Chapter 1

Three months before our wedding, I worked late shifts and DoorDash delivery gigs every night to save up for Hazel's dream bridal jewelry set.

On this day, I grabbed a high-tipping rush order to deliver a luxury proposal bouquet.

The destination was the new condo I had fully paid for and put under Hazel's name.

When I arrived, I caught my fiancée passionately kissing her childhood best friend.

Someone in the crowd chuckled and asked: "Aren't you worried your simp fiancé will find out?"

Hazel frowned: "He already gets the rest of my life. For these last three months, I just want to live out my deepest regret."

I smiled bitterly, handed over the flowers, and offered my blessing:

"In that case, leave no regrets behind. I wish you two a lifetime of happiness."

1

"Declan? What are you doing here doing deliveries? Wait, were you stalking me?"

A flicker of panic crossed Hazel's eyes as she fired off questions. Yet her fingers remained tightly intertwined with Shane's.

I didn't hear a single word clearly.

My head was buzzing, and my chest felt so tight I could barely breathe.

I gripped the bouquet until the stems crushed in my fist, staring at Hazel, hoping against hope for an explanation.

Why was my girlfriend of eight years proposing to another man behind my back?

And that man was Shane Carver, the childhood friend she always swore was "just like a little brother."

And what on earth was the "regret" she was talking about?

The cheerful party in the room instantly went dead silent.

Under my fixed stare, an uncomfortable look washed over Hazel's face. She snatched the bouquet from my hands, her tone turning irritated:

"We were just filming a skit! What's with the passive-aggressive attitude? You completely ruined the mood, and now we have to reshoot the whole scene!"

My jaw clenched as I demanded through gritted teeth:

"What kind of proposal skit requires you to shoot it in person? And why here? This is our future home, not his!"

"What's with this 'yours and mine' nonsense? Shane is my brother, which makes you his future brother-in-law. Why can't we borrow the place for an hour? Since when did you get so petty? If you can't stand it, then leave!"

"I deliberately chose a day when you had overtime. How was I supposed to know you'd randomly barge in?"

I parted my lips, but no words came out.

I had sprinted all the way up the stairs, dripping with sweat, yet right now, my whole body felt ice-cold.

My fists tightened. As I turned my head, a pile of colorful ceramic shards on the floor caught my eye.

Realizing what it was, I rushed over and brushed away the confetti to reveal the shattered vase.

It was the souvenir vase we made together on our first anniversary, engraved with our names and that special date.

When furnishing the new place, I had deliberately placed it on the most prominent shelf.

Because it was our first time doing pottery, it was clumsy and lopsided, but it was the very symbol of our beginning. Now, the scattered pieces on the floor cruelly signaled the ugly end of our eight-year marathon.

Seeing me stare at it, Hazel rolled her eyes and softened her tone slightly:

"Fine, I'm sorry. I only snapped at you because I panicked."

"As for the vase, Shane accidentally knocked it over while we were getting into character. You can just buy a new one later."

Shane stepped forward from behind her, subtly positioning himself in front of Hazel with undisguised smugness in his eyes.

"Brother Declan, don't blame Hazel. She was just doing me a favor. Don't worry, I'll sweep it all up before I leave."

I let out a bitter chuckle, asking in a low, trembling voice:

"Don't you even remember what that was?"

Hazel flipped her hair carelessly:

"It's just an ugly old vase. I wanted to toss it ages ago anyway. Honestly, it's good that it broke."

A sharp, hollow ache tore through my chest.

A tear dropped silently onto the broken ceramic.

She had forgotten long ago. I was the only fool cherishing these memories.

Hazel was my first love, whom I pursued relentlessly for five years. She always told me she lacked a sense of security in relationships.

So I lived frugally, pinching every penny until early this year, when I paid cash in full for this condo and put it entirely in her name. She finally agreed to my proposal.

I had been thrilled out of my mind. I visited countless jewelry stores to pick out a lavish bridal set, wanting to surprise her on our wedding day.

I never expected she would give me this kind of surprise first.

They resumed their little proposal drama. I watched her blush sweetly with the flowers in her arms, confessing her love for Shane.

Meanwhile, I had become nothing more than the clown in their grand farce.

Noticing my gaze, Shane raised a brow at me, lifted Hazel into his arms, spun her around, and kissed her passionately on the lips again.

Eight years of devotion, and this was my reward.

Swallowing the agony rising in my throat, I quietly turned around and walked out.

If they wanted to get married, they could have each other.

I didn't want this girlfriend anymore.