Chapter 2

After Sean proposed, we moved into this apartment together.

I pushed the front door open, only to be greeted by utter chaos.

The vase of fresh flowers I had arranged this morning lay shattered on the floor, and the culprit was hissing at me from across the room.

I let out a tired sigh and walked over to clean up the mess.

Mochi lunged forward, swiping his claws across my hand.

I winced, threw my hands up in defeat, and backed away.

Mochi was a stray cat Sean had brought home from God knows where. He had hated me from day one.

I was never much of a pet person anyway, so I just let him be.

I glanced at the roses Sean had given me, now covered in dirt, and tossed them into the trash can.

After cleaning everything up, I collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

I don't know how long I was out before hushed giggles woke me up.

I opened my eyes to Stella’s teasing voice drifting through the door.

"Ooh, this pose is so cute. Sean, you’re such a natural at this!"

My ears rang.

My mind went completely blank, followed by a sharp, suffocating ache in my chest.

Not caring that I was still in my wrinkled loungewear, I shoved the door open and stepped out.

Stella was sitting right next to Sean, practically curled up in his arms.

She had the cat in one arm and her phone raised high in the other.

They looked like the picture-perfect couple.

Then my eyes caught the ring on Stella’s finger, and my breath hitched.

It was the engagement ring Sean had custom-ordered six months ago.

When he slipped it onto my finger, it had felt slightly too loose.

Now, sitting on someone else’s hand, it fit like a glove.

My eyes burned with tears.

It wasn't that I had lost weight like he claimed. The ring was never sized for me in the first place!

I was supposed to be his fiancée.

I leaned weakly against the wall, my legs giving out.

They hadn't noticed me yet. They shifted into an even more intimate pose, the sound of the camera shutter blending with their laughter.

My heart shattered into pieces.

In the four years we had been together, Sean and I had barely taken a few dozen photos.

He always said he hated the camera and was terrible at posing.

They acted like nobody else was in the room, oblivious to me standing right at the bedroom doorway.

In my own apartment, I felt like a trespasser.

A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. What was the point of any of this?

My legs felt numb from standing too long, and I accidentally bumped against the door.

The creak of the wood finally broke their bubble.

A flash of guilt crossed Sean’s eyes before he called out, "You’re awake?"

I swallowed my anger, my voice trembling. "Why did you bring her here?"

Sean blinked, offering an easy smile.

"Stella needed to shoot some couple content. Our place looks cozy on camera."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

He sounded so casual, as if our future home wasn't ours at all, but just another rented studio for his girl.

My voice came out hoarse. "What's next? Are you going to take photos in our master bedroom too?"

Stella stuck her tongue out playfully. "Honestly, that could work!"

Sean didn't say a word to stop her.

I drew in a sharp breath, my eyes locking onto the engagement ring on Stella's finger.

Sean frowned and dismissed it casually. "Stella needed it for the shoot. I just let her borrow your ring for a few pictures."

Stella tilted her head, giving me an innocent smile. "Chloe, you're not mad, are you?"

I didn't give her an easy out. My voice was ice cold. "What if I am?"

Sean’s expression hardened.

"Chloe, it’s just a ring. Do you have to turn everything into a drama?"

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. Just a ring?

Turning everything into a drama?

With tears welling in my eyes, I fired back, "How is this nothing? Who the hell are you actually marrying, Sean?"

Sean pressed his lips into a tight, frustrated line. Reluctantly, he told Stella to take the ring off.

Stella’s eyes welled with tears. "Sean, I’m so sorry... I didn't know she'd..."

He patted her shoulder softly, his voice gentle. "It's not your fault."

My heart went completely cold.

If it wasn't her fault, whose was it? Mine?