Chapter 2

2

Within an hour, Ashton's name topped the trending charts on social media.

He had posted a cozy selfie showing a slender, feminine hand resting around his waist.

Matching platinum promise rings gleamed on both of their fingers.

His caption read: "My personal hand warmer."

The comment section exploded with adoration and venom alike.

"They look so perfect together! True love wins!"

"It was all that nasty side piece's fault. Homewreckers deserve to burn in hell."

"I bet his whole family is full of cheap freeloaders with no morals."

"A dancer? More like a shameless clout-chaser."

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth, shut down the app, and focused on finalizing my mother's hospital transfer and international travel documents.

As twilight settled over the city, Kendra stepped into the master bedroom.

"Look what I brought you," she said with a bright smile.

She ruffled my hair playfully and pulled a velvet box from her luxury shopping bag, presenting a diamond ring like a prized trophy.

The metal band was noticeably scuffed along the edge.

In the past, any small trinket from Kendra would have made my entire week.

Now, looking at it only turned my stomach.

I didn't even look up from my laptop, keeping my voice icy cold.

"No thanks. I have no use for it."

Internet sleuths had already revealed that exact ring hours ago. It was merely a complimentary gift that came with Ashton's designer set.

Kendra's smile vanished instantly, her expression darkening into a scowl.

"What is wrong with you? Do you really have to throw a tantrum over something so trivial? I guess I've spoiled you too much."

Seeing her turn on her heel toward the door, I pointed a finger at the faint red mark visible on her collarbone.

"Next time you play the devoted partner, cover your hickey properly. It looks cheap."

She rushed over to the full-length mirror, her eyes widening in surprise.

Her jaw clenched tightly as she paced back and forth across the hardwood floor.

Without another word, she slammed the door and left.

I let out a long breath, suddenly feeling like the suffocating air in the room had cleared.

The next morning, I leaned heavily against the wall, limping slowly toward the front door.

To my surprise, Kendra was still in the living room.

She naturally took the duffel bag from my shoulder, her voice stiff and rigid.

"Let's go. Since your leg is messed up, I'll drive you to the clinic."

My knee throbbed with every single step, the pain so intense that I had bitten my lip until it bled.

I wasn't going to let pride stop me from getting medical care, so I nodded and got into the passenger seat.

Resting on the floor mat was a pair of Ashton's designer canvas sneakers.

Kendra caught my glance and cleared her throat awkwardly. "Ashton gets foot fatigue easily after commercial shoots."

I nodded quietly, offering no reaction.

This kind of blatant double standard was nothing new to me.

My heart was already dead to her. If not for my mother's medical bills, I would have walked away long ago.

Halfway to the medical center, the car's console screen lit up with an incoming call: "Baby Ashton."

I couldn't hear what he said on the line, but Kendra's face shifted into pure panic.

She slammed on the brakes by the curb. "Get an Uber from here."

I looked down at my swollen knee, rolled my eyes at the absurdity, and forced myself out of the vehicle.

By the time I dragged myself into the hospital lobby, my shirt was soaked in cold sweat.

On my way to the billing counter, I passed the ultrasound department and spotted Kendra and Ashton sitting close together.

They wore matching oversized beige hoodies, a sight that felt like an ugly slap in the face.

Two years ago, I had excitedly filled an entire closet with matching couples' outfits for us.