Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Scorn of an Ex

News of the broken engagement spread fast.

That night, Zachary called me over a dozen times. I didn't pick up once.

He sent countless texts, ranging from "Nadine, please calm down" to "My mom was harsh, but she means well." He even tried the emotional guilt trip: "Are you really throwing away three years just like this?"

I didn't reply to a single one.

The next day at work, my coworker Sarah leaned in mysteriously. "Nadine, I heard you called off the wedding? Zachary's mom is telling everyone you're stuck-up, difficult, and greedy about the money."

I kept my mouth shut and continued working.

At lunch, my best friend Chloe ran over, fuming as she shoved her phone in my face. "Look at this! Look at what his mother posted on Facebook!"

I looked down. Mrs. Miller had written a long, dramatic post.

The gist was: The Millers had kindly offered to welcome me, but I had thrown a tantrum over the money and dumped her son. She claimed I was fickle and heartless, and that I'd end up alone and miserable because no man wants a woman like me.

The post included a photo of the messy dinner table with my empty seat prominently displayed.

The comments were filled with people enabling her. "Wow, she sounds entitled." "He's lucky to be rid of her." "Who does she think she is?"

Chloe stamped her foot in frustration. "These people have no idea! They don't know the insane demands that family made!"

I took a sip of water and handed the phone back.

"Let her talk."

"You're not angry?"

"What's the point? She owns her mouth." I packed up my lunch. "Let her keep digging that hole. The harder she talks now, the more it'll hurt when the truth hits her face."

But it didn't stop there.

Mrs. Miller didn't just stay online. She went to the local grocery store where my mother shops, cornering our old neighbors to spread lies about me being a gold digger and a bad daughter.

When my mom called me, her voice was thick with unshed tears. "Nadine, I'm so sorry. It's my fault you're being humiliated like this."

My nose stung, but I forced the tears back. "Mom, this has nothing to do with you. They're the ones with no shame. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

After hanging up, I stood on the office rooftop for a long time.

The wind was biting, whipping my hair around my face. I thought about Zachary's last message: "Nadine, when you calm down, you'll realize no one will ever love you as much as I did."

I let out a cold, sharp laugh.

Fine. Let's see about that.