Chapter 1

When we were picking out our wedding rings, the jeweler brought out a diamond ring, and Brandon instinctively handed it to Vanessa.

Vanessa’s slender fingers showed off the diamond flawlessly.

Brandon stared, completely entranced, before turning to the clerk.

"Size 5. Have it custom-made to this size."

I held out my hand. "My ring size is a 7. That won’t fit me."

He frowned. "Your hands are practically the same size. As long as it looks good on her, it’s fine."

His friend Jason chuckled from the side.

"Come on, Chloe, don't be so petty. Back in college, everyone knew how hard Brandon chased Vanessa. Just let him fulfill an old dream."

Brandon didn't deny it. He just muttered, "Stop overthinking."

I smiled.

If this was his dream come true, I’d gladly step aside and let him have it.

"It's pitch black, and it's not safe for Vanessa to take a cab alone. I'm driving her home."

Brandon said this without even looking at me. He took Vanessa’s hand and led her straight to the passenger seat.

Vanessa glanced back, flashing me a sweet, innocent smile.

"Chloe, I’m so sorry. I hope you don't mind calling an Uber."

I nodded.

"It's fine. Go ahead."

The car door slammed shut, the engine roared, and the red taillights vanished into the night.

The November wind slashed against my cheeks like a blade.

I pulled my coat tighter and stood on the curb for fifteen minutes before my ride arrived.

Seeing me shivering in the back seat, the driver couldn't help but ask,

"Miss, it's freezing out. Why didn't your boyfriend drive you?"

"He was driving someone else," I said calmly.

The driver paused and didn't say another word.

Back at the apartment, I slipped off my shoes in the entryway, pulled out my phone, and called the venue.

"Hello, Cloudview Ballroom and Events."

"Hi, this is Chloe Bennett. I have a wedding hall booked for next weekend. I want to cancel both the ceremony and the reception."

The line went silent for two seconds.

"Ms. Bennett, your wedding date is only a week away. Per the contract, your deposit is non-refundable."

"I know. Keep the deposit. Just cancel everything."

"Understood. May I ask the reason for the cancellation?"

I gave a dry laugh. "I just don't feel like getting married anymore."

At eleven-thirty that night, the front door unlocked.

When Brandon walked in, he brought in the cloying scent of sweet floral perfume.

It wasn't his usual cologne. It was Vanessa’s signature scent.

He paused when he saw me sitting at my laptop.

"Still awake?"

"Working on my portfolio."

Assuming I was still sulking, he tossed his coat onto the couch.

"Don't be dramatic. The wedding is next week. Don't make a big deal out of the ring."

He walked into the bedroom without another word and crashed onto the mattress without even changing out of his clothes.

I shut my laptop, took a shower, and slept on the living room couch all night.

At seven the next morning, Brandon was still asleep.

I quietly slipped into the home office and pulled up all bank transfers and shared expense statements from the past five years.

I didn't bother nitpicking every cent. I simply exported every record I could find and backed them up into an encrypted folder.

Then, I opened a job board, found listings at three top architectural design firms in the city, and submitted my resume and portfolio.

Within half an hour, one of them—Apex Studio—replied, scheduling a video interview for the day after tomorrow.

I logged out of my email and closed my laptop.

As I walked out of the study, Brandon was just emerging from the bedroom.

"Why are you up so early?"

"I have blueprints to finish."

He nodded.

He poured a glass of water from the kitchen, then turned back as if remembering something.

"Oh, by the way. Vanessa just moved back to the city and doesn't have a place yet. I lent her our old apartment for the time being. Head over and clean it up sometime today."

Looking at his casual, entitled attitude, not a single ripple stirred in my chest.

"Okay."

Assuming I had surrendered as usual, he smiled, walked over, and patted my head.

"That's my girl. Be good."

I didn't dodge, nor did I say anything.

The moment he walked out the door, I pulled out my phone and dialed a moving company.

"Hi, I’d like to book a moving truck for this weekend. Do you have an opening?"

"We do. How much are you moving?"

I looked around the place I’d lived in for three years, letting my eyes sweep across every corner.

"Not much. Just my own things."

Hanging up, I stood on the balcony and watched Brandon’s car slowly pull out of the gate.

The morning sun was brilliant, but my heart had long turned to ice.

Brandon, you wanted your dream so badly?

I’m giving it to you.