Chapter 2

Chapter 2

After that, for every birthday, I didn't just buy him luxury items. I started making things by hand.

Hand-knit scarves, custom scrapbooks, engraved jewelry…

I did everything short of pulling the stars out of the sky for him.

But he never wore or used a single thing I made.

I knew Cynthia's post was a direct jab at me. Every time Zackary and I had a date, one text from her would send him running.

I sat alone in the massive, empty ballroom. I opened the expensive wine bottles on the tables one by one and drank.

Even as my stomach cramped with pain, the alcohol numbed the ache.

This was the end. I wouldn't forgive him this time.

I woke up the next morning with a blinding headache.

As expected, Zackary hadn't come home. He had spent the night with Cynthia.

I didn't call him. I just made myself some soup to settle my stomach. Usually, I was the one making it for him when he came home smelling like a bar.

I decided to bury myself in work to forget the pain.

My family's company was about to go public. It was a critical time for Miller Enterprises.

I was typing away at my laptop while sipping soup when the front door opened.

Zackary walked in. He had dark circles under his eyes, but he looked incredibly happy.

He jumped a little when he saw me. I was rarely up at 6:00 AM.

He walked over guiltily and put his hands on my shoulders, trying to give me a massage.

I kept my face cold and didn't say a word.

"Why are you up so early, babe? Go back to sleep for a bit."

He knew I was pissed. His voice was softer than usual.

"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you there alone last night."

"I was just panicked. Cynthia has no family here, no real friends. I'm all she has."

"You know she saved my life when we were kids. I have to pay her back for that."

When I didn't respond, he reached over and closed my laptop. He pulled me onto his lap to face him, acting cute.

Usually, this would have worked. I would have melted.

But this time, my heart was a block of ice.

"I've told you a thousand times, Zack. Cynthia wasn't the one who saved you. Why won't you believe me?"

"Jane, are you really going to claim it was you again? I woke up in her arms. There's no need to lie about this!"

He never listened. Not once in ten years.

"Zackary, let's break up. Since you and Cynthia are so clearly meant to be, I'm stepping out of the way."

It was the first time I had ever initiated a breakup. He nearly jumped out of his skin.

"How many times do I have to say it? We are just friends! Why are you acting like a child?"

"She's my savior. Instead of helping me look after her, you're throwing a tantrum. Grow up."

I pushed him off me and stood up. I started packing my bags.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. We are done. I'll explain everything to our parents."

I kept a separate apartment near the office, so I already had most of my things there. I called my driver immediately.

Seeing that I was serious, Zackary grabbed my arm. His eyes actually started to well up with tears.

"You're just mad about the party, right? Fine. Next weekend. I promise we'll finish the engagement."