At fifteen, Clara Whitfield lost her father in the line of duty. Later sponsored by the youngest son of the Caldwell family, she was discovered by Old Master Caldwell to be a descendant of an old friend and taken in to be raised by the Caldwell household.
Nathan Caldwell was noble and upright, exceptional since childhood, attending the finest military academy—undeniably the most favored son of heaven in their compound.
Clara Whitfield, raised in a small county town, struggled terribly upon entering the compound. She stuck out like a sore thumb in this new environment, ostracized and mocked.
It was Nathan Caldwell who shielded her from behind, taught her to move forward, to become someone better.
In young Clara Whitfield's heart, Nathan Caldwell was a ray of light—the one who saved her from that gloomy, self-loathing time.
Later, when Nathan Caldwell wished to go abroad for peacekeeping missions, circumstances led him to marry Clara Whitfield through Old Master Caldwell's arrangement.
At that time, his heart held only grander ambitions and aspirations; romance was far from his mind. Clara Whitfield was someone he knew inside out—if she was willing to marry, he would wed.
Nathan Caldwell always believed their smooth marriage was because Clara Whitfield wanted to change her awkward position in the Caldwell family. He never knew he had been her first youthful crush come true—the fulfillment of a girl's secret longing.
Later, when Clara Whitfield learned that Nathan Caldwell felt no real love—that his so-called devotion was merely superficial responsibility—she left without hesitation.
Only then did Nathan Caldwell discover: it was he who had unknowingly fallen along the way; he who couldn't bear to part with her; he who feared losing her—all along, it had always been him.
The ever-calm and composed Nathan Caldwell reddened at the eyes. Casting aside all dignity, he begged Clara Whitfield, nearly helpless:
"Clara... you don't want me anymore?"
"No. Men—"
