I honestly couldn't figure out what went on in his head.

I was born into the Hayes family. I was born with a silver spoon. I was raised by my family's endless affection.

I could swap handbags every day, or even throw one away after using it once, and I would still have the means.

Where did he get the idea that he had the right to comment on my life?

What gave him the nerve to expect me to acknowledge him?

"Get him out," I ordered the security guard directly, ignoring Leo's angry shouts.

"Don't let him come near me again."

The security guards moved quickly, grabbing Leo and removing him.

Leo was still yelling insults, but I didn't care.

Back home, a strange message appeared on my phone.

It was a video. I opened it.

The setting looked like a bar. The angle was discreet, probably a hidden recording.

But it didn't matter. I could see Julian Vance clearly in the video.

"Mr. Vance, was that Ms. Hayes calling? Why didn't you answer?"

Aubrey Reed sat close to Julian. They were practically touching.

"Didn't want to deal with it," Julian said, his voice dismissive. "Always throwing a tantrum."

"If only she were half as sensible as you, Aubrey."

Julian's voice was as cold and distant as ever.

His voice was beautiful. For a while, I suffered from insomnia.

Julian would call me every night, no matter how busy he was.

He'd talk to me until I fell asleep before going back to work.

Even when he first took over the company and was busiest, he always did that.

His voice, which used to be like honey to me, now felt like a poisoned dagger.

Stabbing me again and again.

I don't know how I got back to my room.

I went crazy, smashing everything Julian had ever given me.

It wasn't until Mom hugged me, crying, that I realized I had cuts all over my body, bleeding.

I hugged Mom back, unable to make a sound.

When I was little, Mom and Dad were busy. Julian was the one who mostly took care of me.

You could say Julian raised me.

He knew everything about what I liked. What food I loved, what I hated.

I was a picky eater, but if Julian told me to eat something I didn't like, I would force it down, even with a miserable face.

Julian taught me how to write. Julian helped me with my homework.

Julian Vance loved me for so many years.

Julian Vance was also the one who hurt me the most.

Mr. and Mrs. Vance came back quickly.

Dad and Mom took me to the Vance family home.

I didn't expect Julian to be there.

Even more surprising, Aubrey Reed was with him.

Julian seemed genuinely startled to see me and my parents there.

He looked visibly flustered. His voice was hurried.

"Olivia... Mr. and Mrs. Hayes."

"Ms. Hayes, please don't misunderstand," Aubrey Reed said quickly. "I just came with Mr. Vance to pick up some documents."

No one in the room paid any attention to her.

Julian quickly walked over to me.

He reached out to take my hand, but I pulled it away.

He immediately knelt down beside me, looking at me cautiously.

I ignored him and looked at Mr. and Mrs. Vance.

"Mr. Vance," I said, my voice calm and steady, "as we discussed earlier, I'd like to call off the engagement with Julian."