Nathan sat in the passenger seat, scrolling through his phone absentmindedly.

“I heard there’s a professional racing circuit out near the outskirts of the city. A lot of pro drivers train there — the facilities are amazing…”

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

I kept my Bluetooth earpiece in and didn’t respond.

He raised his voice, irritated.

“Training there would help a lot. Ruby wants to move near there to train long term. What do you think — should we move closer?”

I didn’t even look at him.

“Mm.”

Nathan’s temper flared.

“Stella, I’m trying to talk to you about our future!”

I turned my head slowly, meeting his sleep-deprived, booze-worn face.

“Done talking?”

Nathan deflated like a punctured balloon, rolling his eyes.

“Forget it. Talking to you is like talking to a wall.”

The cold wind seeped through the crack in the car window, making the pain in my right hand even sharper.

“Nathan, about the condo… are you hiding something from me?”

I wanted to give him one last chance to be honest.

His gaze flickered, but he quickly masked it with false calm.

“No, the condo’s fine.”

My heart sank into an icy abyss.

Even now, he couldn’t give me a single honest word.

After picking up the rings, Nathan wanted to stop by the downtown shopping district.

A bright red Ferrari screeched to a showy stop by the curb.

Ruby leaned against the door, waving excitedly.

“Nathan! Come check out your new ride!”

Nathan’s face turned pale.

Seeing me, Ruby put on a fake-friendly smile, patted my shoulder.

“Oh, Stella, I didn’t see you there just now. Isn’t it cool? The color matches Nathan’s wedding bow tie! He said this is my war chariot — when I drive it, it’s like carrying him with me!”

My knuckles cracked from how hard I clenched my fists.

Was that supposed to be a love confession?

And me? I stood there like a fool, guarding a hollow shell of a “home” he had long since gutted.

Ruby jumped in, started the engine.

“Stella, listen to this roar! Doesn’t it match my driving skills perfectly?”

I raised my eyes, giving her a cold look.

“Yes. Both are equally unbearable.”

They both froze, clearly shocked that I — usually so mild — would say something like that.

“What… what did you just say?”

Nathan yanked me aside, lowering his voice, his eyes full of warning.

“Stella! What’s wrong with you? Ruby’s about to compete in the National Championship — can’t you hold it together? Stop dragging out your self-pity and attitude!”

I let out a short laugh. Self-pity?

Well, in his eyes, I was nothing more than a washed-up doctor with a ruined hand — self-pitying and oversensitive.

“A girl who shamelessly lives off a man — and you treat her like treasure. Just seeing her makes me sick.”

They were stunned, unable to believe I’d said something so cruel.

“Stella! Who are you calling shameless?!”

“Nathan, if it weren’t for you, I’d—”

Ruby’s eyes were red with rage. Nathan quickly pulled her close, shielding her.

“Stella, we’re about to get our marriage license — can’t you think about me for once?”

“From the day we got engaged, have you ever seen me truly happy? And now you want to humiliate me in front of strangers?”

Ruby clutched his hand, her face full of fake tears.

“Forget it, Nathan, don’t fight because of me…”

Nathan finally exploded.

“I’ve had enough! I’ve put up with you for so long!”

“Stella, stop pushing me! You owe me for life! So what if you suffer a little?!”

The plaza went dead silent, curious stares pricking me like needles.

So in his eyes, my sacrifice was nothing but a weapon he could use to hurt me whenever he pleased.

And I had once thought he’d feel even a shred of gratitude.

How many times had Ruby called him saying she was in a bad mood, and Nathan immediately ditched my rehab appointments to take her out?

On my father Charles Hayes’s birthday, I asked him to come home early for dinner.

Instead, he told me coldly, “You celebrate with him. I’m busy,” because he had to watch a replay of a race with Ruby.

He came home drunk past midnight.

Every time I expressed dissatisfaction, Nathan would frown and scold me in return.

I used to think that he only spoke this way because we were closest — so I kept backing down.

Seeing Ruby cry in the car, Nathan climbed in and held her hand, whispering comfort.

I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Nathan’s voice floated over.

“Don’t be upset. Seeing you hurt breaks my heart. Stella’s been mentally off since her injury — it’s not your fault…”

I stared at that blazing red Ferrari, burning my chest like a fire.

Nathan’s glare cut into me, full of command.

“Stella, have you made enough of a scene?”

“I just made a female friend, and you’re acting hysterical. Don’t you have male friends at the hospital? Did I ever complain?”

“You’re making me lose face — do you get that?”

“Apologize to Ruby, and maybe I’ll forgive you!”

Apologize?

I almost laughed.

“Me? Apologize to her? I don’t think she could handle it.”

I ignored the two of them and walked away.

The next day, my father sent me the information of a potential suitor.

I added him and quickly arranged a meeting.

The match went smoothly — a perfect society marriage, without hidden agendas.

Under a lawyer’s supervision, we signed a prenuptial agreement.

Mr. Brown, the butler, looked at me worriedly.

“Miss Hayes, should we cancel the wedding plans?”

“No need. Everything will proceed as scheduled. Upgrade the banquet to the highest tier.”

“Understood, I’ll arrange it right away.”

For the next few days, Nathan was probably too busy cuddling with his little darling to bother me.

I didn’t seek him out either.

I had once thought he was the love of my life.

Turns out, letting go wasn’t as heartbreaking as I’d imagined.

Everything felt strangely natural.

The day before the wedding, the roar of a sports car engine echoed from outside.

Nathan came running upstairs, out of breath.

“Stella, Ruby has an urgent meeting with a major sponsor. I have to go with her out of town. I’ll make it back before the wedding tomorrow — I’ll meet you at the hotel.”