He Was Her Everything Until He Betrayed Her

Surrounded by business associates, Luke looked irritated as Rosalie hurried over, her face flushed with urgency.

"What painting?" he asked curtly.

"My graduation project," she replied, her voice strained. "My teacher said you picked it up."

Luke's expression hardened, clearly unimpressed by what he saw as her childishness. "Do you even realize what today is? I don't have time to deal with your trivial painting."

He dismissed her with a wave. "If you think I took it, go find it yourself."

Determined, Rosalie scoured the entire exhibition, her anxiety mounting as she failed to find her work. Just as she was about to give up, something caught her eye at the entrance.

Near the guest sign-in area was her painting—her graduation project, almost unrecognizable, covered in signatures and scribbles.

In shock, she approached the canvas, her heart sinking as she took in the mess of black ink obscuring the vibrant red roses and blue sky she'd painstakingly painted. That piece had meant everything to her, and now it was defaced beyond recognition.

Almost desperate, Rosalie pushed through the crowd, clutching the painting to shield it from further harm.

Chaos erupted, and Luke quickly strode over, his face tight with frustration. "What are you doing?" he hissed. "This is your aunt's art exhibition. Must you cause a scene and embarrass everyone?"

Rosalie's gaze was fierce as she held his stare.

"Why is my painting here?" she demanded.

Luke brushed her off. "It's just a painting. If it's that important to you, I can replace it. Stop being so dramatic."

Staring at him, tears pricked at her eyes. "And what exactly will you replace it with, Luke?"

She had let go of nearly everything—her belongings, her dignity.

Did she really have to stand by and watch as her most treasured creation, the only thing born from her heart and soul, was reduced to a mere object?

But Luke simply shook his head, exasperated. "You're being completely unreasonable, Rosalie."

This painting was her graduation project, the result of sleepless nights, ten years of effort, and the gift she intended for Luke himself.

Her sincerity lay desecrated, the last bit of pride she'd tried so hard to hold on to.

Fiona hurried over, her expression contrite as she explained, "I'm so sorry, Rosalie. It was a mistake. I arranged for your project to be brought here, thinking everyone would appreciate it. I never expected people to be so careless and ruin it."

Fiona clung to Luke's arm, her face soft with remorse. Luke turned his attention to comforting her. "This isn't your fault, Fiona. Rosalie doesn't know her place—her painting didn't belong here in the first place."

Each word stabbed at Rosalie's heart like a knife.

Without hesitation, Luke instructed Rosalie to remain confined to the house, forbidding her to step outside and further embarrass him.

This time, he blocked every means of contact, determined to teach her a lesson.

But Rosalie was beyond lessons. She was done.

Shortly after, she received news that her application to return home had been approved sooner than expected—coincidentally, on the day of Luke's engagement party.

She knew she wouldn't have a chance to say goodbye in person, but the truth was, she no longer wanted to.

The butler was the only person aware of her departure.

When the time came, Rosalie gave him a warm embrace, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Please, take care of yourself," she whispered.

The butler's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Miss Rosalie, you're destined for a bright future."

As Luke's engagement party reached its peak, filled with laughter and clinking glasses, Rosalie was already on a plane, flying home.

Back at the party, as the energy reached a crescendo, Luke took the microphone, ready to make the announcement that would seal his future.

In the quiet of his study, Luke found an envelope he hadn't noticed before.