But why?

He didn't love her at all, that was clear as day, yet he acted like he was head over heels. Didn't that wear him out?

She'd been holed up in this plain little apartment for over two weeks now.The doctor said she was stable during the last check-up, buIt her body had taken a serious hit and needed extra TLC. No more drama, he warned.

She decided to leave but not now. . She needed a solid plan first.

One day, Lucius dropped by.

"Chris has been stuck in the hospital for half a month. My dad's been staying with him, giving you some breathing room." Lucius was as cool as ever.

,He was always so unflappable, like a calm stream.

Chris, in contrast, was a mix of fire and ice.Amelia brought over two cups of coffee. "Thanks a ton, both of you. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would've happened to me."

She appeared healthier, not as worn out as before.

"No biggie, just a small effort. It wvas mostly your strength and luck that fooled Chris." Shawn crossed his arms, a clear smile in his eyes.

He was a straightforward guy,always smiling at her.

"Are you really sure about this?" Lucius changed the topic. "Once you decide to leave, there's no going back."

Amelia's face darkened, and she pressed her lips together. "Yes, I'm sure."

As soon as she said it, memories with Chris flashed through her mind like a movie.

If her time with Chris was split into ten parts, nine were filled with tears,with just a tiny bit of sweetness at the end.

In the past, even the tiny bit of love was enough to keep her devoted to him.

But now, she had something even more precious to protect.

"I've decided." She looked up at Lucius. "Mr. Howard, thank you so much.

She bowed to him.

When she looked up again, she noticed a different look in Lucius's eyes,something deeper.

Amelia felt a bit uneasy.

This was the first time she'd seen Lucius like this.

"No problem." He suddenly smiled, jokingly saying, "Ill just treat it like watching a show."

And he was also making moves on a chessboard.

In the blink of an eye, four years passed.

At the airport.

A young woman in her prime, dressed in a flowing dark green gown,

appeared gracefully in the crowd1. Her stunning beauty immediately caught everyone's attention, and people couldn't look away.

Not to mention her striking features under her sunglasses or her figure that sparked imagination, just her extraordinary aura was stunning.

"Is that Bella White, the famous painter? Can I get an autograph?"

Someone shouted, and in an instant, fans and non-fans alike swarmed over.

Bella didn't dodge, clearly used to such enthusiasm. She skillfully signed autographs and took photos with fans with her sunglasses on.

Then, she walked into the parking lot in her four-inch red high heels.

"Ms. White, Mr. Howard has alreadly booked the restaurant and is waiting for you," her assistant Sable said with a perfect smile.

Bella finally took< off her sunglasses, revealing her bright eyes.

"Alright, let's get moving." She pulled out a tissue to wipe the dust off her sunglasses, her nude-colored nail polish looking fresh and lively.

Sable watched her through the rearview mirror.

Bella was flawless from head to toe, even a single strand of hair screamed elegance and wealth. She was truly dazzling.

Only someone like her could stand next to Lucius.

They drove out of the airport, and the view outside became broader.

Bella quietly looked at the scenery outside the car window, both familiar and strange.

Her exquisite face showed a hint of melancholy.

It had been four years.

Time flew by so quickly.

It feels like everything has changed, but nothing has really changed.

But this time, she was well-prepared.

"Ms. White, someone is following us," Sable suddenly said.

"Shake them off." Bella instantly became alert and glanced back.

With just one look, she recognized that familiar Porsche 918, Chris's favorite car.

She didn't plan to meet him so soon.

Sable followed her instructions and sped up.

But her skills were limited and no match for Chris.

They quickly entered a busy area, and as the red light turned on, there was only a black business car between the two vehicles,perfectly blocking the view.

"Let's switch seats; I'll drive." Bella's voice was calm, without a trace of panic.

Sable instinctively agreed, only realizing how obedient she had been after getting õut of the car, even though she only ever took orders from Lucius.

"Ms. White, could you slow..." Before Sable could finish her sentence,the light turned green, and the car sped off, making her heart race.

She quickly grabbed the hanadle, her face turning pale with fear. "Slow down, please!"

She had never driven so fast before! She doubted that her cherished car could handle this speed.

She glanced at Bella, who remained indifferent, her profile as beautiful as a movie star's.

Even though she had seen it many times, she still couldn't look directly at Bella's nearly perfect face, her heart pounding.

"Why panic?" Bella smirked, glancing at the rearview mirror. The car was already a hundred feet behind.

But it wasn't enough.

It would only take a few minutes to catch up.

"Let's see if you can catch me." She grinned wickedly, as if entering the most thrilling virtual game.

She pressed the accelerator, changed lanes, and turned right. Her movements were as smooth as silk.

Five minutes later, the car turned into a narrow alley, weaving through twists and turns, finally shaking off Chris.

They arrived at the restaurant just in time.

"Are you alright?" Bella crossed her arms, glancing at the person beside her.

Sable's face was pale, clutching her chest, still recovering from the thrilling ride.

"Well, I think I feel better now." Sable forced a smile. "But Ms. White, can I make a small request?"

"Go ahead."

"Next time you drive, can you not go so fast?" Sable was almost in tears.

She had never felt such intense fear before, her heart nearly jumping out of her chest.

Bella raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Sure."

She would leave next time's matters for next time.

The elevator ascended, soon reaching the 22nd floor.

The doors opened, and they entered,with Sable politely stepping back.

"Mr. Howard." Bella respectfully greeted.