Chapter 1

On our anniversary, Chloe gave me a tiny diamond cluster ring under a carat.

She said, “I will love you for the rest of my life.”

Minutes later, her secretary posted on social media: “She said she will love me until the end of time.”

The attached photo showed a luxury custom-designed ring.

My heart went cold. I did not scream or demand an explanation like I used to.

Instead, I quietly packed my bags and prepared to leave.

Six years of commitment had evaporated into thin air.

1.

The comments under Gavin’s post were a public execution.

“Omg, Chloe only gave her guy some sub-carat scrap, but she got you this? She is so good to you!”

“That ruby on your finger looks like at least five carats!”

“Right? Some people only get dust. Hilarious.”

“Out with the old, in with the new. Who wears worn-out clothes anyway?”

Today was our six-year anniversary.

To give her a surprise, I had spent a whole month planning it.

I booked a table at the city’s top hilltop steakhouse.

I even hand-crafted a scrapbook documenting every little moment we shared.

I waited eagerly for her arrival, imagining her delighted smile.

Yet, as closing time neared, all I got was a cold delivery box from a courier.

Inside lay a generic diamond ring under a carat, not even gift-wrapped.

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, telling myself she was just too busy.

Then my phone lit up with a text from Chloe.

“Did you get the ring? Do you like it? Love you forever.”

“I’m stuck entertaining a major client tonight and can’t get away.”

The word “forever” briefly soothed the ache in my chest.

I eagerly snapped a picture of the ring and shared it on my feed.

The next second, my post was buried by Gavin’s update.

That glaring ruby ring felt like a slap in the face, mocking my foolish innocence.

The waiter approached, gently asking if I wanted anything else.

I snapped back to reality, staring at the cold plates on the table.

A deep bitterness welled up inside me.

I shoved a piece of cold steak into my mouth, chewing aggressively.

Cold sweat broke out from a sharp pang in my stomach.

Still, my stomach did not hurt nearly as much as my shattered heart.