Chapter 3

3

It was painfully obvious that they had just come down from our apartment.

Their relationship had already progressed to this point.

I let out a long breath and slowly unclenched my fists.

I guess I was the only fool still clinging to past memories.

At least I woke up before walking down the aisle.

Alyssa's arrogant words made me want to roll my eyes.

In the past, I might have thrown away all my pride to beg for her affection.

Now that my mind was clear, only an idiot would stay with a fickle, unfaithful woman.

I kept my voice flat and icy.

"Don't flatter yourself. I was just passing by."

Alyssa's expression froze.

"What did you say?"

She frowned, scrutinizing my emotionless face, and swallowed the insult on the tip of her tongue.

"Damon felt nauseous from drinking, so I just took him upstairs to rest. Don't get the wrong idea―I'm not explaining myself to you. I just don't want you throwing another psychotic fit."

Miraculously, Alyssa had actually offered an explanation.

Beside her, Damon's face darkened for a split second before he chimed in with fake sincerity.

"Ethan, please don't misunderstand. I wasn't feeling well, which is why Alyssa brought me to your place."

What was the point of explaining now?

I remembered Alyssa once telling me that this apartment was our private sanctuary. No one else was allowed in, not even Eleanor.

Yet Damon had waltzed right through the front door without any resistance.

The very last trace of warmth between us had completely evaporated.

I didn't even want to go upstairs to pack my things anymore. It felt tainted.

It was better to end the engagement right here and walk away clean.

I took a deep breath and spoke.

"Alyssa, we―"

Alyssa cut me off with an arrogant wave of her hand.

"Save your breath, Ethan. Apologizing now won't do you any good."

"Damon and I are completely innocent, yet you publicly slandered me at the party and made a fool out of me. If you don't apologize properly, the wedding is off."

Her words caused a tiny ripple in my numb heart.

It was pure rage.

Innocent? She had the nerve to say that word out loud.

I let out a harsh scoff.

A month ago, while Alyssa and I were picking out engagement rings, a disheveled man suddenly grabbed her hand in the jewelry store.

Thinking he was an aggressive beggar, I shoved him away and pulled Alyssa behind me protectively.

Instead of thanking me, Alyssa screamed and shoved me hard because the man had fallen to the ground.

She rushed over to him in a panic, crying out Damon's name and asking if he was hurt.

When I heard that name, I stood frozen in place, a heavy dread sinking into my stomach.

Her toxic ex had returned, and she acted like she had completely forgotten how he shattered her heart years ago.

She started lying to me, claiming she was meeting business clients when she was actually spending the day with Damon.

Because she neglected her duties at the firm, my workload doubled overnight. I worked myself to exhaustion until my stomach ulcer ruptured from stress and drinking at corporate dinners.

When I collapsed and was rushed to the emergency room, coughing up blood, I genuinely thought I was dying. I called her, begging her to come stay by my side.

She coldly dismissed me, claiming I was faking an illness just to get her attention out of jealousy.

Over the phone, I clearly heard Damon telling her in the background that he was craving braised pork chops.

She chuckled softly and promised him she would cook them right away.

My heart turned to ice that night, and something fundamental broke inside me.

I never even knew the spoiled princess I worshipped could cook.

What broke me further was finding out that the multi-million dollar contract I had nearly died to secure was casually handed over to Damon by Alyssa.

When I confronted her, she called me petty. She claimed Damon had suffered bad investments abroad and that she was merely showing basic human sympathy.

After that, she grew increasingly distant as a way to punish my jealousy.

And today, at our engagement party, she had the audacity to flaunt her intimacy with him right in front of my face.

Snapping back to reality, I gave a self-deprecating smile.

I deserved an award for endurance. How had I tolerated her nonsense for so long?

Damon chimed in, pointing a finger at me with mock righteousness.

"A woman should be cherished, especially someone as sweet as Alyssa. If I were her man, I would never let her suffer a single grievance! Ethan, you should apologize to her right now!"

Alyssa basked in his praise, nodding smugly.

"See, Ethan? Look at Damon, and then look at yourself! You don't compare to him in any way!"

Watching their sickening little duet, a wave of nausea washed over me.

The girl I had treated like a treasure had turned into a complete stranger.

The pain and scars she had inflicted on me had completely eclipsed the light and warmth she once gave me.

I exhaled slowly, my voice dropping deadpan.

"Shut up."

I looked Alyssa dead in the eye, slid the engagement ring off my finger, and casually tossed it at her feet.

"Alyssa, you got your wish. The engagement is officially canceled."