Chapter 1

The National Jewelry Design Competition was just around the corner. I had spent years preparing for this moment. But my fiancée, Vivienne Sterling, had other plans for me.

To pave the way for her secret lover, Ashton Brooks, she secretly swapped my professional application with a registration form for a low-level assembly line worker.

In an instant, I became the biggest laughingstock in the city.

"I bet the shoes I wear next year will be handmade by Young Master Thorne himself," one of the socialites mocked.

"I heard Vivienne already called off the engagement. Honestly, a factory rat like him doesn't deserve her anyway!"

Vivienne stood there, her arm wrapped around Ashton's waist. She looked at me with nothing but pure disgust.

"You only lost a chance to enter a competition, Caleb. But Ashton was about to lose his heart," she said, her voice dripping with fake pity.

"You aren't even worth his pinky finger. Did you really think you could compete with him for the gold medal?"

My heart felt like it was being crushed by a cold, iron fist.

After a long silence, she spoke again. She acted like a generous queen granting a peasant a favor. "Once Ashton wins the championship, I'll let you come back to me."

"Maybe then, I'll finally go through with the wedding."

I looked her in the eyes and slowly shook my head.

"Don't bother," I said.

"I'm done. You two deserve each other."

1

Vivienne's eyebrows snapped together the moment the words left my mouth. "What kind of tantrum are you throwing now, Caleb?"

"Go work in the factory for two years. It'll humble that arrogant rich-boy attitude of yours," she commanded. "Once you've learned your lesson, I'll come pick you up."

She looked down at me as if I were dirt on her designer heels. "Since you're going to be a worker anyway, give your design portfolio to Ashton. He needs it more than you."

I let out a dry, sarcastic laugh.

We had been childhood friends for twenty-five years. We had been engaged for three.

During those three years, I had asked her a dozen times when we would finally set a wedding date.

Every single time, she looked at me with nothing but annoyance.

"I'm still young, Caleb. Why are you so obsessed with tying me down with a marriage license?" she would snap.

"When the time is right, I'll marry you. Just stop nagging."

I had spent my whole life waiting for her. And this was the result.

I looked at her and sneered.

"I'm not going to any factory, and I'm definitely not giving him my work."

"He's a street rat. He doesn't have the talent or the class to touch my designs."

Ashton's face turned pale. He looked like he was about to burst into tears as he grabbed Vivienne's sleeve.

"Viv, it's okay. I grew up poor and had to drop out of school," he whimpered.

"Someone like me doesn't belong in a prestigious competition like this. Caleb is right. I should just give up."

Vivienne's heart immediately melted for him. She glared at me, her eyes full of rage. "How can you be so cruel?"

"Is it Ashton's fault he didn't grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth? How could you say such a thing?"

"Apologize to him right now, or I swear, I will make you pay for this."

Looking at her cold, beautiful face, the last shred of affection I had for her finally shattered.

It was over. Everything between us was dead.

Two weeks ago, I was hospitalized for a severe stomach ulcer. I called her, hoping she would visit me.

She called me a pathetic loser. She accused me of faking an illness just to copy Ashton, who happened to be sick at the same time.

I didn't even know he was in the hospital.

I tried to explain, but she hung up on me. In five days of being hospitalized, she didn't show up once.

And now, she had stolen my future to give it to her side piece.

"The great Caleb Thorne turned himself into a total simp. How embarrassing," a voice whispered from the crowd.

"She'd rather be with a broke loser than marry him. Hey man, maybe you should check yourself. Maybe you're just bad in bed."

The laughter around me was suffocating.

I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white. I met Vivienne's gaze. "Vivienne, since this is what you want, you've got it. The engagement is officially off."

For a split second, a flash of panic crossed Vivienne's eyes.

But before she could speak, Ashton chimed in.

"Caleb, I know you hate me, but please don't take it out on Viv. She's a lady. You can't treat her like this."

Vivienne recovered quickly and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You really think I'll believe you're breaking up with me?" she scoffed.

"Weren't you the one begging me to marry you just last month? Have you forgotten how you used to follow me around like a desperate dog?"

Ashton doubled over, laughing.

"Stop it, Caleb. You're acting like a literal clown right now."

"Maybe you're just bored and trying to make us laugh. We get it, you're funny."

"But honestly, being a dog for a woman as amazing as Viv isn't something to be ashamed of."

I didn't say a word. My expression only grew colder.

Vivienne stepped closer to me.

"Hand over the design sketches now. Don't make me actually go through with the breakup."

My heart ached, but my voice was steady.

"The designs stay with me. And the breakup? It's the only thing I'm looking forward to."