Chapter 1The Guardian's Secret

After years of chasing after my guardian, Julian, I finally gathered the courage to confess my feelings on my birthday.

But his face darkened with anger. "Sarah, don't forget your last name."

Yet, three years ago, at a gala, he had pulled me into his arms, whispering in my ear, "When you grow up, let's get engaged, okay?"

I took his drunken words to heart, but he forgot them.

On the day he publicly announced his engagement to his long-lost "white moonlight," I showed up with a suitcase.

Someone smirked, looking between us, asking how I felt.

For the first time, I broke character.

"I wish my uncle all the happiness in the world. From now on, I'll be studying abroad."

He crushed the glass in his hand, his eyes darkening for the first time.

Later, he canceled the engagement and stopped me on a street in Paris, bowing his head in defeat for the first time.

"It was my mistake. Please, come home with me."

* * *

"Thank you, Professor Miller. I've decided not to pursue the dance program abroad. The opportunity should go to someone who needs it more."

After replying to the text, I exhaled deeply, the heavy burden in my heart finally lifting.

Professor Miller at NYU had been recommending me for an exchange program in London to study dance.

But my current physical condition could no longer support my dream of becoming a dancer.

A cold wind blew past, and I couldn't stop coughing.

When I pulled the tissue away, it was soaked in blood.

Before stepping into the elevator, I crumpled the tissue and threw it into the trash can.

Today was my nineteenth birthday. I couldn't let Julian see this.

Three years ago, at a charity gala, he held my hand tight and said he would wait for me to grow up.

I had waited for this day for too long.

My phone buzzed. It was Julian.

"Sarah, are you home yet?"

Julian is my guardian, my "uncle" in name only.

I couldn't help but smile, my voice lightening. "Not yet, I'm just unlocking the door."

His voice sounded unusually tired.

"Happy Birthday. I have something to do tonight, but I'll be back before midnight."

I understood. I opened the door.

The lights turned on, revealing pink flowers and blue balloons filling the room.

On the table sat a high-quality blue velvet box, containing the blue agate necklace I had pestered him to buy last month.

It was exactly as I expected. My mood lifted, and my courage grew.

"Uncle Julian, I... I want to tell you something."

"I've kept this in my heart for a long time."

Before I could confess, the line went dead.

I lowered my eyes, quickly adjusting my emotions.

Still full of anticipation, I put the necklace back in the box, waiting for him to come back and put it on me himself.

When the clock struck twelve, Julian didn't come.

This was the first time he had completely missed my birthday.

I felt a moment of daze. He must be too tired, that's why he didn't make it back.

Counting carefully, this was my tenth year living with Julian.

When my parents died, rumors swirled that they had crossed the wrong people, leading to their gruesome ends.

The once-pampered daughter of the Cloud family fell into the mud overnight.

My father's life work was devoured by the "uncles" and business partners he once drank with.

I knocked on door after door, begging for help.

But no one in New York dared to take in an orphan girl left with nothing but massive debt.

On the day of the funeral, only Julian came to pay his respects, dressed in black.

I had never seen him before. Rumor had it his family was long gone, and he was a dangerous man from the underworld.

He reached out his hand, his eyelashes lowered.

"If you're willing, you can come with me."

And so, he raised me for ten years.