Chapter 1

While I was working myself to the bone to save money for Caden, he was busy renting out an entire theme park to propose to some college girl.

I was being paid fifty bucks to play a background actor just to set the mood, while he was lighting up the whole city with fireworks for her.

I watched the romantic confession written across the sky, then silently walked away and packed my bags.

He thought I was just throwing a tantrum, confidently telling his friends that I would be on his knees begging for him within three days.

He didn't realize the truth until I posted a photo of my one-way ticket out of the country.

Suddenly, Caden was the one on his knees, clutching nine hundred and ninety-nine roses and begging me not to leave him.

01

On our fifth anniversary, I sat alone in a quiet Italian bistro.

The waiter asked me if I was ready to order since I had booked a table for two.

I whispered that he was just running late, but my eyes couldn't stop checking my phone.

The only reply I got to my message yesterday was a single word: "Busy."

It seemed like he had completely forgotten what today was.

I opened a small box on the table and slid one half of a couple's ring set onto my finger.

I had prepared these as a surprise, hoping he would at least show up for the sake of tradition.

But he cared even less than I imagined.

Two weeks ago, I was so excited to prepare for this day.

But as he watched me scramble, he just got annoyed and said, "There is no need for all this. You know your bank account is empty, so any surprise you plan is basically coming out of my pocket anyway."

I stayed silent for a long time, forced to admit he was right.

My family was struggling, and I had a younger brother to support while I finished my master's degree.

I had to work multiple part-time jobs just to survive.

He was different; his family was wealthy, and he could live a luxury life without ever lifting a finger.

But a fire was burning inside me.

From that day on, I lived on bread and water while taking on every shift I could find.

I was broke just to afford this anniversary surprise.

Now, it felt like every cent had been flushed down the toilet.

By the time I snapped out of it, my pasta was cold and clumped together.

I couldn't bear to waste it, so I forced myself to take a bite.

The cold, oily taste made me feel sick, but I knew Caden liked this place.

I had changed everything about myself just to please him.

Suddenly, my phone screen lit up.

I grabbed it, hoping it was him, but it was just a notification from a job group.

"Need 20 people to play crowd members for a proposal at the pier tonight at 7 PM! 100 bucks for an hour! Hurry!"

Someone replied, "This guy is throwing money around! I'm in!"

I needed the money, so I signed up immediately.

Standing at the entrance of the pier, I felt a pang of nostalgia.

This was where Caden and I had our first date.

He had asked me to be his girlfriend at the top of the Ferris wheel.

I had hesitated because of the gap in our social status.

But he told me he loved me for who I was and didn't care about money.

So, I had let him take my hand.

For the sake of that one sentence, I moved in with him and became his personal chef and maid.

I craved his love, but lately, he had less and less to give.

I sighed and hurried toward the proposal site.

The area was covered in roses, and giant heart-shaped balloons were visible from a mile away.

The crowd was whispering about how romantic and expensive the setup was.

I pushed to the front of the crowd, ready to cheer, only to see Caden on one knee.

He was holding a ring out to a woman in a designer dress.

"Lydia, will you marry me?" he asked.