It was two in the morning by the time I got home. As I opened the door, I was greeted with a familiar yet unwelcome sight. Elio, half crouched, was gently massaging Maisy's knee, his eyes filled with an unmistakable tenderness. When he noticed my presence, he merely glanced briefly in my direction.

“Maisy's feeling down, so I brought her over,” he explained casually, showing no signs of guilt.

I clenched my fists, suppressing the storm brewing inside me, and headed straight towards the bedroom. However, his voice rang out again, sharp and detached.

“The guest room is all set up for you. Maisy's not comfortable being alone.”

I tried to swallow the bitterness, but tears of frustration and heartbreak streamed uncontrollably. Maisy, nestled in Elio’s arms, put on an overly self-effacing display.

“Elio, it's really not necessary. I'm fine with the guest room. I don't want to inconvenience Roselyn.”

Elio softly brushed her forehead, his words laced with reassurance. “Don't worry, I'm the one who calls the shots here. You're safe with me.”

Piecing together the fragments of my shattered composure, I turned to face him. His gaze stayed on Maisy until I stepped into view, at which point I was met with disdain.

“Why are you standing there? Do you need me to say it again?”

I bit my lip until I tasted blood, words of despair finally spilling out. “Elio, I want a divorce.”

At my declaration, he paused momentarily. He withdrew his hand from Maisy's shoulder, rising to his full height, a sardonic smile emerging as if I'd told a ridiculous joke.

“Roselyn, did I hear you right? A divorce?”

“You're an orphan with no one, where could you possibly go without me?” he scoffed. “I'm telling you, jealousy has its limits. Maisy and I are just friends; it's not what you think.”

He gathered Maisy in his arms, intent on taking her to the bedroom. I grabbed his shirt, forcing him to look at me directly.

“Elio, I'm serious. I'm exhausted.”

At my firm response, anger flared in his eyes. Maisy, wrapped in his embrace, chimed in with feigned remorse.

“Roselyn, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. Elio wouldn't have left you at the altar for me if it weren't for me. It's all on me; direct your anger at me, not him.”

She spoke between choked sobs, perfectly staged to draw maximum sympathy. A sudden cough from her only deepened Elio's concern.

Quickly, Elio laid Maisy gently onto the couch, hurried to the kitchen, and returned with a steaming cup of coffee.

After calming Maisy down, Elio gave me a furious glare.

"Roselyn, enough. With Maisy here today, I don't want to lose my temper with you."

"Haven't you seen how upset she is? Can't you show a little compassion?"

"You're being overdramatic. It's just one wedding. If it didn't happen this time, there's always another chance."

His dismissive tone felt like a punch to the gut. I had organized this wedding from beginning to end, while for him, it was just about playing the groom's role. Yet, he couldn't even bother with that, choosing instead to leave me high and dry.

I grabbed my phone and let him hear the hurtful comments from everyone around us, each one felt like a knife thrust into my heart.

"Jilted by the groom on her wedding day? She's made a real fool of herself."

"The groom clearly never loved the bride. Off to see someone else at the ceremony."

"She seemed so happy planning the wedding; it looked like true love, but now it's the laughingstock of dinner conversations."

The living room was filled with the echoes of their ridicule.

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Elio, do you still think I'm the one being childish and making a scene?"

In the past, I would endure his outbursts. But this time, he crossed a line. This incident made me see him for the man he truly was. He didn't love me—that much was now clear. I'd trapped myself in a fantasy I couldn't escape.

I thought he would understand my pain. But instead, I got his icy sarcasm.

"Enough, Roselyn. It's just idle gossip. Why let it get to you?"

"Do you always care about what other people think? Isn't living like that draining?"

I instinctively stepped back, a cold laugh escaping my lips.

Yes, it's exhausting. I've had enough of this.

I turned and walked into the bedroom. It was empty of my belongings. I realized he had asked the housekeeper to move my things to the guest room.

I went to the guest room next door and packed my belongings piece by piece into my suitcase.

As I reached the doorway with my suitcase, frustration flashed in his eyes. He grabbed my suitcase angrily.

"Enough. I've got limits. Are you trying to test me again and again?"

"Roselyn, do you really think you'll have anywhere to go once you leave? Alone with no family."

His words pierced my heart, leaving me breathless. Three years ago, losing my parents shattered me. Back then, he stayed by my side, holding my hand, promising to always be there for me. He vowed not to make me sad, not to disappoint me. But in the end, those were just empty words, and he repeatedly used my being an orphan to hurt me.

Gathering all my strength, I pried his hand off.

"Elio, whether I sink or swim from now on is none of your business."