Chapter 1Silent Snow in the Seventh Year

Seven years long-distance. I quit my job, hid it from my boyfriend, and traveled far to Seaview City—for a surprise proposal and wedding.

At the desk, a sharp-eyed receptionist eyed me oddly when I asked for Eric. “He’s in a meeting. Wait.”

I frowned—Eric hadn’t mentioned a promotion. Last week he’d moaned about work stress, saying promotion was distant. Turning, I overheard: “Is that his side piece?” “Brave, showing up here.” “Mrs. Hillman will go mad if she finds out.”

I moved to explain—Eric wasn’t married; I was his real girlfriend. But the door opened, revealing a woman in Chanel. Receptionists fell silent, greeting, “Madam.”

She was on the phone, sweet: “Darling, I’m downstairs. Come get me—prenatal appointment!” A deep, familiar voice replied, adoring: “Alright, my queen. Meeting’s almost over. Wait in the lounge.”

That voice—Eric’s. For seven years. Like my heartbeat.

…

Thud. My handbag slipped from my grasp, hitting the polished marble floor. As I bent to retrieve it, a crumpled prenatal report fluttered from my bag to my feet.

Twelve weeks pregnant. The father's name, printed starkly on the form, was Eric Hillman.

Around that time, Eric had always claimed to be swamped, only picking up my calls once a week. Once, when he finally agreed to a video call, I’d spotted a hickey on his neck. “Mosquito bite,” he’d explained quickly. “Elara, all these years apart, have you ever seen me with anyone else?” I’d believed him, even apologized, blaming my own overthinking.

Now, he was someone else’s husband. And soon, a father.

The woman, noticing the report, picked it up and handed it to me with a polite smile. Seeing me frozen, she asked, “Are you here to see Eric too?” I nodded. “Then let’s go up together. My husband’s meetings always run long.”

That word. Husband. It pierced my heart without warning, leaving a raw, bleeding wound.

In the guest lounge, she introduced herself as Clara Vance, the treasured daughter of the Vance family of Seaview City. “My husband’s just stubborn, always saying he’s too busy, but he comes to every prenatal check-up.” She stroked her belly, her tone complaining but her eyes sparkling with affection. “He’s been working late a lot lately, says he needs to earn enough for the baby’s formula. As if the whole company isn’t his anyway, making up excuses to humor me.”

My knuckles whitened as I clutched my bag, fighting to rein in the burning rage inside. Eric had told me he was just an ordinary employee, sidelined and struggling for promotion. Seven years of long distance, and he’d used the distance as an excuse, constantly postponing our marriage. So, after finishing my last project at work, I’d immediately quit, rushing to Seaview City to marry him.

Footsteps approached from the corridor. Several men in crisp suits passed the guest lounge, nodding respectfully to Clara. “Mrs. Hillman, waiting for Mr. Hillman again?”

When Eric walked into the lounge, his colleagues immediately started teasing him. “Mr. Hillman, your wife’s here to check up on you!”

Clara flung herself into his arms. “Darling, I’ve been waiting so long my back hurts.”

Eric naturally put his arm around her waist. Then he looked up, saw me, and his smile faltered, freezing on his face. It was only a second before he regained his composure, his voice chillingly distant. “What are you doing here?”

Clara turned to me, a curious tilt to her head. “Darling, who is this?”

His colleagues exchanged glances, quickly jumping in to explain for Eric, their voices full of knowing smiles. “What else could she be? Just a friend of Mr. Hillman’s, of course.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Hillman, everyone knows how devoted Mr. Hillman is to you.”

Eric took a step forward, subtly positioning himself between Clara and me. His explanation was polite, yet utterly detached. “She’s a… university acquaintance.” He then turned to his assistant. “Please escort this young lady out. We wouldn’t want to disrupt anyone’s work.”

I stared at him, incredulous. His gaze, however, was entirely fixed on Clara.

As the assistant approached to usher me away, Eric was already taking Clara’s hand, playfully flicking her nose. “Come on, my little queen, let’s get you to your appointment.”

Clara stood on tiptoe to kiss him, her voice a purr. “You’re the best, darling.”

As they passed me, Clara glanced back. “Darling, isn’t it a bit rude to leave your acquaintance standing there?”

Eric didn’t even turn around. “Just a casual acquaintance, hardly important. You are.”

Tears welled, then spilled down my cheeks, uncontrollably. Passing employees watched my humiliation with mocking fascination. Ten years of shared life, seven years of long distance, traveling over a thousand miles… all for a dismissive “casual acquaintance.”

On my phone, a message from Eric, sent just three days ago, still lay unread: Elara, just a little more time. Once my job is stable, I’ll marry you.

For those words, I’d quit my job, traveled across the country. I never imagined it was all a lie.