**Chapter 1**
Mr. Blake, the contract is signed. As agreed, we will arrange a simulated death service for you in seventeen days.
In the reception room, the staff handed me the freshly drafted paper contract. I took it, flipped through it casually, and confirmed with them again, Will the body for the fake death resemble me?
The staff member offered a confident smile and solemnly assured me, “Don’t worry, sir. The body is custom-made to your exact measurements. No one will ever suspect a thing.”
Reassured, I finally relaxed. I pulled my card from my wallet, paid with a grand sweep of my hand, and then turned to leave.
Stepping out, the first thing I saw was a luxurious, elongated limousine. The chauffeur, who had been waiting, hurried to open the door respectfully. “Young Master Julian.”
I nodded in acknowledgment and directly settled into the backseat of the luxury car. The chauffeur closed the door for me, then returned to the driver’s seat and restarted the engine.
The car moved smoothly, finally pulling up outside the Blake family mansion.
This was the house I’d specifically bought to live with Aria Vance.
Not long after I returned, the villa’s front door opened again.
A slender woman walked in, dressed in a form-fitting white dress. Her cool silhouette was as straight as a pine, her features exquisite, yet her demeanor was distant and aloof, keeping everyone at arm’s length.
She unhurriedly adjusted her skirt, walked directly toward me, grabbed my arm, and started pulling me towards the bedroom.
“Aria Vance, wait!”
To my surprise, the next second, I struggled fiercely, pulling my hand from her grasp.
Aria’s eyes, deep and cool as moonlight, fixed on me. She seemed not to understand what I wanted now. “You don’t want to? Making me sleep with you every day—wasn’t that your condition when you ‘bought’ me?”
“Recently… no, not for now. I’m a bit tired lately.”
I lowered my head, lying, my words mumbled. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to care, simply saying, “Then I’ll go back to work.”
Aria had indeed been very busy recently. She was preparing for a startup project, now in its most critical phase. I didn’t try to stop her, just nodded and let her leave.
I thought she’d be busy all night, but not long after, she received a call and hurried out of her study. Seeing me still in the living room, her steps abruptly halted.
“Since you don’t want me tonight, I’m going out. I have something important to take care of.”
Watching the rare flicker of urgency on her usually indifferent face, I already knew the answer in my heart.
“Something important”? It was only ever for Leo Sterling.
But I said nothing, just nodded.
Given my permission, Aria didn’t linger. She brushed past me as she left in a rush.
She reached the door, about to push it open, when I suddenly called out to her, “Aria Vance, actually, you don’t have to be like this anymore…”
Hearing my voice, Aria instinctively paused, frowning as she stood there, waiting for me to finish. But my voice choked when I met her slightly impatient gaze.
“Just go.”
In the end, I still didn’t say the rest of the sentence. I just told her to leave first. It wasn’t until her figure completely disappeared into the darkness that I spoke again, softly,
“Actually, you don’t have to be like this anymore, because… I’ll be leaving very soon.”
As the scion of a powerful East Coast dynasty, I had money, looks, and physique. I’d done many foolish things,
But the most foolish was buying myself a girlfriend in my freshman year.
She was the undisputed queen of Northwood University, pursued by countless guys from our campus and beyond.
But her personality was indifferent and aloof. She rejected everyone equally, busy only with classes and part-time jobs.
I fell for Aria at first sight, desperate to possess this woman as untouchable as a rare, exquisite bloom. Learning that her parents had died young, and she was raised by her grandmother, who was now gravely ill for years, Aria was juggling multiple jobs to cover exorbitant medical bills. I found her and proposed a deal.
I’d cover her grandmother’s medical expenses. In return, she would be my girlfriend, come home every night, and… satisfy my desires for as long as I wished.
At that time, her grandmother’s condition was critical, and Aria desperately needed a large sum of money to save her only living relative.
So, she agreed.
Five years had passed. Aria and I had both graduated from college and started working, but our relationship hadn’t changed.
Grandma Rose’s illness wasn’t cured yet, and I hadn’t grown bored. Aria still lived in my mansion.
Her attitude towards me remained cold, but I hadn’t lost hope, believing that with persistence, I could one day melt the ice in her heart.
It wasn’t until I accidentally fell down the stairs and hit my head a few days ago that I awakened, realizing I was living inside a novel.
Aria Vance was the main female lead, and Leo Sterling, her childhood sweetheart, was the main male lead.
And I? I was just the villainous second male lead!
According to the novel’s plot, Aria’s startup project, which she was currently preparing, would achieve massive success in seventeen days. She would skyrocket to the top as a new commercial titan, later becoming a business mogul!
And the first thing she would do after her success was to give me a large sum of money and break up with me.
But I wouldn’t agree. I’d cling to her, and later, seeing her and Leo grow increasingly intimate, I’d grow jealous, constantly sabotaging and tormenting Leo, until Aria utterly despised me and I met a gruesome end on the streets.
I didn’t want to believe such an absurd thing, nor did I believe I’d do something so foolish. But recently, almost every event had unfolded exactly as the novel’s plot described.
And Aria repeatedly abandoning me to be with Leo made me realize that the main male and female leads were destined to fall in love.
After a grueling week of torment, I finally saw reason. I couldn’t gamble with my life.
To completely escape the plot, and to change my ultimate fate, I finally made my decision: I couldn’t love her anymore. I would fake my death and leave this place, leave Aria Vance!
**Chapter 2**
Recalling the future events, I tossed and turned all night. Aria didn’t return that night, and I didn’t call her to check in.
The next day, I woke up early. After washing up, I went downstairs and ate breakfast alone.
The mansion was eerily quiet, save for the faint sounds of me chewing my food. It wasn’t until I finished breakfast that the butler approached me, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
“All the staff have been dismissed as you instructed. I’m also returning to the old estate today. Young Master, are you truly sure you don’t need any household help?”
“No, I don’t,” I shook my head.
Because soon, I wouldn’t be here anymore.
Seeing the butler’s worried gaze, I didn’t explain further. I just went upstairs, retrieved a letter, and handed it to him, asking him to deliver it to my parents without fail.
I was afraid my parents would be too heartbroken after my fake death, so I explained my plan to them in the letter.
The letter clearly stated that I would be leaving for another country in seventeen days to live under a new identity, assuring my parents not to worry. When the time was right, I would secretly return to visit them.
I hadn’t considered taking my parents with me, but they were older, and their life’s work was all here.
Moreover, my “awakening” was too outlandish to explain in a few words; they’d just think I’d lost my mind.
And if my parents also disappeared, I was afraid Aria might grow suspicious. So, after weighing all options, I decided to let my parents stay here, and I would leave alone.
After arranging everything on my end, I began to make arrangements for Aria.
Once all the staff were dismissed, I took some fruit and went to visit Grandma Rose.
I never put on airs. Over the years, whenever I had free time, I would visit Grandma Rose, always bringing her gifts, chatting with her to ease her boredom, and even teaching her how to use a SnapChat so she could see the outside world without leaving her home.
So, compared to Aria’s coldness, Grandma Rose was very fond of me.
“Julian, when are you and Aria going to tie the knot?”
When Grandma Rose brought up the question again, the usual embarrassment on my face was replaced by a bitter smile.
Marriage? Not in this lifetime.
Not only would I be gone in seventeen days, but even if I stayed, I’d likely face the same ending as in the original book.
Aria’s heart belonged to Leo Sterling; how could she possibly marry me?
Seeing my silence, Grandma Rose couldn’t help but sigh, yet she still offered words of comfort. “I know my granddaughter. Aria isn’t completely without feelings for you, but the beginning of your relationship wasn’t pure. There must be a barrier in her heart. Once that barrier is broken down, you two will surely be happy together.”
I forced a smile, listening to Grandma Rose’s comforting words.
I knew the original plot, and I knew that Aria’s love had always been for Leo Sterling alone.
The female lead only loves the male lead; how could she ever fall for the villainous second male lead?
In the end, I said nothing, nor did I refute Grandma Rose’s words. I simply pulled out a card.
“Grandma, please give this card to Aria whenever you get a chance.”
This card was originally a startup fund I had prepared for Aria a long time ago. I had hesitated about how to give it to her, worried it might bruise her pride. Now that I had awakened and decided to leave, I would just have Grandma Rose pass it on.
I hoped that this way, Aria might remember some kindness from me, and after my “fake death,” she wouldn’t… disrespect my remains.
Grandma Rose noticed something was off with me, and asked with concern, “Did you and Aria argue again?”
I shook my head. “No argument. It’s just that in a while, I’m going to a very distant place…”
My words were cut short by a cool voice.
“What distant place are you going to?”
**Chapter 3**
I turned my head sharply, just in time to see Aria Vance behind me, a stormy look on her face.
And beside her stood Leo Sterling.
I shifted my gaze, casually finding an excuse to brush her off: “I’m going on a trip soon.”
In Aria’s eyes, the two things I loved most were being with her, and traveling the world.
So, hearing my answer, she composed herself, didn’t press for details, and smoothly took Leo to sit by Grandma Rose’s bedside, subtly squeezing me to the farthest corner.
“Grandma, you wouldn’t believe it, but Aria is so stingy! On the way here, I just wanted an ice cream, and she wouldn’t even buy it for me. You really need to talk to her!”
Leo started complaining as soon as he sat down, pouting and recounting his grievances. Aria shot him a helpless glance, her words a rebuttal, yet filled with concern for him. “Still talking? Have you forgotten your stomach issues again? And you still dared to eat cold things! I wonder who was in agony with a stomachache last time, swearing they’d never touch anything cold again and begging me to keep an eye on you—remember that?”
Leo chuckled, winking, and her eyes filled with nothing but doting affection for him.
Though there were four people present, once Aria and Leo arrived, her gaze was entirely fixed on him. Squeezed to the very end, I watched their easy, natural interaction, and couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.
It was always like this. Between them, I was forever the outsider.
But I wouldn’t feel sad like before anymore.
This time, I had let go of everything, let go of Aria, and let go of all my love for her, giving her back completely to the main male lead.
Grandma Rose noticed the fleeting hint of loneliness in my eyes, then glanced at Aria, who was deliberately ignoring me. She sighed inwardly. “Aria, Julian, I’d like some grapes. Could you two wash some for me, please?”
With Grandma Rose’s request, neither Aria nor I would refuse. She picked up the fruit basket from the bedside table, and we walked out of the room one after the other. But as soon as I stepped out, her hand shot out, clamping around my wrist.
I was surprised that she initiated physical contact today. The next second, I heard her icy words: “You should visit Grandma less often. I may have sold myself to you, but my grandma hasn’t.”
That single sentence instantly made my hopeful thoughts crumble into a bitter joke. A dull ache settled in my chest. If it were before, I would have rushed to explain that Grandma Rose was elderly and often lonely, and with Aria being so busy, I had no ulterior motives, just wanted to keep her company.
But now, I just lowered my head, my voice calm. “Alright.”
After saying that, I didn’t wait for her and headed straight for the pantry, unlike before when I would insist on walking with her.
Watching my retreating figure, a strange feeling arose in Aria Vance’s heart:
Since yesterday, his actions seemed to have… changed.
**Chapter 4**
After washing the fruit, Aria and I returned to the hospital room. We chatted for a while, and then everyone prepared to leave. As we stepped out of the hospital, Leo Sterling spoke first,
“Aria, Mr. Blake, it’s almost dinnertime. Why don’t we all go eat together?”
Aria naturally wouldn’t refuse Leo’s suggestion. As for me, perhaps not wanting me to act like a spoiled heir and make things difficult for Leo, she accepted on my behalf before I could even open my mouth.
At the restaurant, we followed the waiter to a private room. Aria effortlessly took the menu and began ordering. It wasn’t until all the dishes were served that I realized she had ordered only Leo’s favorites.
Perhaps this was the difference between love and indifference. Even though I once demanded she memorize all my preferences, one was forced, the other was from the heart—a world of difference.
Fortunately, I had anticipated this outcome and wasn’t too disappointed. I just ate in silence, saying nothing.
Halfway through the meal, a sharp phone ring echoed in the private room. Aria took her phone and walked outside. I, however, froze for a moment when I saw the pinky ring on Leo’s hand as he served himself soup.
“Where did you get that pinky ring?”
Leo glanced at the ring on his little finger, seemingly oblivious to its significance, and answered with a smile, “This? Oh, Aria gave it to me. I said it looked good, and she just handed it over.”
At his words, my face instantly darkened.
This pinky ring was a gift I had painstakingly carved, my hands scraped raw in the process, and personally given to Aria on our anniversary.
Inside the ring, a small inscription read:
“Julian Blake will always love Aria Vance.”
I had bared my soul, pouring out my raw, unadulterated love for her, yet she had casually dismissed it, gifting it to Leo Sterling!
A raw, untamed fury surged through me. But the next moment, the novel’s plotline flashed through my mind.
Aria’s heart belonged to Leo Sterling; naturally, she wouldn’t cherish something I gave her. If I were to fret over every little thing now, wouldn’t that just make Aria despise me even more?
It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. I instantly calmed down, reined in my expression, and offered a faint smile.
“It looks great. It suits you.”
Leo had clearly been expecting me to lose it, so a flash of surprise flickered in his eyes.
He gritted his teeth, then suddenly stood up, eagerly ladling out a bowl of soup and offering it to me.
“Mr. Blake, don’t just bury your head in your rice. This seafood soup is excellent; you should try some.”
I’m allergic to seafood. Just as I was about to refuse, I saw Leo’s wrist twist, and the soup bowl crashed to the floor with a loud *smash*.
His eyes welled up, red-rimmed and brimming with a wronged, tearful expression. Before I could even process what Leo was trying to pull, Aria swept past me like a gust of wind, shielding Leo behind her. Then, her gaze, cold as ice, pierced right through me.
“Julian Blake, what are you doing!”
Leo, standing behind her with red eyes, seized the moment to fan the flames. “Aria, it’s all my fault. I upset Julian, so he got angry and threw the soup at me. I’m just a little scalded; it’s fine. Don’t blame him…”
“I didn’t!”
Hearing him twisting the truth, I instantly widened my eyes, wanting to explain. But she utterly ignored me. She shot me a glacial look, spat out, “Julian, you are utterly impossible,” and then, without another word, she pulled Leo by the arm and stormed out.
Watching her cold retreating back and Leo’s triumphant, taunting glint in his eye, I stood frozen, my heart plummeting to rock bottom.
What surprised me even more was that over the next few days, Leo seemed to discover this tactic worked well and got hooked on framing me.
He’d either claim I got him fired from his job, or that I ordered an industry-wide blacklisting against him. He even claimed I hired someone to vandalize his home with paint, making his life a living hell.
Aria kept biting her tongue, until finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. When she got home, she grabbed me by the arm.
“Julian Blake, if you have an issue, deal with me directly. Why target Leo?”
For five years, Aria’s attitude towards me had been consistently cold. This was the first time I’d seen her emotions so openly displayed, but it was all for Leo Sterling.
“I didn’t target him. I didn’t do those things.”
I tried desperately to explain, but she still looked completely unconvinced.
“If not you, then who?! You’re capable of buying a girlfriend; what *aren’t* you capable of?”
“Don’t let there be a next time. I’ve given you everything; why can’t you just leave the people I care about alone?!”
After spitting those words out, Aria, her eyes full of disappointment, refused to say another word to me and walked directly to the guest bedroom.
I watched her retreating back, fighting to suppress the knot of sadness tightening in my chest.
In her heart, I was always the one she didn’t trust.
But besides the sadness, I felt something more: dread.
I only had a few days left before I was gone. But if this continued, I was terrified Aria would actually end me before I could even orchestrate my fake death.
I tossed and turned for half the night. After much deliberation, I finally came up with a plan.
That evening, I drove to Leo Sterling’s apartment.
My first words were:
“Leo Sterling, let’s call a truce. From now on, I’ll help you and Aria get together!”
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