The moment I stepped inside the bedroom, I was hit in the face by the overwhelming scent of William's cologne.

In just a single afternoon, the master bedroom in this house, which was meant to be my marital home with Marissa, had changed completely.

A third toothbrush had been added to the bathroom sink that Marissa and I shared. More of William's belongings were now strewn across the dressing table.

William came in behind me and said with a pleasant smile, "My apartment lease ended, Kyle. Rissa said that since you guys have a spare room here, I could move in with you guys first.

"The housekeeper hasn't tidied up the guest bedroom yet, so I left my things here first. I didn't touch any of your belongings, of course. I'll just sleep with you guys for the time being. You won't mind, right?"

I turned around and looked at Marissa, who said with a perfectly nonchalant expression, "Rita will be coming over tomorrow afternoon to prepare the guest bedroom. It'll only be for one night."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Shooting me a sharp glare, Marissa demanded, "Why are you laughing?"

I lowered my gaze and shook my head. I started gathering my things, but Marissa grabbed my hand to stop me. "What are you doing?"

Breaking free of her, I said, "The bed is too small for three people. I'll tidy up the guest bedroom and spend the night there."

Smiling, Marissa said approvingly, "Now that's better. In the future, stop throwing those petty tantrums with me, Kyle, and don't get jealous of William either."

William was grinning widely. He pulled Marissa into his arms and said, "It's fine. I don't mind. It just means Kyle loves you very much."

I calmly nodded, saying agreeably, "It won't happen again."

After all, there was no longer going to be a future involving Marissa and me.

…

The next morning, I went to the jewelry boutique to cancel the wedding ring I'd booked. When I arrived, I was just about to head inside when I heard William's voice ringing out.

"This ring suits me perfectly, Rissa. I saw Kyle wearing it before. I want the same one!"

Marissa said affectionately, "That's supposed to be our wedding ring. Kyle is a petty man. He'll kick up a fuss with me again if he finds out you have the same ring."

"I just won't wear it then," William said with a dissatisfied pout. "Come on. Please?"

It seemed as though Marissa couldn't say no to him. She helplessly agreed to get him the ring.

I stayed outside and calmly listened to their entire exchange. Once they'd left the jewelry boutique, I went in.

The sales assistant recognized me. She was the one who saw Marissa and me picking out our wedding rings.

She hovered around, eyeing me hesitantly, as if she had something to say. I smiled at her and told her I already knew about everything.

I was able to cancel the booking I made for Marissa's wedding ring and process the refund without any issues.

Now that the 20 thousand dollars had been refunded to me, I felt relieved.

Mom had left that money to me, saying that when I got married, I was to use this money to buy my wife a wedding ring. That way, it would feel as though Mom had been there with me at my wedding as well.

Before this, I believed that Marissa was the only woman for me. I didn't hesitate to use that money to buy her a diamond ring.

Now that things had changed, she was no longer worthy of a wedding ring bought with Mom's money.