Kaia’s ears filled with a deafening roar. Her breath caught in her throat.

Julian looked at her and let out a heavy sigh. "From the very beginning, your relationship was doomed."

"In our world, family and status are everything. No one can escape this invisible rule, not even Kaelan Vaughn."

"And you, whether it's your background, your job, or your prospects… you are not worthy of him."

Family status. Invisible rules.

Tears welled up in Kaia's eyes again.

They say love can conquer all, but sometimes, that’s only because the obstacles aren't difficult enough.

Love never stood a chance against reality.

The snow outside was falling harder, as if trying to bury the entire city of New York.

Kaia watched it, her voice hoarse. "What kind of person is she?"

Julian was taken aback. "Who?"

"Kaelan Vaughn's… fiancée." Saying those words felt like swallowing shards of glass.

Julian watched her expression carefully, then spoke slowly. "Her name is Sienna Thorne. Her family background is on par with the Vaughns. Like Kaelan, she didn't follow her family into politics. Instead, she started her own pharmaceutical company. Her assets… are immense."

Julian's low voice recounted the smooth, successful life of another woman.

So this was what it meant to be a perfect match.

Kaia stared blankly at the humble rental she had once treasured, her eyes growing desolate and pained.

Her voice was barely a whisper. "Do you… have a picture of her?"

"No, but I can take you to see her." Julian hoped this would finally make her give up. "On New Year's Day, we're all going to the suburbs to set off fireworks. Sienna will be there too."

Kaia didn't want to go.

Call it cowardice, call it avoidance, she didn't want to expose her vulnerability in front of her rival, even if Sienna probably didn't even know she existed.

But things needed to come to an end.

Seeing her in person would be like drawing the final period on this false, bubble-like romance with her own hand.

"Thank you, I’d appreciate that…"

…

On New Year's Day, the heavy snow that had blanketed New York for days finally stopped.

When Julian drove Kaia to the suburbs, it was nearing midnight.

At a deserted, closed-off road, several priceless cars were parked.

The new generation of New York's elite stood around in small groups, chatting and laughing in front of their cars.

Kaia spotted him immediately. Kaelan Vaughn, in a black wool overcoat, was the center of attention.

Beside him, a woman with long, straight black hair and a gentle, elegant demeanor had her arm linked intimately with his.

That must be Sienna Thorne. They looked… so perfect together.

A sharp pain pierced Kaia’s heart, so intense it made her face turn pale.

Julian saw it and said with concern, "Kaia…"

Before he could finish, someone came over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Julian, what took you so long—"

His eyes landed on Kaia, and he teased, "Oh, so you were picking up a girl."

"We meet again, Ms. Storm. Good evening."

Kaia recognized him from the brownstone. She tried her best to force a smile.

"Stop hitting on her," Julian said, smoothly pulling the man's shoulder and looking towards Kaelan. "Kaelan, everyone's here. Should we start?"

Kaia followed his gaze to Kaelan.

She saw the man give a casual wave. When his eyes met hers, they lingered for only half a second before coolly moving away.

It was more indifferent than the look one gives a stranger.

Then he turned his head and whispered something to Sienna. Whatever he said made the corners of her lips curve up.

They were only a few steps away, but in that moment, Kaia felt that Kaelan was a world away from her.

And she once again recognized the insurmountable chasm between them.

"BOOM—"

A large firework suddenly exploded, followed by a continuous, dazzling display in the night sky.

"New Year's is here, the holidays are officially over. Sienna, want to make a wish?" someone in the crowd teased.

Sienna smiled gently. "Who makes wishes on fireworks?"

She said that, but the look she gave Kaelan was full of affection.

"What about Ms. Storm?" someone else asked Kaia. "Such beautiful fireworks, you have to make a wish. It would be a waste otherwise."

Kaia paused, forcing herself not to look at Kaelan.

After a few seconds, she looked up at the brilliant fireworks in the sky and said, "My wish is… for the one I love to have all his desires fulfilled, and to never have any regrets."

Then, under the slightly surprised gazes of the crowd, she took off the little rabbit charm from her keychain, clutched it in her palm—

And threw it with all her might into the distance.