Chapter 2

When I first met Julian, he wasn't the hotshot tech entrepreneur he is today.

He was just the quiet kid from the wrong side of the tracks, wearing a faded uniform, bullied by everyone.

One day, a few older teens cornered him in an alley, pelting him with plastic water bottles.

"Isn't your grandma a trash collector? We're helping you out, how are you gonna thank us?"

"Filthy garbage brings out filthy kids, you reek!"

A surge of compassion overwhelmed me, and I stepped in front of him.

"His grandma works hard to send him to school, there's no shame in that."

"What's shameful is your parents finding out you're bullies!"

After that, I started sharing half of my mom's breakfast with him every day.

I tutored him, oversaw his studies.

We even worked part-time jobs together.

He became my constant shadow, my loyal "knight," looking out for me.

In our senior year of college, he bought a silver ring with tiny diamond chips, paid for with money from his part-time jobs.

He knelt on one knee in front of me.

"Evie, when I make it big, I'll get you a diamond ring that'll make this one look tiny. Will you... will you be with me?"

Smiling, I slid my finger into the ring.

"Okay, Julian. I'll wait."

On our wedding day, his family kept making him drink, one after another.

He drank until his steps faltered and his mind grew hazy.

But he still swore an oath to the heavens in front of my parents and relatives.

"I, Julian, will only marry Evie in this life, and love only Evie. May I be struck by lightning and never find peace if I break this—"

That day, I stopped his foolish vow with a kiss.

Amidst the cheers and blessings of our families.

I felt like the happiest woman in the world.

He continued to be wonderful for years.

Even when his company was swamped, he never forgot to surprise me.

He even took my parents on trips and helped my relatives' kids find jobs.

He always did his best to be good to me.

And that's how he managed to fool everyone.

Blair Jensen was a student I started sponsoring after I began working, someone I personally introduced to him.

In the first few years of Julian's company, he was incredibly busy, constantly on the go.

Coming home late at night, he always reeked of smoke and alcohol.

"Evie, everyone below me is an absolute idiot..."

I massaged his temples, and Blair came to mind.

She was smart, diligent, with a stubborn refusal to ever give up visible in her eyes.

"Why don't you let Blair help you? She's meticulous and trustworthy."

And just like that, Blair joined his company.

Because I knew her background so well, she gradually took over some highly confidential, yet mundane, tasks.

Julian didn't have to micromanage her, and sure enough, his workload lessened significantly.

He even found time to join me in the lab.

Watching me tinker with different machine models, he would hold me from behind, his voice full of emotion.

"When I was a kid, I always wished for a superhero to save me, to defeat all the monsters that bullied me."

"But then, I stopped wishing for it."

I turned my head to ask him why.

"Because my superhero, you, came into my life in my sophomore year of high school."

From that day on, in addition to my research, I wanted to create a surprise for him.

I began integrating the concept of 'protection' into my model.

As a gift for him.

Later, his career took off.

Blair became a frequent guest at our home.

She often brought documents, sometimes asking me for advice on technical issues.

I never held anything back.

Our relationship grew closer and closer.

She often brought me gifts, and never missed a single one of my birthdays.

"Evie, I wouldn't be where I am today without you. Mr. Thorne trusts me, and I would never want to let you down."

My own research was entering its most critical phase.

It was my turn to practically live in the lab.

She often took Julian's place, bringing me meals to the lab.

I thought she was simply grateful, wanting to repay my kindness.

Until that globally recognized model design competition.

I saw my work, proudly bearing the name 'Alex.'

And saw Blair Jensen's name listed as the sole creator in the project description.