Chapter 2

I spent a tormenting night alone in my apartment.

But I still couldn’t get past it.

I had just graduated college.

I was supposed to have a bright future ahead of me.

I was supposed to propose to Anya, the woman I loved most.

But I never would have imagined things would turn out like this.

I didn’t want to be the other man.

Without a word to Anya, I packed my bags and left the country.

Over the next few years abroad, I pursued various advanced degrees. A billionaire investor noticed me, gave me a billion dollars, and sent me back home to spearhead market expansion.

I assumed Anya would have forgotten about me after all these years.

But as soon as she heard I was returning, she immediately wanted to arrange a celebration.

I arrived at the private room Anya had booked.

Before I even entered, I heard her talking with her friends:

“Anya, your company was on the verge of collapse all these years, drowning in countless headaches that nearly broke you. It’s thanks to Marcus’s unwavering support and his constant, loyal presence that you managed to pull through. I’m so jealous you have such a wonderful husband.”

“Seriously! If my husband was even half as good as Marcus, I’d wake up smiling every day.”

“Your tenth wedding anniversary with Marcus is coming up. Are you going to go all out this time?”

“Yeah, Marcus has poured his heart and soul into supporting you all these years, he’s lost so much weight. I really think you should make a big deal out of your tenth anniversary. It would make him so happy.”

Anya remained silent for a long time, then finally spoke:

“Marcus is truly good, but our marriage was arranged by our families. It’s not the kind of love I truly wanted.”

Her friends frowned, one after another:

“Anya, what are you saying? You’re not still hung up on Julian, are you?”

At the mention of my name, another friend, Chloe, immediately contorted her face in disgust:

“Don’t even talk about him!”

“Back then, when Anya’s company was on the brink of collapse, she still gave him the paltry thirty million dollars, her last resort, to save herself. But what did he do? He just took the money and vanished without a trace, didn't even send a breakup text!”

“That kind of man is absolutely not worth trusting. Even if you like someone, it shouldn't be him!”

I stood outside the door, my stomach churning.

So, when I left, Anya was facing financial ruin.

But even in that dire situation, she still transferred thirty million dollars to me.

How could she be so foolish?

That was her life-saving fund!

All these years I’d been gone, I’d never regretted my decision.

I even felt that her hiding the truth and being with me behind her husband’s back was just her playing me for a fool.

But in that moment, a wave of bitter regret washed over me.

I took a deep breath, composed myself.

Then, I pushed open the door.

The chatter in the room instantly died.

Seeing that it was me who walked in, everyone stared at me with a strange, scrutinizing gaze.

One of them asked cautiously:

“Julian, when did you get back?”

I masked the turmoil inside, offering a faint smile:

“Just got back.”

“Hmph!”

Before I could say anything more, Chloe snorted:

“How dare you show your face here?”

“When Anya’s company was on the brink of collapse, you just bolted without a word.”

“Now that Anya’s company is back on its feet, are you thinking of coming back to swindle her out of more money so you can live it up overseas again?”

My face burned. I could only explain:

“I didn’t know Anya was in that situation back then. If I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have left.”

Chloe’s voice rose several octaves as she yelled at me:

“You didn’t know?”

“I saw you run faster than a rabbit back then!”

“You heartless jerk, you don’t deserve to be here, and you certainly don’t deserve to be in front of Anya!”

Another friend chimed in:

“Exactly! You knew Anya had a husband, but you still chose to be the other man. Weren’t you just after her money?”

“You don’t belong here!”