From college campuses to wedding vows, Kashton Gonzales and I had agreed to remain child-free after marriage. But on the eve of our wedding, I found him at a clinic reversing his vasectomy.

His friend nudged him. "Kashton, are you seriously planning to have a child with Keily? Nina Gray is your fiancée; it's just not right."

Kashton sighed, defeated. "It's not entirely my fault. I wanted a child, but she insists on just the two of us forever."

"It's just a kid, right? If she doesn't want one, I'll find someone else to have a child with. My heart's with her, but I'll do what I want with my body."

With that, he wrapped his arm around Keily and went into a dimly lit room. Meanwhile, I stood outside, crying in the pouring rain.

Just then, my parents called. "Weston Gray has come with his family's heirloom, asking for your hand in marriage!"

I wiped my tears and said, "I'm willing to marry."

---

As I arrived at the store to work, I noticed Kashton's car parked outside our baby boutique. My sister and I had started this store together, and I personally designed each piece of clothing, selecting the softest fabrics through countless market trips. Now, these clothes, crafted by me, were being showcased by someone else.

Keily's slender fingers held a baby outfit, and Kashton was utterly entranced, cradling her hand in his and giving a gentle kiss. "Keily, you're stunning from head to toe. Even your fingers are elegant. Our child will surely be as gorgeous as you."

Despite my employees being present, the two of them flirted openly. At the door, my eyes filled with tears, struggling to breathe.

"Nina, the little outfit you designed for Ocean is ready. Would you like to take a look?" a staff member called out loudly, as if to alert the two inside.

I focused on where they stood, nodding numbly.

Kashton appeared at the door, masking his anxiety with feigned surprise. "Nina, why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I was planning to surprise you by bringing it home."

His flawless performance chilled me. In a blink, Keily, who was just there, had disappeared. I asked to see the outfit I’d designed.

They brought it out for me. A moment ago, this little outfit was ready to be delivered to Keily.

I ran a hand over the buttons on the outfit, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. It looked like my design, but the material was entirely different, and even the buttons weren't fastened the way I intended.

Since my sister and niece's tragic passing, I've designed an outfit for my niece on every significant occasion. With my wedding just a month away, I'd naturally made a little dress for Ocean.

Did Kashton truly think I was blind after all these years? Or did he believe I was as dispensable as this outfit, not worth any real attention?

Seeing me distracted, Kashton immediately pulled me into his arms. "Nina, my dear Nina, are you touched? It's my duty to do anything for you as your future husband. We should meet the family soon. Is Professor Wilson back from his trip next weekend? I'd like to pay him a visit."

I couldn’t help but chuckle. With the wedding a month away, he still hadn’t formally proposed, simply because his mother didn’t approve of me. When the wedding date was set, he hadn't mentioned visiting my family. But now, feeling guilty, he suddenly remembered.

"Alright! Why not today?" I said.

Kashton's face changed dramatically, clearly not expecting such a quick turnaround. "That's a bit rushed. Let's settle for next weekend."

I chuckled dryly to myself; Keily was well along in her pregnancy, ready to cater to all his desires, and he couldn’t wait to be with her. After wrapping up my work, I intended to head home for some rest.

Kashton offered to drive me home, and I didn't turn him down. But before we even made it to the door, his phone rang. The screen tilted just enough for me to catch a glimpse of an attractive woman's glamorous photo. He quickly turned off the screen, trying to look innocent as he mumbled some flimsy excuse before rushing off.

So eager, he couldn’t spare ten minutes to drop me off. I accepted his excuse with a composed expression, but my eyes automatically followed him as he walked away. Once, I loved him with all my heart, but now watching his retreating back shattered my soul into pieces.

In my heart, I had already resolved to let him go, yet my feet instinctively moved in the direction he left. Soon, Kashton's car pulled up in front of the cottage next to mine. The small cottage's balcony was adorned with red roses, its railings wrapped in crimson velvet, every corner exuding the charm of newlywed bliss.

The dress I had bought for my own wedding night was now worn by her. They nestled together on the sofa, and Kashton gave her a tender kiss.

"Kashton, being your wife, even for just a few days, is the happiest thing in my life. But what if Nina finds out?" Keily's slender fingers traced his lips, teasing in her eyes.

"Keily, these past few days have made me so happy too. Now that we have a baby on the way, I'm even happier. In the future, we'll have five kids—three sons to protect you, and two daughters to go shopping with you."

Every word Kashton spoke cut through me. Their declarations of love were like daggers, carving into my soul, the pain radiating throughout my body.

I had once discussed not having kids with him, and he had held me close, speaking tenderly. "Nina, no kids if you don’t want them. I don’t really like kids either and wouldn’t want you to suffer through pregnancy."

Now, I swallowed the bitterness. If not for the tragic loss of my sister and niece, I wouldn't be heartbroken, choosing to be child-free. Kashton could have been honest with me. We were supposed to be partners, and I would have accepted him as he was, striving to be a good wife. But he chose to have children with someone else.

I returned home in a daze, curling up on the couch, surrounded by darkness.

The next morning, Kashton called. He apologized, claiming he'd stayed overnight at the office and couldn't be with me.

"Nina, I've packed all my work into the next month for our wedding, so things are hectic. I bought some groceries and will make breakfast for you soon."

I didn’t want to see him, but some things just needed to be addressed.

Kashton loved cooking for me, and every meal he plated was heart-shaped. He’d often say that meals could never be neglected, just as his affection for me couldn’t wane for a single moment.

In just ten minutes, he was home. The grocery bag was filled with carrots and vegetables they had bought together just yesterday. He didn't even spare the time to shop for groceries separately.

He already spent the whole day with her, and even the twenty minutes for grocery shopping came from my time.

At the table, Kashton sat beside me as usual, placing my favorite food on my plate with care. I intended to pick some herbs from the balcony—Kashton knew I liked a sprinkle of them on everything.

But the pots were empty, and the housekeeper looked uneasy. She mumbled something about how the herbs were used in a dish Kashton had made—and sent next door.

Without the herbs, the pasta tasted bland, just like my mood. I felt suffocated and hurried to the bathroom.

Looking at my tired reflection in the mirror, I told myself it was time to let go of the past.

Even though the love was gone, I still wanted to reclaim the watch my dad left me.

Back in the room, I retrieved the watch from his drawer. It was meant for a future son-in-law, but he no longer deserved it.

As I finished packing, soft murmurs came from the next room.

"Keily, you're really brave, doing this right under her nose."

"I'm glad I picked you to have a child with. The thrill is addictive..."

The indecent sounds inside left me feeling weak, yet I shakily turned on my phone’s video recorder, hardly knowing how I managed to get back to my spot.

Kashton pushed the door open, looking indifferent, though his white shirt was stained with lipstick. I gave him a cold stare.

“Let's break up,” I declared.

My words took him by surprise. He hurriedly reached out to hold my hand, "Nina, I was just really tired earlier. I took a nap in the next room; I'm sorry I wasn't with you. Didn’t we agree not to give up on each other so easily?"

I replied calmly, “You don’t love me anymore, do you?”

Kashton pressed my hand to his cheek, "We've been together since college, almost ten years. How can you just let me go?"

He evaded the topic, refusing to say he loved me. Even as he pleaded for forgiveness, he was still texting her back instantly.

Clutching his phone nervously, he seemed ready to bolt out of there, “Nina, something urgent just came up. Wait for me, I’ll be back soon...”

As I watched him reveal his true intentions, I realized my heart had already moved on. I couldn't hold on any longer and decided to let go.

Time passed, and even by nightfall, he still hadn’t returned.

While watering the plants downstairs, I caught sight of a familiar figure through the neighbor's window.

In the cozy room, I could vaguely see Kashton cuddling Keily, kneading dough together, their faces glowing with happiness. Kashton seemed eager to become one with her.

"You're so clingy, can't stay away even for a moment. I'm not going anywhere," he said.

His so-called urgent matter was making homemade pasta with Keily.

He probably forgot I also loved homemade ravioli, a taste I couldn't forget since my grandmother passed away, leaving me with a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

Looking at the dried pasta on the table, I suddenly felt a sense of freedom.

I took out my phone and recorded everything about them.

At that moment, my mother's call came through.

“Nina, when are you coming home? Weston has been waiting for you for days. We can’t keep him waiting like this!”

I booked the earliest flight on my phone.

“I’ll be on the first flight tomorrow.”

No sooner had I sat down than the doorbell rang.

Opening the door, I found Keily holding wedding favors, smiling brightly at me.

“Sis, I’m getting married soon. Come see our new home.”

My heart clenched. Leaning against the wall for support, I could barely stand. Just as I was about to turn and leave, she had already pulled me to their house.

As I stepped inside, the first thing I noticed was a giant wedding photo of her and Kashton.

The frame was one I had crafted with floral designs.

Walking further in, everything on display belonged to Kashton.

In that single moment, I felt as if I couldn't breathe.