I let out a mocking laugh.

So that was the urgent matter Rowena absolutely had to handle?

I grabbed a chair and smashed it against the wall, shattering our wedding photo. Then, I called in the cleaners and had them throw out everything in the room that had anything to do with Rowena.

The next morning, I got up, washed up, and went to work.

I could allow myself to be heartbroken, but I would never allow myself to fall apart.

Maybe I had really been cursed with bad luck lately. On the way to work, a car made an illegal cut into my lane and hit me, injuring my leg.

I was taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

By sheer coincidence, I ran into Rowena just as she was coming downstairs with Adrian on her arm.

The moment our eyes met, Rowena withdrew her hand from him and hurried over anxiously. "Justin, what happened to you?"

I kept my expression flat. "It's nothing serious. I hurt my leg in a minor accident."

She immediately revolved around me, rushing off to stand in line for my scans and medication.

I caught the flash of jealousy in Adrian's eyes. He looked at me and said provocatively, "Justin, your wedding never happened, so I win.

"But I did underestimate you. You're a lot more tolerant than I thought. Still, if you think that means you can stay by Rowena's side, then you're sorely mistaken."

I had met Rowena at university.

On a rainy day at the library, we shared the same umbrella, and that was how it all began.

Her gentleness and the way she favored me gradually made me fall head over heels in love with her.

We had been together for five years. On campus, we were the textbook definition of a perfect couple.

Just when I thought we would keep loving each other and eventually marry, Adrian, the childhood friend she had grown up with, came back from abroad.

He showed up carrying a newborn child and forced his way into our relationship.

"Believe it or not, as long as I'm here, Rowena will never marry you," Adrian had said.

At first, I had scoffed at him. After all, Rowena and I had five years of history between us.

Adrian, on the other hand, was a bachelor with a motherless child. I didn't believe Rowena would ever give me up for him.

It wasn't until our wedding day that reality slapped me awake.

But even if I had lost, I still didn't want him to get the satisfaction of gloating.

I looked at him coldly and said, "Regardless, I'm still Rowena's fiance. In what capacity are you even speaking to me right now? Is being a homewrecker some kind of prestigious career path these days?"

Adrian lifted his chin and said, "No, the one she's not in love with is the real homewrecker."

Just then, the ground suddenly started to shake.

"Earthquake!" someone shouted.

Rowena, who had been standing in line to get my medication, immediately ran toward us, grabbed Adrian by the arm, and bolted for the exit.

"Rowena, the baby!" Adrian reminded her in a panic.

She immediately spun around, ran back upstairs to get Theo, then took both Adrian and Theo with her as she fled.

My eyes stayed fixed on her the entire time, but she never once turned back to look at me.

At that moment, I had no choice but to admit that the history Rowena and I shared meant absolutely nothing compared to Adrian.

I hadn't lost to Adrian. I had only lost to her.

It wasn't until the shaking stopped that Rowena seemed to remember I existed at all. She pushed through the crowd and stopped in front of me.

Stammering, she said, "J-Justin, I was too worried about the baby earlier, so… I forgot about you."

I curved my lips into a bitter smile. "It's fine. The baby's more important."

The instant she heard my forgiveness, relief washed over her. "Justin, I'm so glad you understand. Let's get you home."

But Adrian stood behind her, holding the wailing baby, looking helpless as he said, "Rowena, I think Theo got spooked…"

Panic immediately flooded her eyes, and she turned around at once. "I'll take the baby and Adrian upstairs first. Wait for me here."

I silently nodded.

But the second they went upstairs, I turned and left.

I wasn't waiting for her anymore.

After taking two days to rest at home and let my leg heal, I went back to work as usual.

What I didn't expect was that when I got home from work, I would find Adrian standing in my house, holding the baby.

The moment he saw me, a smug smile spread across his face. "Mr. Ford, you're back. Rowena was worried I wouldn't be able to take care of Theo properly after being discharged from the hospital, so she brought us here."

My eyes locked onto the pajamas he was wearing, and I clenched my jaw. "Take that off. Who said you could touch my clothes?"

Adrian set Theo down to the side and walked toward me, the smile on his face growing even wider. "Rowena did. And it won't stop at your clothes. I'm going to take everything you have!"

The second he finished speaking, he swung a fist at my face.

I immediately raised my hand and retaliated, but he flew backward from the force of my punch.

"Mr. Ford, I didn't mean to wear your clothes," he said, raising his voice. "Please don't be mad. I'll give them back right now..."

As he spoke, he yanked the shirt off himself, revealing his bare chest to me.

Theo was startled and began wailing as well.

After a moment of shock, I quickly realized that he had set me up.

But before I could say a single word, Rowena pushed open the door and rushed in. The moment she saw this, she shoved me aside.

"Justin, when did you become this cruel? How could you lay your hands on a baby?"

Rowena carefully picked Theo up. Then, she picked up the shirt and draped it over Adrian's shoulders.

Adrian leaned against her shoulder, looking utterly aggrieved. "Rowena, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have worn Mr. Ford's clothes. Please don't blame him for this."

His words only stoked her anger as she glared at me and snapped, "I'm the one who permitted Adrian to wear your clothes. If you have a problem, take it up with me!"

The way she defended him without even getting the full picture was utterly disappointing.

I tamped down the bitterness rising in my chest and snarled, "This is my house! What gives you the right to bring him here? What gives you the right to let him wear my clothes?"

Rowena helped Adrian to his feet, then looked at me and said, "Adrian can't take care of the baby by himself, so I brought them back here so I could look after all of you together. I've already been more than considerate of you.

"His clothes got dirty while he was taking care of Theo, so I just grabbed one of yours for him. I had no idea you were such a petty, small-minded man. If you can't stand them, then I'm taking them and leaving!

"Stay here and think about what you've done. When you've thought it through, apologize to Adrian. Otherwise, don't expect me to marry you!"

With that, she left with Adrian and Theo.

Her angry accusations kept echoing in my ears. The second the door shut, all the strength drained out of me, and I collapsed onto the floor.

I wasn't planning to marry her anymore anyway.

A month later, I changed into a custom suit, got into the car with Clara, and headed for the reception hall.

On the way there, I received a message from Rowena. "It's already been a month. You should've reflected by now. We're celebrating Theo's one-month milestone today. Get a gift, bring it over in person, and I'll consider it your apology."

I smiled, took a selfie with the groom's boutonniere pinned to my chest, and texted her back. "I'm busy getting married today."