Chapter 1

The engagement party had been in full swing for hours, but my fiancé was nowhere to be found.

I called him dozens of times, but there was no answer. Finally, I saw a post from his childhood best friend, Macy.

"Someone has been working back-to-back for days, but because I wanted to, he came to swim with me."

The photo showed her and my fiancé taking a selfie by the pool.

In the background, a red vintage dress was tossed carelessly onto a chair. That was my grandmother's heirloom wedding gown.

Facing a room full of guests, I announced the engagement was off.

I had loved him for six years, but I was finally exhausted.

1.

As soon as the guests left, Caleb Quinn finally called.

A wave of irritation washed over me, but I answered anyway, driven by some lingering ghost of a habit.

Caleb's voice was cold and impatient.

"Come pick Macy and me up at the Nova Club."

I looked down at my hands, my voice flat. "I'm nearby."

The club was barely two hundred yards from the hotel where our engagement party was supposed to be.

"Why are you nearby?"

There was a pause, and then he let out a sharp "Oh."

"Oh, I forgot about today. We'll just do the engagement next time. Just come get us first."

I didn't say a word. He continued as if nothing was wrong.

"It's just an engagement, Aria. Don't be a brat. Just get over here."

Right. It was just an engagement to him.

My heart, my effort, and my family's heirloom gown meant nothing.

He insisted on a business trip right before the big day, promising to be back the night before.

Instead, he came back and went straight to Macy.

I hung up the phone. My chest felt tight, like I couldn't draw enough air.

I checked social media again. Caleb had posted a new update.

"My little girl loves her exercise."

The photo was Macy in a skimpy bikini, showing off by the pool.

An indescribable feeling of disgust rose in my throat, and I let out a bitter laugh.

It was only now that I realized how much of a third wheel I had been in my own relationship.

The obsession I had carried for six years vanished in an instant.