Chapter 643

"I've made it through the interview, Rowan," Jenny announced.

Rowan hummed softly. "Congratulations."

"Don't you have anything else to say? Tonight, let's celebrate! I'll make dinner," Jenny suggested.

"You should celebrate with your friends. I have a dinner party to attend. The house renovations are complete; I've dealt with the smell, so you can move in immediately. I'll send a moving company. Alright, I have to go," Rowan said curtly, hanging up before Jenny could respond.

Jenny stared at her phone, a wave of confusion washing over her. Was he pushing her away? How could he be so cold and uncaring? Why wasn't he treating her as he once had? A heavy weight settled on her chest. She felt their relationship drifting apart. She paled, then texted Rowan: "Rowan, are you going to keep me at arm's length?"

After graduating, she'd accepted her friends scattering. But she couldn't bear the thought of a longtime friend—especially one who had shifted his affections—distancing himself.

The message went unanswered. She didn't know if he'd read it and ignored her, hadn't seen it, or was too busy to reply.

Returning to Rowan's house, she found it dark. Even with the lights on, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He wasn't home. Yesterday, he'd cooked her dinner, despite his lack of culinary skill. It might have looked awful, but she'd felt his care and love. Why had he changed so drastically?

An hour later, still restless in bed, she scrolled through Instagram while talking to a friend. Rowan's story, posted minutes earlier, stopped her breath.

Her face drained of color as she sat bolt upright. Rowan was engaged. His engagement had kept him busy. His fiancée was wealthy, a perfect match.

Jenny gasped, struggling to breathe. This explained his request for her to move out. He was engaged and establishing distance. Not long ago, he'd visited her in Korel City, saying he'd waited years, that he'd ensure other women disappeared the moment she agreed to be with him. He'd been playing them to make her jealous. She'd believed him then. But now…

She called him immediately. He answered.

"You're engaged? Rowan, didn't you hate arranged marriages? Didn't you insist on true love? Didn't you say you loved me? Why would you get engaged like this? Do you even like her?" She bombarded him with questions.

Rowan chuckled. "I do like you. However, that doesn't mean I should wait for you indefinitely. Everyone knows my fiancée is a good woman. Perhaps I'll fall for her."

"Rowan, don't lie to yourself. You…" Jenny faltered, unsettled.

He seemed to sense her thoughts. "While you pursue Joe, you expect me to wait? Jenny, I'm not an idiot."

"I… it's not like that. I… I just don't want you to make a mistake," Jenny stammered, feeling exposed and embarrassed.