Chapter 1

Caleb's grip on my hand tightened sharply when the repairman pulled a piece of sensual lingerie from the washing machine's drain.

It wasn't my size.

The repairman looked a bit awkward. "You should probably handwash these kinds of things in the future. A washing machine doesn't really get them clean, does it?"

Caleb held my hand so tightly, as if he was terrified I'd lose it the next second and completely humiliate him in front of a stranger.

But I didn't react at all. I just smiled gently.

"The repairman is right. I definitely won't do it again."

After the repairman left, I picked up the lingerie from the floor. The wet, cold, clammy touch on my fingertips made me sick to my stomach.

I examined it closely, trying to imagine what kind of woman would wear such a thing.

And what kind of woman would steal away Caleb, the man who once said he'd die for me?

"Caleb."

My voice was hoarse.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Truth be told, Caleb was never good at hiding things.

He tried to be careful, but emotions are impossible to conceal.

Just like when he used to love me.

The peach scent he accidentally picked up, the adjusted passenger seat...

Each detail pricked at my heart, not enough to kill me, but enough to hurt.

The real moment I realized he might have strayed was during a shopping trip to the mall.

He was a fitness fanatic, meticulous about his body fat percentage, never cared for things.

But when we were ordering, he suggested:

"Let's get the peach iced coffee. It's their new flavor."

I looked at him and said softly, "I'm allergic to peaches."

He froze, then hugged me, sounding guilty. "I'm so sorry... I'll put it in my notes app right now, I promise I'll never forget again..."

At that moment, in his cedar-scented embrace, my heart refused to settle.

More than trying to figure out who he'd had peach iced coffee with, what hurt me was that he needed a reminder just to remember my allergies.

The young man who used to remember everything about me felt like a distant dream.

But looking at Caleb, silent with his head bowed, all my questions got stuck in my throat, choked by his silence.

What was the point of asking?

What if...

I pointed to the lingerie on the floor and said softly, "You can clean that up. I have plans tonight, so I won't be back."

I'd take that chance... just one last opportunity, for the Caleb of our youth.

Caleb let out a sigh of relief and began cleaning up.

In the living room, my thoughts drifted.

I have bipolar disorder. At my worst, my studies almost completely halted.

My parents even gave up on me, leaving me to fend for myself, but Caleb caught the blade as I cut my wrist.

Our blood mingled as he said hoarsely, "If you die, I'll die with you. I won't live alone. Please, just live. For me."

Later, my condition stabilized. I finished my studies and built my own career.

Caleb was always there.

The love of our youth, his companionship later on, became the reason my heart softened now.

It made me willing to take that chance for him, until I saw it with my own eyes.

My assistant, Maria, called.

"Eleanor, that expense you asked me to look into? I found it. Caleb used the company account to buy clothes for that woman. The shipping address is on record. I'll send it to you."