Later, Jacob excelled in his exams and became a forensic intern under a renowned professor.

I inherited my father's badge and officially became a police officer.

We planned to celebrate at a barbecue restaurant, but he was nearly two hours late, busy with something.

Joy overshadowed my worries as we toasted, my grip so strong beer splashed into each other's glasses.

After downing his drink, Jacob mysteriously pulled out a colorful gift box from his bag—a delicate dreamcatcher wind chime.

"You said you have trouble sleeping.

I made this dreamcatcher myself, hoping it brings you good dreams."

I cherished it like a treasure, holding it close to my heart.

Since my parents' heroic sacrifice, no one had cared for me as Jacob did.

"Gwynne," he told me earnestly, "I promise to never let you down. From now on, I'm your only family."

I was deeply moved, yet I tried to remain light-hearted.

"What if you break your promise?"

He raised his hand towards the sky. "Then let me be struck by lightning."

Years later, I discovered that during those two hours of his tardiness, he was sending Barbara an international express package, filled with a plethora of snacks, fearing she wouldn’t adapt to the food abroad.

Jacob, you are unworthy of being my fiancé, and unworthy of being a forensic pathologist.

Snapping back from my memories, I watched as Barbara's lips drew closer to his.

Jacob seemed to suddenly sober up, turning his head away and putting down the bottle.

"I have something to attend to at the station, I must go."

"Jacob..."

He didn’t look back, his tall figure disappearing step by step through the doorway.

As soon as he reached downstairs, Jacob’s phone rang in his pocket.

Frantically, he fumbled to find it, wasting no time to glance at the screen.

When he saw it was an unfamiliar number, a look of profound disappointment crossed his face.

"Not Gwynne?"

Did he really hope it was me? That didn’t seem like the Jacob I knew.

He answered the call, and a gentle female voice spoke.

"Mr. Kinsey, we are from Lisa's Bridal Shop. Your appointment for the wedding photo shoot has expired. Do you still wish to take the photos, or should we cancel it?"

I had hinted more than once to Jacob that I wanted to take our wedding photos, but he always made excuses about being too busy.

So busy that he couldn’t spare even a few hours.

After Mrs. Kinsey passed away, he had screamed at me that he would never marry the murderer of his mother.

Life has a way of destroying what you yearn for most.

What I wanted would never come true in this lifetime.

"Sir, should we cancel it?"

The staff member’s voice pulled Jacob back to reality. He hesitated for a moment. "Oh, no, don't cancel. We'll still take them."

Still take them?

Did Jacob even know what he was saying?