Chapter 1

My boyfriend, Eduardo, suddenly changed direction halfway through our drive. We’d been together for five years.

“We’re not seeing my parents today.”

I looked at him, confused. We’d been planning this meeting for ages.

He grabbed a beautifully wrapped teddy bear from the back seat and handed it to me. “It’s my son’s first birthday party later. As my girlfriend, it wouldn’t be right for you to show up empty-handed.”

My mind went blank. “Your… son?”

“Yeah, a mistake I made a year ago. His mom has a bad temper, and I couldn't let my son grow up without a complete family.”

He spoke as if discussing the weather. “You always wanted to move to this city, right? Now you’re here; it’s like your dream has come true.”

I clutched the resignation letter I’d written for him, my nails digging into my palms.

Yes, I was here. But it seemed like I was completely superfluous.

Eduardo didn't seem to notice my frozen posture. He simply started the car.

He even smiled, ruffling my hair.

“Ellis, I know you’re upset, but Susan is just a straight shooter; she doesn’t mean any harm.”

“You know, it’s not easy for a single mom raising a child. I have to take responsibility.”

“She and I are just co-parenting for Ronald. You’re the only one I truly love.”

I looked at him, my throat feeling like it was stuffed with cotton.

Susan, that was the name he’d saved as "Client S" on his phone.

For the past year, that name always lit up his screen late at night.

He always said it was a demanding client, and for our future, he had to tolerate them.

I believed him.

Only now did I realize it wasn't a client. It was his other family.

I looked at the teddy bear he’d given me, with cute cartoon characters printed on the wrapping paper.

The irony hit me like a physical slap.

“So, for this past year, while you were planning a future with me, you were also playing husband and father to another woman?”

My voice trembled uncontrollably.

He frowned, a hint of impatience in his tone. “What are you talking about? We’re not legally married.”

“If she hadn’t threatened me with Ronald, I wouldn’t have bothered with her at all.”

“Ellis, you’ve always been so sensible, and you understood the hardships of my startup. Don’t throw a tantrum over this.”

“Our five years together, can it really be less significant than an accident?”

I stared at him.

Five years ago, we were crammed into a tiny rented apartment.

He held my research manuscript, his eyes burning with excitement.

“Ellis, believe me, this cardiac intervention repair technology will change the world!”

“When the company goes public, the first thing I’ll do is marry you and make you the happiest woman in the world.”

For that promise, I gave up the opportunity to study abroad.

I invested all the inheritance my parents left me, along with myself, into him.

I became his shadow, helping him overcome one technical challenge after another.

And he, standing in the spotlight, became a successful young tech entrepreneur.

Now, the company was finally on track, and our marital home was about to be ready.

I had even written my resignation letter for him, preparing to completely become a stay-at-home partner.

But he told me he had a son.

I slowly crumpled the resignation letter into a ball.

“Eduardo, we’re over.”

He paused, then laughed as if he’d heard the funniest joke.

“Had enough drama yet?”

“You’ve been with me since you were twenty; you gave your best years to me. Who else would want you besides me?”

“Ellis, you have no family name, no connections. The job you have was thanks to me. How would you survive without me?”

He parked the car in front of a lavish hotel.

“Go think about it carefully. Don’t be so childish.”

“I’m going up first. Adjust your mood before you come up. Don’t embarrass me.”

The car door closed, cutting off his retreating figure.

I leaned on the steering wheel, a wave of nausea churning in my stomach.

Eduardo was wrong. I wasn't the one who couldn't leave him.

I gazed at the dazzling neon lights outside the window for a long time before picking up my phone.

I dialed a number I hadn't touched in five years.