Chapter 1

After I went abroad, I heard that every lover Bradley found resembled me.

When people mentioned me, his friends would say, "As long as Bradley's first love Elliott is willing to return home, no other woman stands a chance."

Until Bradley found a newly debuted starlet who didn't resemble me in the slightest.

Yet she was the first girlfriend he ever publicly acknowledged.

That year, I hurried back home.

Everyone waited to watch me regret my choices and beg Bradley desperately.

Even Bradley hinted at me indirectly, "Elliott, your timing for coming back isn't great."

But they didn't know I wasn't here to fight for Bradley.

I came back to get married.

Walking out of the airport, I spotted Bradley in the crowd immediately.

He wore a coat, his features more mature than when I'd left years ago.

But the expression on his face was far too complex.

"They said you were coming back. I thought it was fake news."

I stopped with my suitcase, responding coolly, "Just back to handle some things."

Bradley took the suitcase from my hands.

"Your father asked me to pick you up. Don't misunderstand."

I nodded and followed him to the underground parking garage.

On the way, I checked my phone. The group chat that had been silent for ages had exploded.

【Did Bradley really go pick up Elliott? Is it true? Elliott's back?】

【What about Bradley's current girlfriend, that starlet named Wilkinson? Did he dump her?】

【Do you even need to ask? And why do you think Elliott suddenly came back? Obviously to steal him back!】

【Wilkinson's nothing. At most she's just Bradley's novelty. Now that Elliott's back, I'll eat my words if that starlet gets so much as a glance from him.】

【I've met Wilkinson. Don't underestimate her. Anyone who can lock down Bradley is ruthless.】

Bradley noticed my constantly vibrating phone too.

He glanced at the messages and said to me, "Elliott, your timing really isn't great. I already have a girlfriend."

My hand froze on the passenger door handle.

I opened the back door instead.

Only two words left my mouth: "Congratulations."

Bradley slammed his door particularly hard.

That's when I realized—after all these years, he'd learned to smoke.

The Bradley of the past had been so disciplined. No smoking, no drinking, no wild nights.

But in the years I'd been abroad, I'd heard about at least a dozen of his flings.

Bradley's phone rang. A sweet, cloying female voice came through.

"Bradley, I'm exhausted on set. Can you come pick me up?"

"Send me the address."

"Love you."

Bradley hung up and smiled at me. "You don't mind if I make a detour to pick up my girlfriend, do you?"

"Of course not."

I should never have gotten in his car.

Bradley parked near the film set.

In the bustling crowd, I spotted Wilkinson immediately.

She was too striking.

Even bundled up completely, people could recognize her at a glance.

Fans were taking photos along the way. Wilkinson pulled down her mask slightly, smiling brilliantly. "Thank you. My boyfriend's a civilian—could you guys please not photograph him?"

The fans jeered, "We heard your boyfriend is Bradley. Is it true?"

Wilkinson didn't deny it, just put her index finger to her lips in a shushing gesture.

After she got in the car, she took off her sunglasses and kissed Bradley's cheek.

"Bradley, have you been waiting long?"

Her eyes shifted to me. "And you are?"

I smiled politely. "Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Elliott, a friend of Bradley's."

Wilkinson's smile deepened. "Elliott, I hear people mention you all the time."

Bradley naturally fastened her seatbelt for her.

"Sit tight, I'm about to drive."

Wilkinson said coquettishly, "Look at me, always forgetting. You have to do it for me every time."

I turned my gaze to the window, not watching their affection.

The car hadn't been driving long when Wilkinson initiated conversation.

"Elliott, in all these years abroad, did you ever have a boyfriend?"

I answered frankly, "I did."

"See, I knew it. Elliott, you're as beautiful as a celebrity. You've never lacked admirers, right?

"Like Bradley—he was the one who pursued me. His friends all say I'm different to Bradley, that I'm someone he especially favors.

"I just don't understand—do they mean Bradley has some first love? I heard you and Bradley grew up together. You must know who his first love is. Tell me?"

She looked at me, her eyes more scrutinizing than curious.

Bradley frowned. "I don't have any first love. They're just joking around."

Wilkinson pouted and unhappily started playing with her phone.

The rest of the ride was silent.

When Bradley dropped me off at home, he didn't even get out of the car.

He rolled down his window and said casually, "My girlfriend's upset. I need to placate her. I won't go in. Say hi to your parents for me."

I was about to leave when Wilkinson suddenly called out to me.

"Elliott, let's add each other on social media."

She added, "You add me, so you don't end up not accepting my request."