In the end, it was my parents who stayed behind to talk to me.

"Why don't you come back with us to Elbridge?"

It wasn't the first time they'd tried to convince me to return.

I sat there, drained, and looked up to meet their hopeful eyes.

They were the founders of the largest law firm in Elbridge. It was because of them that I chose to become a lawyer in the first place.

Their plan had always been for me to grow up and train at our firm, but everything changed when I met Rachel during graduate school and followed her to Westerbay.

Rachel came from a modest background and always hated it when people mentioned wealth or privilege. So, I never told her the truth about my family. In her eyes, I was just another ordinary guy from the countryside, like her.

Over the past five years, I have progressed from a junior associate to a well-established attorney. Together, Rachel and I had won the firm's bonus award for three consecutive years. Everyone joked that we were the perfect power couple.

Life had gotten better and better. I had thought that maybe it wouldn't matter anymore, and I wanted to tell her the truth. But I never found the right moment.

As I sat there thinking, I let out a quiet sigh.

I didn't need to tell her anymore.

"Alright," I finally said. "I'll go back with you."

Their eyes immediately lit up. My father squeezed my hand, his voice full of relief.

"Good. We'll book your flight today. We're not going to let you suffer through this anymore."

After settling them in, I returned home. The apartment was as cold and empty as always.

I made a quick bowl of pasta and opened my social media feed. Right at the top was a new post from Ethan.

In the photo, he stood next to Rachel, dressed in workout gear. They looked close, like always.

"I tricked her into skipping her wedding and convinced her to play tennis with me," the caption read. "She got a little mad at first, but I promised dinner at my place and she forgave me."

The moment I read it, I felt a wave of nausea and had to cover my mouth.

I knew Rachel wouldn't be back later that night, just like always.

Fortunately, Rachel and I never got legally married. I would never have to compromise myself for her again.

The next morning, I packed my bags and went to the office to submit my resignation.

Due to my strong performance, my manager, Harrison Graham, attempted to dissuade me from it. While we were still discussing it, Rachel walked in holding a stack of case files.

I caught a glimpse of her neck. Faint red marks remained, along with that familiar citrus scent that always hung in the air after a long night.

She looked like she'd had a wild evening.

She used to hate it when I left any marks on her, saying that it looked unprofessional. Even during our most passionate moments, I held back for her. Sometimes, I'd just grab the sheets instead.

Now I realized that it wasn't that she hated the marks. She just didn't want them from me.

As she stepped in, Harrison sighed and turned to her. "Perfect timing. Maybe you can talk to your boyfriend. He's trying to quit. Did you two have a fight?"

"It has nothing to do with her," I calmly said.

"You're quitting?" she asked.

We spoke at the same time. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught her gaze on me, lips slightly pressed together.

"I knew it. You're still mad about me canceling the wedding yesterday, aren't you?"

Harrison glanced between us, then politely excused himself to give us space. As soon as the door closed, Rachel stepped forward and questioned me.

"I already told you, I only canceled because Ethan hurt his leg. Are you seriously still upset?"

I did my best to keep my voice steady and forced out a lie.

"I'm not angry. I'm just tired. I need a break. I want to travel for a while."

She crossed her arms, frowning in confusion.

"If you need a break, why not just take some paid time off? Quitting so suddenly makes it appear as though you have a problem with Ethan. He's just a young man. How is he supposed to keep working here if you leave like this?"

She didn't remember that I had already used all my paid time off—wasted them on every wedding she walked out of. But all she cared about was how Ethan would manage at the firm.

The sadness in my chest grew heavier.

I glanced at the mark on her neck again without saying a single word. She noticed and instinctively covered it. "That's just a mosquito bite. Don't overthink it."

I was a little surprised. Instead of yelling or arguing, she actually tried to explain it away. Her excuse was terrible, but if it had been before, I would've believed her.

I nodded silently.

She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that I had let it go, and smiled as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

"That's more like it. A real lawyer knows how to stay composed. Don't be dramatic about quitting. How about dinner at Moonlight Bistro tonight? It'll be my treat to make it up to you."

I didn't respond, and she took my silence as a sign of agreement.

I had wanted to say goodbye properly, but the urge to open up faded. I no longer felt the need to tell her that I was moving back to Elbridge.

"Rachel!" Ethan pushed the door open without knocking. Startled, Rachel immediately let go of me.

Ethan gave an awkward smile. "I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I really need your help. I don't understand this case at all."

Without hesitation, Rachel walked over to him, took the file, and gently asked what he didn't understand. Her voice was soft and patient as she did so.

Ethan stood close, leaning in while the two of them whispered to each other like I wasn't even there. It was as if a wall had gone up between us.

Then, Ethan took Rachel's hand and led her out. As he closed the door behind them, he glanced back and gave me a smug smile.

The room fell silent except for my own breathing.

A second later, the jade signet ring on my finger suddenly slipped off and fell on the floor.

Rachel had given it to me on our one-year anniversary. She said she wanted our relationship to be like that ring—complete and lasting.

Although it wasn't something a man would typically wear, I put it on every day.

I stood there quietly for a long time. Then, ignoring the pain from the sharp broken edge cutting into my hand, I picked up the pieces.

Along with the last bits of attachment I had left, I threw everything into the trash.

After I firmly submitted my resignation to Harrison, I returned to my desk to wrap up the last of my tasks.

Gwen Yarrow, a colleague I had always gotten along with, looked visibly reluctant to see me go.

"Liam, are you really leaving?" she asked. "That means that I'll have to watch those two shameless people flirt in front of me every single day!"

I followed her gaze. Rachel was leaning over Ethan's desk, explaining a case to him. A moment later, Ethan seemed to pout after being gently scolded by her.

To cheer him up, Rachel suddenly pulled out a Rolex watch and handed it to him. Ethan immediately lit up and happily put it on.

Then, he finally looked over and met my eyes. He jumped to his feet and quickly explained, "Liam, nothing is going on between Rachel and me. This is just a regular watch!"

The room instantly grew quiet. Everyone looked between the two of us.

In our five years of dating, Rachel had never given me a single expensive gift. They all thought, just like she did, that I was from some small rural town and wouldn't know a designer brand if I saw one.

People looked at me with pity. Even Gwen, who stood beside me, muttered angrily under her breath, "You two are still together, and they're playing you like a fool!"

I placed a hand on her arm and shook my head, trying to calm her down and prevent her from causing a scene. Then, I looked back at Ethan and calmly said, "That watch looks good on you. It suits you."

He seemed surprised that I wasn't angry and quickly added, "Liam, I swear, it's just a regular watch. Please don't be upset."

But I wasn't, not even a little. I had plenty of watches like that back home in Elbridge.

Rachel frowned and got to her feet. "Liam, stop being ridiculous."

I let out a quiet sigh and shook my head again. "I'm really not upset. You all need to stop assuming things about me," I said calmly.

Rachel seemed taken aback by my composure, then scoffed under her breath. "You had better mean that."

She sat back down next to Ethan.

Gwen leaned toward me and quietly asked, "Are you just going to let them off that easily?"

I shrugged as I sorted my documents. "Yeah. I've already decided to end our relationship. I just haven't told her yet."

We had held 52 weddings and not one of them happened. I was tired.

After work, Rachel actually came over to help me pack up my things. "Let's go. I booked a table for 8:00 pm at Moonlight Bistro. We'll get there just in time."

Her eyes fell on my bare wrist, and she momentarily froze. "Where's the ring I gave you?" she asked.

"I didn't want to cause it any damage, so I left it at home," I replied smoothly.

She clearly relaxed and smiled. "You used to wear it every day. Now you're suddenly worried about keeping it safe?"

Before I could come up with a better excuse, Ethan ran over and stopped next to us. He exclaimed, "I'm ready, Rachel!"

Her attention immediately shifted to him. She nodded and told him to wait in the car.

I watched him head straight to the driver's seat and put on the safety belt.

In our five years of dating, I had never once sat in that seat. Rachel had always told me that it was for her future husband, and I could only drive her car after we were married.

When I caught Ethan's smug look, I lowered my gaze and didn't respond. I didn't feel anything anymore.

At the restaurant, Rachel and Ethan sat side by side as they ordered, not once asking what I wanted to eat.

However, I didn't mind. I propped my chin on my hand and looked out the window, quietly enjoying the view. After all, I wouldn't get to see it again after tomorrow.

When the food arrived, Rachel peeled a bowl of shrimp for me and placed it in front of me. "This place serves really good shrimp," she said, with a soft smile.

I looked up, caught off guard by her unexpected thoughtfulness.

Ethan quickly chimed in, eager to take credit."I'm the one who recommended this place to Rachel. Last time we came, she ate three full plates!"

Rachel's cheeks turned red in embarrassment. "Why would you say that in front of Liam?"

Feigned, Ethan quickly covered his mouth, then looked at me sheepishly. "Sorry, Liam. Don't let that ruin your impression of her, okay?"

The two of them started laughing and teasing each other again right in front of me.

I looked at the shrimp, suddenly losing all my appetite. I forced myself to take a bite, then pushed the bowl away. "I don't like shrimp. You eat it."

They both stopped.

Rachel hesitated, then cautiously asked, "Are you upset?"

I shook my head. "No. The shrimp's too fishy. I'm not used to the taste."

Just like the two of them, it was too much to stomach.

After dinner, Rachel drove Ethan home. He was drunk, so of course, I was the one who had to close the door behind them.

Once they left, I grabbed a taxi straight to the airport.

Back on my phone, Rachel was still messaging me, discussing plans for the next wedding. Maybe she felt guilty. She even offered to plan this one herself.

"Don't worry. This time, I'll make sure it actually happens. No one will interrupt us!"

I replied emotionlessly, "Okay."

I already knew it wouldn't happen, just like all the others.

As I was about to board the plane, she sent me one more message. It read, "Ethan's stomach is upset from drinking. I won't be coming home tonight. Take care of yourself, okay?"

I scoffed. I had already expected that.

I responded, "No problem. You can stay at his place if you want. I've moved out. We won't have anything to do with each other anymore.

"Goodbye, Rachel. I never want to see you again."

I sent the final message, then immediately blocked and deleted her number.

As the plane took off, I looked out the window at the glittering lights of Westerbay growing smaller and smaller behind me.

Somewhere across town, Rachel stood frozen in shock.