Just because I was the "princess" he called me, I was expected to give everything up for Flora.

Julian held a peeled grape to my lips, but I turned my head away.

He raised an eyebrow, his cool eyes filled with confusion. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

I lowered my gaze, trying to keep my voice steady. "Nothing's wrong. Let's break up."

But my words were swallowed by the sudden blast of music from the karaoke machine. When I looked up again, Flora was standing in front of us.

"Thank you."

"What?"

The room was so loud that Flora had to lean in close to his ear, the front of her dress revealing a tempting sliver of skin.

My face went cold. I stood up, pulling Chloe over to the song selection screen, and started scrolling aimlessly.

"Willow, what is wrong with you? Who made you upset? It's not about the dress, is it?"

Julian leaned casually against the machine. He was asking me, but his eyes were scanning the screen.

I let out a cold laugh and queued up the "Happy Birthday" song, moving it to the top of the list.

"Were you looking for this?"

Eighteen years was also long enough for me to know exactly how he thought.

Julian froze, looking a little surprised. After all, I usually got jealous and angry whenever he was with Flora.

He kissed my forehead as a reward. "My little sweetheart is finally growing up."

I subtly wiped my forehead, erasing the warmth of his lips.

He still didn't get it. It wasn't that I had grown up. It was that I was learning not to care.

Julian tapped the screen, and the deafening rock anthem that was playing came to an abrupt halt.

The cheerful tune of "Happy Birthday" filled the room. Flora looked at him, her face filled with surprised delight.

"Today is the 18th birthday of our resilient little wildflower! Let's all wish her a happy birthday!"

The room erupted. One of the guys even grabbed a fruit platter and knelt before her like a knight.

But her eyes met Julian's across the crowded room, silently mouthing "thank you."

"Since it's her 18th birthday, she has to have a present."

Someone said it, and everyone started fumbling through their pockets.

Julian's gaze swept the room and finally landed on my wrist.

"Sweetheart, you've been wearing that bracelet for years. This is a good chance to give it away. I'll buy you a new one."

I froze, then looked at him in disbelief.

"Julian, are you sure?"

That was the bracelet he gave me when he first asked me out. It was a promise bracelet. No matter how many expensive ones my family gifted me, I had never taken it off.

And now, Julian himself was asking me to give it away.

"Of course, I'm sure. That style is so old. It doesn't suit you anymore."

He reached out casually to unclasp it. I stood there silently and let him take it.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, Julian personally fastened the bracelet onto Flora's wrist.

At that exact moment, the lights went out, and a waiter wheeled in a birthday cake that was at least ten tiers high.

No matter how strong I tried to be, my eyes started to burn.

Even the cake was the same style as mine. Julian really couldn't bear to see her feel wronged in any way.

I was done watching this prince-and-cinderella charade. I pushed the door open and walked out.

Chloe, unable to stand seeing me upset, intentionally shouted after me.

"Willow, where are you going?"

The next second, Julian dropped Flora's hand and hurried after me.