Chapter 3

3

In the morning, Caleb came back with breakfast.

He softened his voice as if he wasn't the heartless man from the night before.

"Go wash up and eat. I didn't know if you were still on a diet, so I bought a bit of everything."

A diet? That was a lifetime ago.

Back when I was dancing, I had to watch my weight. He used to worry about me, finding the best low-calorie treats.

He'd tease me, saying, "I think you're beautiful already. You don't need to lose weight."

Once you've tasted pure love, you can't stand even a grain of sand in your eye, let alone betrayal.

I noticed the scratch marks on his neck that he couldn't hide. I sat down and ate breakfast as if I saw nothing.

He sat with me, pouring my water.

For a moment, we had a peaceful morning. No fighting, no interruptions.

It almost made me forget the bet.

Suddenly, a digital screen appeared in the air.

"Bet detected. Avery Quinn loses Round One. Penalty: Everything related to Caleb Sterling will vanish."

I heard Caleb's voice from behind me. "Wait, why does the room look so empty? All the gifts I gave you… they're gone? Did you…"

I didn't want him to get suspicious. "No, I just… we're moving into the new house after the wedding, right? I packed them early."

It saved me the trouble of cleaning, honestly.

I ignored the sharp pang of regret in my chest.

I forced a smile, trying not to think about the things that were gone.

The 18th birthday gift. The lucky charm he climbed a thousand steps to get for me. The wooden carving he cut his hands making.

All those memories could vanish so easily.

"Avery? Where's my goodbye kiss?"

Caleb's voice pulled me back.

He was waiting at the door, tilting his face up like a child. Looking at him made me want to throw up.

When things were good, this was our sweet little ritual. It was the highlight of my morning.

Now, I just felt physically ill, as if he had filth smeared on his face.

"I'm running late. Maybe next time."

He froze. The sting of rejection and his male ego kept him silent.

He slammed the door so hard the house shook.