"My engagement?" Valerian scoffed—the very thought made him feel disgusted.
"I told you before, and I'm telling you again—get that idea out of your mind."
Valerian stood up from his seat and began walking toward the door.
Rowan stared at his back, remaining motionless in his chair.
"...What do you think Eiran will do when he finds out that the friend he trusted since childhood... is actually a stalker obsessed with him?"
Valerian's expression darkened as he turned back to glare at him.
"You used to threaten anyone who tried to get close to him, forced some of them to leave the city, and even resorted to torture—"
"Shut up!" Valerian snapped.
"I never tortured anyone," he said coldly.
"I simply removed problems."
"Really? Then what?" Rowan's voice remained calm, almost amused.
"Who do you think Eiran will believe after seeing all this?"
He tapped the desk lightly.
"These documents are enough to make him lose trust in you. And once that happens—you won't be able to explain yourself, even if you had a hundred mouths."
"Stay out of my business," Valerian said coldly. "Or I won't hesitate to cut off all ties with your family. I won't care even if you disown me."
Valerian's eyes fell on the documents.
"And as for Eiran... he trusts me more than any proof. Even if he doubts me—I'll find a way to fix it."
Rowan ignored him and pushed the documents toward him.
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Valerian's eyes, but he still stepped forward and began going through them.
His grip on the file tightened as he read.
Rowan chuckled softly.
"If you still think you can prove your innocence... do you really think I'll allow that?"
He paused, watching Valerian's reaction.
"And if I do disown you—think carefully. Will you still be able to keep Eiran?"
His voice turned colder.
"Didn't you see how he kissed Theron?"
Valerian went still.
"They even exchanged cards... like a token of affection."
Valerian calmly placed the documents back on the table and stared at Rowan. There was no warmth left in his dark green eyes.
"Do you think I don't know him? Eiran wouldn't—"
"Valerian," Rowan cut him off. "Without strong backing, you can't deal with someone like Theron."
He leaned forward.
"But once you take control of the business... you can do whatever you want. Even your grandfather won't be able to stop you."
"I will never marry anyone else. Remember that."
"Who told you to marry her?"
Valerian frowned.
"What?"
"You only need to get engaged—temporarily. You can break it off later."
"Do you think I'll believe you after all this?"
"Then we'll sign a contract."
Rowan's tone was calm, calculated.
"You and Elera will be engaged for two years. During that time, you're not allowed to tell anyone about the contract."
He paused, then pulled out his phone and tapped it a few times before continuing.
"And to ensure you don't step out of line—you'll continue your studies abroad for those two years. I've sent everything to your phone."
"Once you're done, you're free to return and end the engagement."
"I'm not going anywhere," Valerian said immediately.
"Do you think I'm stupid? If I leave, there's no guarantee Eiran will wait for me—or that someone else won't take him away."
He kicked the table hard.
"For two years? Are you kidding me?!"
"Even if that happens," Rowan said lightly, "you can simply remove that person from the picture. That shouldn't be difficult for you."
A faint smile played on his lips.
"You claim Eiran loves you."
Rowan tilted his head slightly.
"Why not try trusting him for once?"
He knew his son very well.
No matter what... Valerian would never agree to this engagement just because someone like Theron appeared—even if it were someone more powerful. But... he still had ways to make him submit.
"During those two years, you won't contact anyone here. You won't gather any information either. " Rowan gave him a meaningful look.
"You don't want Eiran to know about your deeds, do you?"
Valerian stared back at him. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.
Rowan's voice turned sharp.
"All your subordinates are paid by the company. Don't assume they're loyal to you."
Valerian clenched his jaw.
"You think I don't know about the rumors you're spreading? You never intended to ask for my opinion—you just wanted to force me into this."
Rowan smiled.
"So... am I successful?"
Valerian lowered his head—fingers digging into his palm.
"...Give me time to think."
"I'll give you two hours," Rowan replied calmly.
"You'll get engaged on your birthday."
A brief silence fell over the room.
"Vale," Rowan added, almost softly,
"I know you think I'm cruel. But I'm doing this for your own good."
Valerian let out a cold laugh.
"Separating me from the person I've loved my whole life?"
He looked straight at him.
"Your version of love is beyond my understanding, Mr. Delaire."
"You think two years is enough for me to forget Eiran? That I'll just agree to marry someone else?"
He chuckled, his expression distant and cold.
"Tell me—"
His voice dropped.
"Which one of us is actually naive?"
_________________________________________________________________________________
Valerian lay on the ground beside a lake, in an unknown location.
The ground was covered in medium-sized green grass, swaying gently and occasionally brushing against his skin.
He kept glancing at his watch from time to time. After almost ten minutes, he finally sat up, pulled out his phone, and after a brief hesitation, sent Eiran a video call.
It didn't even take a few seconds before the call was answered, and Eiran's enlarged face appeared on the screen.
"Wait! I wasn't ready!" he exclaimed, tossing his phone onto the bed. Now all Valerian could see was a white quilt, along with rustling sounds from the other side... it seemed he had picked up the call by mistake.
Valerian couldn't help but chuckle at his clumsiness. Despite the heaviness in his heart, he forgot everything else the moment Eiran appeared before him.
He was beyond saving for sure.
It took Eiran five or six minutes before he reappeared in front of the camera.
"Man, you called so suddenly—I almost had a heart attack." Eiran rubbed his chest, putting on a pitiful expression.
Valerian shook his head, his voice filled with indulgence.
"Shh, don't say that. I'm sorry, okay? I'll be more careful next time."
Eiran nodded, looking quite satisfied with the answer. And... he had actually been anxious before, but now it seemed Valerian hadn't heard about that night at the club.
"Hm, better. I miss you, Valerian. When are you coming back? Your birthday is coming too..."
His voice trailed off, his eyes fixed on Valerian as he waited for an answer.
Valerian froze for a second at the mention of his birthday before barely managing to steady his emotions.
"I'll be back before my birthday."
"I'll be waiting for you, Vale. Wait! Let me show you something."
Eiran picked up his phone and placed it on the bed, using a pillow for support, adjusting it so Valerian could see clearly.
"Look, this is my new collection. It was finished before our exams, actually, but I wasn't able to show you before. I just wanted you to see it and give me some feedback."
Eiran smiled as he began introducing his work.
Valerian listened carefully to every word that left his lips, occasionally offering his thoughts.
Until his gaze fell on a card lying on the table.
Though he couldn't see it clearly from the distance, he could still make out its structure and color—gray and blue.
It looked eerily similar to the one in the photo his father had sent him...
So his dad wasn't lying... just as he thought.
But why did it still have to hurt so much?
Valerian shifted his attention back to Eiran... he was showing his paintings happily without care of anything in this world.
I wish I could ask you... but I am afraid—
afraid that your answer won't bring me relief but endless pain and longing.
I'm not strong enough to handle that, Ran...
_________________________________________________________________________________