After five years together, my fiancée Selene—a surgeon—canceled our wedding forty-nine times.

The first time, she was in the middle of makeup when Kaelen, her male intern, messed up a patient’s chart. She rushed back to the hospital and left me waiting at the altar all day.

The second time, just as we were about to exchange rings, she heard Kaelen was being bullied by another doctor. She went back to rescue him. I stayed behind, facing a roomful of smirking guests.

After that, every time I tried to reschedule, that intern had some new emergency. Always needed her. Always right when the wedding was supposed to happen.

I finally decided to end it.

The day I left New York, she searched for me like a madwoman. But I was already gone.

Today was supposed to be our fiftieth wedding ceremony.

This time, I didn’t invite a crowd. Just our families.

I was running a fever, but I went over every detail with the planner anyway. Selene didn’t help. Didn’t even ask a question.

She hadn’t finished her bridal makeup. She was too busy fussing over Kaelen, who’d supposedly sprained his ankle on the way here.

My parents watched, shaking their heads. It’s not worth it, their eyes said.

“Forty-nine times,” my mom whispered. “She doesn’t care about you, son.”

Everyone knew how badly I wanted this wedding to actually happen.

But when it was time to walk down the aisle, Selene refused. Again. Canceled. Again.

I followed her outside. She stopped me at the door.

“Kaelen might have a fracture. It’s serious. I have to take him to the ER.”

“Cancel this one, too. We’ll do it next time. I promise I won’t run off next time.”

She pulled her arm from my grip, helped Kaelen into her car, and drove away.

Five years. Fifty canceled weddings. All because of Kaelen.

I used to get angry. Used to shout, Why does it always have to be during our wedding?

But this time, I stayed calm. I even smiled.

“A fracture should be treated quickly. You should go.”

Selene looked surprised. Maybe she expected a fight.

“Good,” she said, relieved. “I’m glad you understand. I’ll get you tickets to the World Cup final to make it up to you.”

I watched her roll up the window and drive off. The moment her car turned the corner, I let the smile drop.

She’d forgotten. I never cared about soccer.

Kaelen was the soccer fan.

I’d reminded her more than once. She always said she’d remember.

Now I knew. The only thing she’d never forget was Kaelen.

I laughed, bitter and quiet. Then I went back inside, called off the wedding, and threw our engagement rings in the trash in front of everyone.

It was time. This five-year waste of feeling was over.

After everyone left, my parents stayed. The empty hall felt huge and quiet.

My mom put her hand over mine. "Come home to Houston with us."

They'd asked before. Many times.

I sank into the chair, tired down to my bones. I looked at them. Their eyes were full of hope, and it hurt to see.

My family runs the biggest private hospital in Houston. I became a doctor because of them. Their plan was simple: I'd finish school, train at our hospital, and take over one day.

Then I met Selene during my Ph.D. She was sharp, driven, and from a small town. She hated "trust fund doctors." So for five years, I never told her the truth. I let her think we were the same—two people who made it on our own.

And we did. I built a reputation. We won awards together. People called us the perfect pair. Telling her my secret seemed pointless. Why ruin a good thing?

Now, it didn't matter anymore.

"Alright," I said, the word flat. "I'll come home."

Relief washed over their faces. My mom's eyes got shiny. "I'll book the tickets for tomorrow," she said, squeezing my hand.

Later, I went back to the apartment. It was empty and cold. I took a shower. Then I checked my phone.

A notification lit up. Kaelen had posted a new photo.

It was him and Selene, arms around each other, smiling in front of a sunset. Selene's smile was bright and easy. A smile I never got.

The caption read: "Fiftieth escape plan. Convinced my special someone to ditch the plans. I win again. Tonight still counts, right?"

A cold laugh left my throat. I put the phone down.

I knew she wouldn't come home. History repeats itself.

At least we'd never filed the marriage paperwork. Nothing legal to break. Just five years to leave behind.

The next morning, I packed one bag. I went straight to the hospital to quit.

The Deputy Director, Robert, looked confused. "Lucas, this is sudden. Is it money? We can talk."

I was giving my reasons when the door opened.

Selene walked in with a file. She stopped when she saw me.

My eyes went to the dark mark on her neck. A hickey. I could smell expensive cologne on her—not mine. I could imagine the night clearly.

She used to hate when I left marks. Said it was unprofessional. So I was always careful. Turns out, she just didn't want my marks.

Robert glanced between us. "Selene, maybe you can talk to your fiancé. He's resigning. Did you two fight?"

"She has nothing to do with it," I said, my voice empty.

"You're quitting?" Selene asked, her face twisting in annoyance. "Is this about yesterday? Are you seriously throwing a fit?"

Robert excused himself and left.

Once we were alone, she stepped closer, her voice sharp. "I toldyou, Kaelen was hurt. He could have had a fracture. A patient comes first. You know that."

"I'm just tired," I lied. "I need a break."

"Then use your vacation days," she snapped. "If you quit like this, what will people think? They'll say you have a problem with Kaelen. How's he supposed to work here then?"

She'd forgotten. I'd used all my vacation days. On the weddings she canceled.

Her only worry was Kaelen's comfort.

Something cold and final settled in my chest.

I looked at the mark on her neck again. I didn't speak.

She noticed and covered it quickly. "It's a rash. An allergy. Don't start."

I just nodded. The old me would have wanted to believe her.

She thought it was peace. She stepped closer and hugged me from behind. "That's better. Be understanding. Just drop this resignation thing, okay? I'll make it up to you. I promise."

I breathed in. Her scent was mixed with his. "There is no later, Selene."

The door opened without a knock. Kaelen leaned in, a chart in his hand. "Am I interrupting? Sorry. I need help with a file, Dr. Selene. I'm lost."

Selene let go of me at once. "It's fine." She went to him, took the file, and started explaining, their heads close together.

Kaelen stood too close. His hand went to her waist.

She didn't move away.

They left together. Right before the door shut, Kaelen looked back at me. And smirked.

Then I was alone.

Tick.

A soft sound came from my wrist. I looked down.

The face of my watch had a crack across it. The hands had stopped.

It was the watch Selene gave me for our first anniversary. A cheap thing she saved for. She said it meant her time was mine from that day on.

Liar.

I took it off and dropped it into the trash. It landed with a clink.

I stood up, straightened my jacket, and went to find Robert. It was time to quit.

Everything was over.

I submitted my resignation and began handing off my cases.

The doctor taking over was Miles, a friend. He wasn’t happy. “You’re really leaving? You’re just going to let Selene stay with that guy?”

We both looked over. Selene was scolding Kaelen about something, but he just laughed and slid a small, shiny ring onto her finger.

Right where her wedding ring should have been.

She smiled, then caught me looking and hid her hand.

Kaelen raised his voice. “It’s just a thank-you gift, Dr. Dean. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Everyone’s eyes darted between us.

Five years, and Selene had never bought me anything expensive. Everyone thought I was a small-town guy like her. They all felt sorry for me.

Even Miles was fuming. “That’s your fiancée. They’re making a fool of you.”

I held him back and studied Kaelen. “You put a lot of thought into that gift?”

Kaelen shifted. “It’s just a ring. Don’t be so sensitive.”

I almost laughed. I could tell it was fake from here. The cheap kind.

The real one was in my Houston's house.

Selene glared at me. “Dean, that was rude.”

I shrugged. “My mistake. It’s a lovely gift, Kaelen.”

She looked surprised I’d apologized so easily, but she didn’t dwell on it. She pulled Kaelen down beside her.

Miles whispered, “You’re just letting this go?”

“I already ended it,” I said, sorting my papers. “On my end, at least.”

Fifty weddings. Not one made it to “I do.” The circus was over.

After my shift, Selene came to “help” me pack.

“I booked us a table at that new place,” she said. Then she noticed my bare wrist. “Where’s your watch?”

“Left it at home.”

She actually smiled. “You used to wear it every day.”

Before I could answer, Kaelen slid between us. “Ready to go, Dr. Selene?”

She smiled, her eyes softening as she handed him the keys. “Be a hero and drive for me? My head is pounding.”

I watched him go straight to the driver’s side as if it were his car. For five years, I was her chauffeur. She never thanked me once.

When he shot me a smug look, I just smiled.

At the restaurant, they sat side-by-side and ordered without asking me.

I didn’t care. I rested my chin on my hand and watched the city.

After tomorrow, I wouldn’t be seeing this view.

When the food came, Selene peeled a bowl of shrimp for me. “Try these. They’re good here.”

I looked up. She was smiling softly. I hadn’t expected her to think of me at all.

Kaelen bragged, “I’m the one who found this place. Last time we came, she ate three plates!”

Selene flushed. “Don’t say that in front of my boyfriend…”

Kaelen gave her a fond look and ruffled her hair, then turned to me. “You don’t mind, do you?”

They laughed together like I wasn’t there.

I looked at the shrimp. My appetite vanished.

I ate one, then pushed the bowl away. “Not for me. Too fishy.”

Just like the two of you, I thought. The stench is unbearable.

After dinner, Selene took a drunk Kaelen home. I was the one who closed the door.

Once they were gone, I called a cab and went straight to the airport.

My phone buzzed with texts from Selene, planning our nextwedding. She promised she’d handle everything. “This time, no one will interrupt.”

I texted back: Okay.

I knew better. It would be canceled, like all the others.

Another message came as I boarded: Kaelen’s sick. I’m staying with him tonight. Take care.

I smiled coldly. Of course.

It’s fine. Stay. I’ve moved out. We’re done. Goodbye, Selene.

I hit send, then blocked her number and deleted the contact.

The plane took off. The lights of New York shrank below.