Chapter 1

In our sixth year of dating, I found a box with an proposal ring hidden in my boyfriend Kerian Severis' coat pocket.

I was full of excitement on my birthday, only to see photos on Instagram of him and another girl at a fancy couples' restaurant.

I grabbed an Uber and rushed over. Then I watched him kneel and propose to someone else myself.

Everyone around them was cheering, "Say yes! Say yes!"

After all that disappointment, I didn't make a scene as usual. I just stepped outside and called my dad.

"Hey Daddy? I'll agree to the arranged marriage with the Johnson family. Start getting ready for the wedding.”

...

My dad paused, then couldn't hide the excitement in his voice.

"That's my smart girl! Finally coming to your senses! Marriage is about matching backgrounds, honey. It's fine to taste the simple life once in a while, but we can't live in it forever."

I managed a soft "yeah" while standing alone in the restaurant lobby, watching Kerian and that girl making out amid everyone's cheers.

The whole place was celebrating them, but I froze there, unable to move.

My dad heard the commotion and pushed further, "So when are you coming home to meet the Johnson heir? They've been pushing for an engagement for months."

"In three days. I’ll wrap things up here and head straight home.”

After hanging up, I must have looked so out of place among the celebrating crowd that Kerian noticed me. His hands were shaking as he slipped the ring on her finger. When he stood up, our eyes met across the room. He seemed surprised to see me and frowned slightly, then led the girl back to their table.

Roses, champagne, romantic piano music and candlelight dinner... in our six years together, he'd never once taken me anywhere like this.

As I turned to leave, I spotted his friends—the same ones who'd posted those photos. They were whistling and clapping.

"You two are perfect together! After all these years, you finally get your happy ending!"

“Alright, alright, everyone. Cheers to the happy couple! True love prevails!"

I laughed bitterly to myself. Six years by Kerian's side, and none of his friends even knew about our relationship, but everyone knew about the bond he shared with that girl.

A sour feeling twisted in my gut.

On my birthday, I had felt the sweetness when I found the ring in his coat pocket. But now it was like poison running through me.

I took a Uber home and found a birthday cake delivered to my door. The card attached had Kerian's handwriting:

"Happy birthday, babe. Wishing you all the best."

The delivery guy smiled at me with envy. "Wow, your boyfriend really cares about you! This cake’s the priciest in the shop, and he even wrote the card himself!”

I pushed the door open and dumped the cake on the table. So he remembered my birthday, but still chose to propose to someone else today?

I collapsed onto the sofa, staring at our empty apartment with tears welling up despite myself.

Everything in this place screamed "us"—yet my boyfriend bought an engagement ring and proposed to another woman.

Looking at that cake now made me want to throw up.

I sat there forever, completely losing track of time, until the apartment door suddenly swung open.

Chapter 2

Kerian came in with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

He walked toward me without a trace of guilt or apology. "Fiona, I got you your favorite lisianthus."

Lisianthus—symbolizing faithful and everlasting love. The irony wasn't lost on me.

I took the flowers from him. He probably thought I was over it and started explaining. "Celine has AML, leukemia... you know, she doesn't have much time left. Her only wish is to marry me. We've known each other since we were kids—I couldn't let her down. So we're getting engaged in three days."

"You've always been so understanding. You get it, right?"

He said it like it was an announcement, not an explanation. Engaged to Celine Welch in three days?

What a coincidence. I'd be gone in three days too.

I quietly nodded.

Kerian always complained about my "princess attitude." He said I'd make a big deal out of nothing just to get his attention, constantly asking if he loved me.

Over time, I’d learned to bite my tongue and hold it in.

Now that I wasn't throwing a fit or begging for his love, Kerian looked at me with surprise.

"I'm moving in with Celine tomorrow. Sorry you'll be on your own for the next few months."

"She's sick. She needs me more than you do right now."

I smiled faintly and set the flowers down. When he saw no objection, he leaned in to touch my face.

I subtly dodged him. His collar had lipstick stains and the sickly-sweet perfume on him made my stomach turn.

Kerian got irritated from my rejeection. Then he left without another word.

I threw the flowers and cake in the trash and started packing my things.

I didn't want the flowers. I didn't want Kerian anymore either.

And this apartment we'd shared for six years? I felt nothing for it now.

Chapter 3

The next day at work, I printed out my resignation letter.

Kerian and I met in college. When he joined this tech company, I followed him here, turning down my parents' arrangements to support him as he worked his way up from entry-level.

I'd hinted at marriage before. But Kerian was always "too busy," saying he couldn't make something of himself yet. He was afraid my parents wouldn't let their precious daughter marry someone like him.

"Career first, then family"—that was his line.

To ease his burden, I never revealed my family background to him. Just quietly worked on convincing my parents he was worth it.

Now he was a VP at the company. When I found that ring in his pocket, I thought he'd finally decided to propose to me.

Turns out I was just fooling myself.

My coworker spotted the resignation letter on my screen and looked shocked. "Fiona, you're about to be promoted to director. Why the hell would you quit now?"

I forced a smile. "I'm getting married soon. Might switch companies after."

My colleague Wendy congratulated me with a grin. "What's with everyone getting hitched lately? I saw the VP's Instagram post last night—he's engaged too!"

"Gotta say, him and his fiancée are perfect together. Heard they're childhood sweethearts and they’re each other's first love."

My smile faltered. I checked my phone and discovered Kerian had blocked me on both his personal and work accounts.

His main account was personal. He'd blocked and deleted me last night after leaving. His work account only showed the formal boss-to-employee messages.

Just then, Kerian walked into the office with Celine.

They were joined at the hip. Celine looked radiant. And she had a bright smile, not looking like a sick person at all.

Kerian turned to introduce them to the team. "Everyone, meet our new Technical Director. Get to know her—you'll all be working together."

Wendy's eyes widened, darting between Celine and me before she plastered on a smile. "Nice to meet you, Director Welch!"

I said nothing, just gripped my resignation letter tighter. Kerian shot me a disapproving look. "Fiona, everyone else greeted our new director. What's your problem?"

Celine laughed softly and extended her hand to me. "We'll be working in the same company now. Looking forward to your support."

I barely started to reach out when Kerian pulled her hand back. "You're the director. No need to waste time on low-level staff. Come on, I'll show you around."

They walked away, leaving me standing there with my hand outstretched like a complete joker.