Chapter 1

On my birthday, Zachary Young didn't come home to have dinner with me.

He only sent me a Venmo for $520 with a message that read: "I love you."

A moment later, his assistant posted on her story.

It was a screenshot of him transferring $52,000 to her. His message to her was: "I'll love you until I'm old and grey."

I didn't make a scene or confront him. I simply packed my things and left the city.

On the first day I was gone, I heard Zachary didn't care at all. He told his friends, "She'll be back in a few days."

A month later, Zachary called me. "I'll send you half a million dollars. Just come home, okay?"

But what I wanted was never the money.

1.

Under Kayla Collins's post, there were several comments.

They were from Zachary's friends, people I used to be close with.

"Damn, Zach is a big spender! He just drops tens of thousands like it's nothing."

"I just saw Sierra's post. Zach only sent her five hundred bucks. I guess little Kayla is the one who really matters to him!"

I stared at the screen, my mind going blank for a few seconds.

Today was my birthday. Zachary had texted me early this morning saying he was too busy with work to come home.

Then he sent that $520.

"I love you," he had written.

Suddenly, the seven years I spent with him felt like a cruel joke.

In his heart, I was worth $520, while Kayla was worth $52,000.

Kayla updated her story again, this time with a video.

They were at a high-end lounge. Zachary was looking into the camera with deep affection while singing a love song.

People around them were cheering. "Zach, you really love Kayla, don't you?"

"When are you going to dump Sierra and finally be with Kayla officially?"

The video cut off right there.

I gripped my phone tight. My chest felt tight, like I couldn't breathe.

I looked at the dining table. It was covered with dishes I had spent two hours cooking.

There was also a cake I had made by hand.

I really thought we could have a beautiful birthday together this year.

But once again, he used work as an excuse to abandon me for Kayla.

He had done this countless times over the past seven years.

I should have been used to it by now.

I turned off my phone and opened the cake box. I took a photo of myself with the cake.

I posted it on my feed.

I've always had the habit of recording my birthdays.

This year would be no different. I wasn't going to let anyone ruin my tradition.

After posting, I cut a slice and took a bite.

The cream was sweet and melted in my mouth, but all I could taste was bitterness.

I realized my relationship with Zachary was just like this cake.

Except this cake had something rotten hidden deep inside.

Once the sweetness was gone, only the stench remained.