Chapter 1

Auremont City's most prominent heir, Huxton Dunne, was finally back on his feet after three years of paralysis. His friends threw him a party at a private club.

Margo Myer stood outside the door, clutching a gift she'd picked out just for him. Before she could walk in, she heard voices inside.

"Dude, Margo basically got you back on your feet. You wouldn't be here without her."

"For real. Three years of rehab, massages, barely any sleep because she was scared something might happen to you at night? You owe her forever."

"She really is amazing," Huxton said.

Margo's fingers tightened around the gift. Warmth filled her heart.

Then one of his friends asked, "So... when are you gonna marry her?"

Chapter 1

The room went dead silent.

Margo froze, her hand still hovering by the door. Her heart pounded as she waited for his answer.

Finally, Huxton spoke.

"Don't be ridiculous. I only see her as a sister."

"A sister? Dude, seriously? She gave you three years of her life, and she's just a sister?

"Don't tell me you're still stuck on Jayla. She bailed the second you got hurt. Didn't even check on you. Now you're back on your feet, and suddenly she's back too? Come on, man. Anyone but her."

Huxton stayed quiet.

Outside the door, Margo's heart twisted.

His silence said it all.

She'd spent three years thinking he'd eventually love her back. Turns out, his heart still belonged to the girl who'd ditched him.

Three years ago, Huxton had been Auremont City's ultimate golden boy.

Graduate of a top school. Heir to Dunne Corp. Great at skiing and horseback riding. And ridiculously good-looking on top of it.

Margo? She was just a broke college student the Dunne family sponsored.

She first saw Huxton at a school awards ceremony.

He stood onstage, tall, gorgeous, and totally out of reach.

Margo sat in the very back, clutching her scholarship envelope and barely daring to clap.

Jayla Benson stood beside him—beautiful, popular, and just as rich.

Everyone said they were straight out of a fairy tale.

Then came the car crash.

Huxton injured his spine, and doctors said he might never walk again.

Jayla didn't even show up at the hospital. She dumped him over text and disappeared.

Overnight, Auremont City's golden boy hit rock bottom.

He shut everyone out, lashed out, and even tried to end his life.

His parents cried nonstop, but nothing they did helped.

Margo was the one who stepped up.

She crouched in front of his wheelchair and said softly, "Huxton, it's gonna be okay. I'll stay with you."

For the next three years, she learned massage techniques, helped with his rehab, and barely slept, terrified he'd hurt himself at night.

Once, when he snapped and swung a chair at his own legs, Margo jumped in front of him and took the hit.

Year after year, she stayed.

She became the one person Huxton couldn't do without. Everyone said he couldn't even sleep unless Margo was nearby.

So when he finally recovered, everyone assumed he'd marry her.

Margo had believed it too.

But now she got it.

Huxton was back on his feet. Jayla was back in his life.

And his "sister" needed to get out of the way.

Margo took a breath and pushed open the door.

The room went quiet. Everyone turned to her, guilt all over his friends' faces.

"Margo? When did you get here?"

"Just now." She smiled like she'd heard nothing and handed Huxton the gift. "Congrats on your recovery."

Huxton reached for it, but the door opened again.

Jayla stood there, eyes red.

"Huxton, I heard you're better. I came to congratulate you."

The room went dead silent.

"What are you doing here?" one of Huxton's friends snapped. "You bailed the second he got hurt. And now you just show up like nothing happened?"

Jayla's face burned, tears filling her eyes. She shoved the gift at Huxton and turned to leave.

Huxton caught her wrist.

"You're already here. Stay."

Everyone froze.

Then all eyes went straight to Margo.

She kept smiling, even as her nails dug into her palms.

'Three years by his side, and I still can't compete with one tear from Jayla.'

The rest of the party was painfully awkward.

Huxton's friends ignored Jayla and kept teasing him and Margo instead.

"Margo, didn't you massage Huxton every day during rehab?"

"Yep. She's basically a pro. Huxton wouldn't let anyone else touch him. He'd totally lose it!"

Margo looked down, pretending not to see Jayla glaring at her.

Huxton stayed quiet, but his attention never left Jayla.

Later, someone suggested a game.

Jayla lost first. Her punishment? Ask a guy for his contact info.

She immediately looked at Huxton for help.

He stared at his phone like he hadn't noticed.

Jayla bit her lip and stood.

"Fine. I'll do it."

Margo watched Jayla head to the next booth, where a bunch of guys quickly crowded around her.

One drunk guy grabbed her wrist. "Sure, gorgeous, I'll give you my IG. But how about you let me cop a feel first?"

"Get off me!" Jayla screamed.

Huxton's head snapped up.

A second later, he was across the room, slamming his fist into the guy's face.

"You got a fucking death wish?"

All hell broke loose.

"Huxton! Stop!" his friends yelled, rushing to drag him back.

Margo ran over too, scared he'd hurt himself so soon after recovering.

"Huxton, don't—"

He shoved her aside.

"Move!"

Margo lost her balance and fell down the stairs.

Her head slammed against the floor. Everything went black for a second. Warm blood ran down her temple and into her eye.

She forced herself up just in time to see Huxton carrying Jayla away.

He never looked back.

Pain ripped through Margo's chest, making it hard to breathe.

And suddenly, she remembered.

Back when Huxton couldn't walk, he'd once snapped and started beating his legs with a chair. Margo jumped in to stop him and took the hit instead.

Three broken ribs.

Huxton's eyes went red.

"My legs are already useless! Who cares if I hit them? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Don't you know what matters more?"

Margo broke out in a cold sweat from the pain but refused to let go of his legs.

"I do.

"Your legs matter. That's why I have to stop you.

"Because one day, I'm getting you back on your feet."

That day, Huxton, who had always been so proud, pulled her into his arms, trembling.

"Margo, don't leave me..."

Everyone called Huxton walking again a miracle.

But they knew better.

There was no miracle.

Margo had given everything she had, pulling him out of that dark place piece by piece.

And now...

He was back on his feet.

He didn't need her anymore.

Just then, Margo's phone rang.

Her hands shook as she pulled it out. The name on the screen made her eyes burn.

Mrs. Dunne.

Margo already knew why she was calling.

The second she answered, Yvonne spoke carefully.

"Margo, Huxton's the CEO of a public company now. His wife needs to come from the right family. Someone who can help his future.

"I truly appreciate everything you've done for him these past three years. But the Dunnes paid for your college too. You took care of Huxton, and we gave you an education. I'd say we're even, wouldn't you?"

Yvonne went quiet, like she expected Margo to argue. Maybe even beg.

Margo stared down the hallway where Huxton had disappeared.

Three years.

Three years of believing he might love her someday.

What a joke.

"Okay," she said, her voice strangely calm. "I'll leave.

"He'll never see me again."

Chapter 2

Margo hung up and went straight to the hospital.

The cut on her forehead needed three stitches. The doctor told her to keep it dry.

She barely reacted.

On her way out, she spotted Huxton's Maybach parked nearby.

The window was cracked open. Inside, Jayla leaned against his shoulder, tears running down her face.

"Huxton, I know I hurt you back then..." Her voice broke. "I don't expect you to forgive me. But I had my reasons. My parents didn't approve of us, so they forced me to go abroad. They even took my phone. I wanted to contact you. I just couldn't..."

Huxton said nothing, his jaw tight.

Margo froze nearby.

Finally, Huxton spoke, his voice low.

"Then why'd you come back now?"

Jayla looked up, tears streaking her cheeks.

"Because I can't forget you... I know you have Margo now. I'm not asking for anything. Just don't make me leave. Let me stay, even if it's from a distance..."

From the shadows, Margo watched Huxton stay quiet for a long moment.

Then he reached out and wiped Jayla's tears.

"I don't blame you. And Margo..." He paused. "She's like a sister to me. It's not what you think."

Jayla's face lit up. "Really?"

Huxton nodded.

Jayla broke down again and threw herself into his arms.

Margo smiled bitterly, turned around, and headed straight to the immigration office.

***

At the immigration office, an employee handed Margo a form.

"Your visa should be ready in two weeks."

Margo thanked her. By the time she stepped outside, it was dark.

She went back to Huxton's villa.

She'd lived there for three years while taking care of him.

She'd even been dumb enough to call it home.

The print she'd picked still hung by the front door. Her succulents sat in the living room. Her handwritten list of "easy-on-the-stomach recipes" was still taped to the kitchen wall.

Now she'd erase every trace herself.

While packing, she found a photo at the bottom of a drawer.

It was from the day Huxton finished rehab. He'd actually smiled for the camera, while Margo stood beside him, beaming.

The edges had yellowed from how many times she'd held it.

Margo stared at the photo for a long moment.

Then she dropped it in the trash.

'About time I woke up from this stupid dream.'

***

Early the next morning, Huxton called.

"I forgot my stomach meds. Bring them to the office."

His voice was rough with sleep, his tone way too casual after last night.

Margo went quiet for two seconds.

"Okay."

When she got to the office, the elevator opened and Jayla stepped out carrying a fancy lunch box.

"What a coincidence." Jayla smiled. "I brought Huxton lunch. Wanna come?"

Margo said nothing and followed her in.

Huxton was going through some files. He looked up when they walked in together.

"How'd you two end up together?"

"We bumped into each other." Jayla opened the container, and the smell of spices filled the room. "I made your favorite spicy beef stew!"

Margo's expression tightened.

"His stomach can't handle spicy food."

Huxton glanced at her and grabbed his fork.

"Once won't kill me."

He took a bite of beef drenched in sauce without even flinching.

Margo's grip tightened around the stomach meds in her bag, her knuckles turning white.

It didn't take long for sweat to bead across Huxton's forehead. His fingers shook around his pen.

"Huxton, are you okay?" Jayla asked.

"I'm fine." He forced a smile. "I've got work to do. You two should head home."

Margo stared at him for a second, then quietly set the meds on his desk and left.

Downstairs, she couldn't hold back.

"His stomach issues are serious. Please be careful what you bring him to eat."

Jayla suddenly laughed. "You seriously still don't know your place, do you?

"To Huxton, you're basically just his caregiver. Of course you have to remember all that stuff. Me? He loves me. I don't have to."

She stepped closer, a smug smile on her lips. "I could hand him poison, and he'd still take it. Get it?"

Margo's fingers shook, her heart twisting.

'She's right.'

It had taken Margo three years just to matter to Huxton.

Jayla didn't have to do a thing.

He'd swallow poison for her anyway.

Chapter 3

That night, Huxton came home looking scary pale.

Margo was getting water in the kitchen. She turned at the sound of the door and nearly dropped the glass.

"You didn't take your meds?"

"It got too bad. I had to get my stomach pumped."

Huxton sank onto the couch, his hair damp with cold sweat.

Margo's hand jerked, spilling hot water over it. Her skin instantly turned red.

'Does he really love Jayla that much? Enough to eat her food even if it lands him in the hospital?'

Margo brought him water, crouched beside him, and gently rubbed his stomach.

After a few sips, Huxton finally relaxed. His brow smoothed out, and soon he fell asleep against her shoulder.

Just like always.

But this time, Margo didn't stare at him like she used to.

She carefully laid him on the couch, pulled a blanket over him, and went upstairs without looking back.

***

The next morning, Huxton was already in the living room, dressed in a sharp suit.

"Why's so much stuff gone?" He frowned, looking around.

Margo opened her mouth to explain, but he'd already moved on.

"Jayla's art show is today. She invited us."

"I—"

"She just got back to Carmoria and doesn't have many friends here." Huxton cut her off. "Just come support her."

Margo curled her fingers into her palm.

Then nodded.

The second Jayla spotted Huxton at the gallery, she rushed over and hooked her arm through his.

"Huxton! This is the one I really wanted you to see..." She pointed to an oil painting of snowy mountains. "I painted it in Switzerland. I thought about you every day back then..."

Huxton quietly studied the painting, his expression impossible to read.

Then he bought every painting in the show.

Whispers broke out around them.

"I heard Huxton used to spoil Jayla like crazy. Guess it was true."

"She ditched him, and he's still dropping money on her like this? That's gotta be true love."

Jayla shot Margo a smug look.

As soon as Huxton went to pay, she walked over.

"Heard that? Doesn't matter how long I was gone. I'm still the only one he wants."

She leaned close, dropping her voice.

"And if you're still not getting it, I can make it even more obvious."

Then the fire alarm went off.

"Fire! Everybody out!"

The gallery exploded into chaos.

Someone slammed into Margo, knocking her down. Her ankle twisted hard, and pain nearly made her black out.

She tried to get up when Huxton came charging through the crowd.

"Jayla! Where are you?!"

Margo had never heard him sound that panicked.

Then he spotted Jayla, terrified. He pulled her into his arms and rushed out without a single look back.

Margo sat trapped on the floor, watching them disappear into the smoke.

She fought to stand.

Then came a deafening crash.

A burning beam dropped straight toward her.

***

When Margo woke up, all she saw was white.

"Margo! You're awake!"

Yara rushed to her bedside, eyes swollen from crying.

"You scared the hell out of me! Do you know you almost died?"

Margo tried to move. Her whole body felt wrecked.

"Where's Huxton?" she asked, voice hoarse.

Yara's face darkened.

"Him? With Jayla. You only broke a rib, while poor Ms. Benson got a tiny scrape. Obviously she needs him more."

Margo closed her eyes. Every breath hurt.

"Huxton's gone way too far. Who stayed with him 24/7 when he couldn't walk? Who barely slept because she was scared he'd hurt himself? And now you're lying here like this, and he..."

Yara squeezed her hand, her voice cracking.

"Margo, he's better now, and he still hasn't said anything about the two of you being together. How much longer are you gonna do this to yourself?"

Only the steady beep of the monitor filled the room.

After a long silence, Margo spoke.

"I'm getting my visa."

She stared at the ceiling.

"Once it's approved... I'm leaving."

The door suddenly flew open.

"Leaving?"

Huxton stood in the doorway, his face dark.

"Who's leaving?"

Chapter 4

"It's nothing. Yara has work, so she has to go." Margo looked down, avoiding Huxton's stare.

Yara looked like she wanted to say something, but held back. Instead, she shot Huxton a death glare.

"Margo, call me if you need anything."

Once she left, Huxton walked over to the bed.

"There were too many people. I didn't see you—"

"It's fine." Margo cut him off and reached for the water on her nightstand.

As she sat up, her hospital gown slipped, revealing a nasty burn below her collarbone.

Huxton's eyes widened. "How'd you get hurt this bad? They told me you only had mild smoke inhalation."

Margo glanced down and pulled her gown back into place.

"It's nothing serious."

Huxton frowned. "I didn't know it was this bad. I thought you just passed out from the smoke."

Margo gave a bitter little smile.

'How would he know?

'All he ever saw was Jayla. Why would he notice how badly I was hurt?'

She said nothing and took a sip of water.

"I'll take care of you for the next few days," Huxton suddenly said.

"No need." Margo shook her head. "You've got work. Don't worry about me."

Huxton opened his mouth, but his phone rang.

"Huxton..." Jayla's teary voice came through. "My hand hurts so bad... The doctor says it might be infected..."

Huxton hesitated.

Margo gave him a faint smile. "Go."

"I..." He tightened his grip on the phone, frowning. "I'm not great at taking care of people anyway. I'll hire someone for you."

Margo nodded. "Okay."

The second Huxton left, the room went quiet again.

Margo stared at the ceiling and let out a bitter laugh.

'He said he'd take care of me. But one call from Jayla, and he was gone.

'Just like the fire. He ran straight to her without even looking back.'

Margo slowly closed her eyes, her chest aching so badly she could barely breathe.

'Some promises just aren't worth believing.'

***

Huxton came to pick her up himself on the day she was discharged.

"There's an auction tonight. Come with me."

He handed her a new cashmere coat.

Margo shook her head. "No, thanks..."

"Still mad?" Huxton frowned, clearly thinking she was upset with him. "I really didn't see you that day. The second I realized you hadn't made it out, I sent people back in for you."

Margo opened her mouth, then stopped.

In the end, she took the coat.

Only after getting into the car did she realize Jayla was already inside.

"Jayla wanted to go, so she's coming too," Huxton said casually.

Margo said nothing and quietly took the back seat.

The whole drive, Jayla talked nonstop—childhood stories, studying abroad, everything.

Huxton didn't say much, but talking to her came easy.

Margo stared out the window at the blur of scenery, silent like she didn't belong there.

At the auction, Huxton bought anything Jayla so much as looked at and handed it straight to her.

People quickly started whispering.

"Isn't that Huxton Dunne? Damn, he really spoils his date."

"I heard his girlfriend took care of him for three years. No wonder he treats her like a princess."

"Wait, that's not Margo Myer, is it? Isn't she the one who dumped him before...?"

Someone had mistaken Jayla for Margo.

Huxton paused.

Then, like he'd only just remembered Margo was there, he turned to her.

"What do you want?"

Just then, a sapphire necklace came up for auction, glowing deep blue under the lights.

Margo looked at it for a second.

Huxton raised his paddle.

"One million."

"This necklace has a pretty romantic story," Jayla suddenly said. "A foreign king gave it to his queen as a symbol of love. Loyalty. Forever."

She glanced at Margo. "Sounds perfect for Ms. Myer."

Huxton's hand paused.

But once he won the necklace, he handed it straight to Jayla. "It suits you better."

Jayla gave a fake little hesitation. "Are you sure? Wasn't Ms. Myer the one who wanted it?"

"I'll get her something else." Huxton looked at Margo. "What do you want?"

Margo lowered her eyes, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

'He couldn't give me a symbol of loyalty.

'But he could give it to Jayla.'

'Guess the difference between being loved and not being loved couldn't be any clearer.'

"No, thanks," she said softly.

Chapter 5

After the auction, the crowd slowly cleared out.

While Huxton got stuck making small talk, Jayla walked over to Margo.

"Margo, you get it now, right?" Jayla lowered her voice, a smug smile on her lips. "I'm the one Huxton loves. Keep hanging around, and he'll only get even more tired of you."

Margo looked at her calmly.

"You'll get what you want."

Jayla frowned. "What does that mean?"

Margo didn't answer. She turned to leave.

"Ah!"

A scream came from behind her.

Margo turned around just in time to see Jayla tumble down the stairs.

"Margo!"

Huxton's furious shout echoed through the room.

He rushed over and shoved Margo aside so hard she slammed into the wall.

"What did Jayla ever do to you?" His stare turned ice-cold. "If you're mad I didn't protect you before, blame me. Why go after her?"

Margo leaned against the wall, her voice steady.

"I didn't push her."

"Huxton..." Jayla weakly grabbed his sleeve. "I just slipped. It wasn't Ms. Myer's fault..."

"You don't have to cover for her."

Huxton shot Margo one last cold look, then scooped Jayla into his arms.

"I'm not taking you home. Figure it out yourself."

Margo watched him hurry away with Jayla.

His jacket was wrapped around her, and he held her like she was something precious.

'He was always like this.

'The second Jayla cried, somehow I was the bad guy.'

Margo touched the plane ticket in her pocket.

One more week, and she'd be on a flight to Aldoria, leaving all this love and pain behind.

'He won't have to deal with me anymore.'

'Soon, I'll be gone for good.'

The auction venue was miles from the mansion, and there wasn't a cab in sight.

So Margo walked.

Halfway home, rain started pouring.

The cold rain soaked her hair and clothes. Her shoes filled with water, and every step felt like walking on glass.

By the time she finally made it home, her feet were covered in bloody blisters.

And she was burning with fever.

She took some medicine, treated her injuries, then fell into a restless sleep.

***

The next morning, noise downstairs woke Margo.

When she came down, Jayla's luggage was all over the living room.

Huxton looked at her.

"Jayla's parents are out of the country, and it's not safe for her to stay alone. She's staying here for a few days. So behave. No more games."

Margo gripped the railing, her face pale.

"I won't."

'I'm done with these games.

'And I'm done loving him.'

Chapter 6

Ever since Jayla moved in, Margo had seen a whole different side of Huxton.

He remembered everything Jayla hated eating. One frown from her, and he'd replace her meal.

When storms scared her, he was there the second thunder rumbled.

The study he'd never let Margo enter?

Jayla could walk in whenever she wanted.

Margo finally understood what Huxton looked like when he actually loved someone.

For years, she'd secretly treasured the fact that he stopped trying to hurt himself whenever she was there. She'd convinced herself it meant he was starting to care.

'What a joke.'

One day, Margo passed the study and spotted Jayla messing with something.

She stopped at the half-open door.

It was the antique gold locket Huxton's grandmother had left him.

Jayla dangled it carelessly from her fingers, nearly dropping it.

Margo's heart jumped. She rushed in and snatched it away.

"What are you doing? That belonged to Huxton's grandmother. You can't mess around with it."

"Why do you care?" Jayla snapped, grabbing it back.

Then she caught Margo's nervous look and smiled.

"You care that much? Then..."

She opened her hand.

The locket hit the marble floor.

The tiny hinge snapped, and the lid broke clean off.

Margo froze.

That locket was Huxton's most prized possession—a family heirloom his grandmother had placed in his hand right before she died.

"What happened?"

Huxton stood in the doorway, staring coldly at the broken locket.

"Ms. Myer broke it," Jayla said before Margo could speak, putting on an innocent face. "I just wanted a closer look, but she rushed over and tried to grab it."

Margo looked at Huxton. "There's a security camera in here. Check it."

The room went dead silent.

Jayla's face changed.

A second later, she reluctantly backed down.

"Sorry, Huxton. I dropped it by accident. Is it important? I can buy you another one."

To Margo's surprise, Huxton's anger disappeared instantly.

He rushed over and grabbed Jayla's hand.

"Are you hurt?"

Margo watched him carefully check Jayla's fingers, her heart twisting.

No one knew better than her how much that locket meant to him.

Three years ago, Yvonne had lost that same locket right after Huxton's leg surgery.

Even in his condition, Huxton had searched for it in the snow for three hours.

When he came back empty-handed, he blew up at his mom, locked himself in his room, and trashed the place.

Margo went out into the snow and searched every inch of the yard.

By dawn, her fingers were numb.

But she found it.

And now Jayla had broken it on purpose, and all Huxton cared about was whether she'd hurt her hand.

Margo smiled bitterly.

'So this is how much he loves her.'

And she'd actually believed he'd marry her once he recovered.

Night after night, she'd stayed by his bed, watching him suffer through rehab and promising herself she'd never leave.

At his lowest, she'd even written one stupid little wish in her diary:

[When he can walk again, I'll marry him.]

Now she finally saw how foolish she'd been.

At least she'd woken up.

She'd never hand her heart to someone who didn't value it again.

Chapter 7

After that, Margo barely left her room.

Then one night at dinner, Jayla suddenly grabbed her stomach.

Her face went ghost-white before she collapsed into Huxton's arms.

"What's wrong?" Huxton panicked and called the family doctor.

After checking her, the doctor turned serious.

"She's been poisoned."

The whole mansion went into chaos.

The staff stood off to the side, nervous, while the butler questioned everyone about dinner.

"I-I saw something..." a young maid stammered. "I saw Ms. Myer put something in the soup..."

Huxton's eyes went ice-cold.

He stormed over and grabbed Margo's wrist, squeezing so hard her bones ached.

"You tried to poison Jayla over that locket? Margo, when did you become this kind of person?"

Margo looked straight at him.

"I didn't do it."

"Still denying it?" Huxton turned to the staff. "Bring me the rest of the soup."

Margo's eyes widened.

"What are you doing?"

"Teaching you a lesson." Huxton grabbed her chin, his voice cold. "Maybe then you'll learn what lines not to cross."

A servant brought over the rest of the soup.

At Huxton's signal, they forced it down Margo's throat.

She fought hard, but two bodyguards held her in place.

The warm soup made her choke and cough.

Then the poison hit.

Margo dropped to her knees, cold sweat soaking her back. She curled in on herself, nails digging into her palms.

"I didn't poison her..."

Huxton didn't even look at her.

He stayed beside Jayla, giving her water and wiping the sweat from her forehead, his expression painfully gentle.

"Huxton..." Jayla weakly grabbed his hand. "Ms. Myer—"

"Don't defend her. Just rest."

Margo's vision went black as the pain dragged her under.

The last thing she remembered was being hauled onto a stretcher.

She spent the entire night at the hospital.

Not one person came.

When she returned to the mansion the next day, no one was home.

Then her phone buzzed.

A photo from Jayla.

Under a bright blue sky by the ocean, Huxton had one arm around Jayla's waist as they smiled at the camera.

[Someone took me to the beach to cheer me up. He said I needed to relax after that awful scare.]

Margo locked her phone and went back to packing.

As she zipped her suitcase, something hit her.

Three years in this house, and everything she owned fit into one suitcase.

'I never belonged here.'

Just like she'd never had a place in his heart.

"Do you understand what you did wrong?"

Huxton's voice came from behind her.

Margo turned. He stood in the doorway in a sharp suit, frowning at her.

"Yes," she said quietly.

'It was loving him.

'And wasting all these years staying by his side.'

Huxton's expression softened.

"Good. Get changed. We're going to a party."

"A party?" Margo blinked.

"You seriously forgot my birthday?" Huxton frowned, like he couldn't believe it.

Then it clicked.

'Right. His birthday.'

Every year before, she'd have his cake ready, his gift picked out, and the whole party planned herself.

She knew his favorite flavors, what decorations he hated, even every birthday wish he'd ever made.

But this year?

She'd completely forgotten.

"You go ahead. I'll change, grab your gift, and meet you there."

"Huxton!" Jayla called sweetly from downstairs. "Everyone's waiting!"

Huxton nodded, giving Margo one last look.

"Hurry up."

Then he left, his footsteps fading down the hall.

Margo watched him go, a faint bitter smile on her lips.

'Huxton, this year, my birthday gift is me disappearing from your life for good.

'You can have Jayla.

'And I can finally be free.'

She grabbed her packed suitcase, took one last look at the place she'd called home for three years, and walked out without looking back.

The airport was packed.

At the gate, Margo pulled out her phone and sent Huxton one final message.

[Huxton, I'm leaving. I hope you and Jayla have a long, happy life together.]

Then she shut off her phone and headed for the gate.

Three years wasted on him.

And she'd finally woken up.

From now on, they'd go their separate ways.

And never see each other again.