During the three years I dated Nikolai Lawrence, my friends gradually found their way to the altar. Spurred by their persistence, I was preparing to propose to Nikolai.

As I was arranging the proposal venue, I stumbled upon him flirting with another woman:

"Isla, I bought the cottage next to mine for you to enjoy. How do you feel about that?"

Isla Gibson playfully teased, "If Freya finds out, she'd rip me to shreds."

Nikolai scoffed, "Three years and still no baby in sight. Who knows if she even can have children? You, on the other hand, Isla, got pregnant after just a few attempts."

I quietly walked away, and that night, I accepted my brother's suggestion for an arranged marriage.

---

"Miss Carlson, do you think the hall needs any more decorations?" asked Malaya Mason, the wedding planner, looking at me sheepishly with ribbons and flowers in hand.

I turned back to her with a faint smile, "No need, you've made the trip for nothing."

Malaya quickly glanced at the couple passionately embracing in the hall and softly asked me again.

I shook my head, confirming that no further decoration was necessary.

Only then did she cautiously mention, "Miss Carlson, about the cancellation fee of twenty thousand..."

Rainy Days Events is the top wedding planning service in the city. The venues they design have frequently won national awards. The only downside is the exorbitant price.

When I initially signed the contract with Rainy Days, the penalty and cancellation fees were highlighted in bold red in the agreement. Yet, to give Nikolai a lavish and unforgettable proposal, I signed the contract without a second thought.

Looking back now, my actions seemed absurdly sentimental.

"Did you bring a card machine? I'll pay now."

After settling the cancellation fee, I followed the Rainy Days Events team down to the street.

In the elevator, the young planner seemed like she wanted to offer me some comforting words.

I gave her a gentle smile and said calmly, "I'm fine. It's like searching for a unicorn when regular horses are everywhere."

But despite my brave words, as the team drove away, leaving just me on the street, my eyes still welled up with tears.

As I walked home alone, I took out my phone and called my brother, Adonis Carlson.

"Adonis, I've agreed to the arranged marriage. Please help me organize the wedding as soon as possible."

He listened quietly and didn't ask questions. But as I heard his steady breathing, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer.

"I was wrong, Adonis. I shouldn't have been so stubborn."

"It's good that you've realized it. Come home; I'll take care of everything for you," he replied.

After letting me express my emotions, Adonis continued, "Freya, while they say suffering can be a blessing, no daughter of the Carlsons needs to endure such blessings."

His seemingly cryptic words carried a weight of meaning that I fully understood.

The Carlsons are a prominent family in the city, and Adonis is known for fiercely protecting his own.

I could have lived a life of luxury and comfort, but I foolishly fell for a man who was nothing more than a charming façade.

His words made it clear: if I wanted, those who wronged me would face consequences.

"There's no need, Adonis. It's just a part of growing up. I've seen through it, and I've understood."

As soon as the call ended, I walked through the front door of my house. Seeing the room filled with belongings, a sense of discomfort washed over me. I pulled out some storage bags and began sorting through all the shared items I had naively bought.

"Freya, what are you doing?" Nikolai's voice interrupted my thoughts, catching me off guard.

I hadn't noticed he'd come back until he wrapped his arms around me from behind, his lips brushing the side of my neck. Snapped out of my daydream, I nudged him with my elbow, trying to free myself from his embrace.

Nikolai, mistaking my reluctance for playful resistance, picked me up and carried me toward the bedroom.

"When did my sweet Freya become such a little firecracker? So fierce, I must admit I like it," he said, desire gleaming in his eyes.

A wave of nausea rolled over me. It seemed Isla’s pregnancy might not be solid yet, so Nikolai had sought me out for entertainment. The thought of his unfaithful ways made my chest feel heavy, like a stone was lodged there.

"Nikolai, put me down. I'm not feeling well today."

Around this time every month, my mood would always plummet. Seeing my somber expression, Nikolai believed me, though I could see a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

As I turned to leave, his phone rang. The unfamiliar ringtone made me hesitate. I glanced back to see Nikolai’s face light up with amusement.

"Isla, what's going on?" he answered.

Even from a few feet away, I could hear Isla’s surprised shout from the other end.

"Isla, what happened? Don’t scare me like that!"

Nikolai’s brow furrowed immediately. He brushed past me, worry lining his face as he rushed toward the front door. It swung open from the outside, and Isla walked in with a wide smile.

"Nikolai, did I just give you a scare?" she teased.

"Isla..." Nikolai hesitated by the door, momentarily shocked. Realizing she was fine, he sighed in relief, pretending to scold her. "You almost gave me a heart attack, you know?"

Isla, eyes twinkling, wrapped an arm around his neck but paused when she noticed me holding my lower back.

"This must be Freya, right?" she asked.

Releasing Nikolai, she lightly patted his shoulder, her eyes direct as they met mine. Nikolai turned to look at me as well, a slight frown crossing his face.

Seeing my steady gaze, Isla eventually let go of Nikolai. There was no awkwardness of being caught by the actual girlfriend—just the confident sway of her hips as she approached me.

"Hi, Freya. I’m..." she started, glancing back at Nikolai before finishing, "I’m your new neighbor, Isla Gibson."

Isla Gibson's smile was subtle, her eyes daring. I averted my gaze and reached for the first aid kit.

"Freya, why are you giving me the cold shoulder? Am I not welcome here?" Her voice oozed with false innocence, her expression anything but.

The saccharine tone in her voice made me frown. Just as I was about to reply, Nikolai Lawrence hurried over. He grabbed my arm, pulling me to face Isla.

"Freya Carlson, Isla's talking to you. Are you ignoring her?"

Earlier, he had pushed me, causing me to hit my lower back against the coffee table. Now, being jerked like this made the pain flare up, and I broke out in a cold sweat. My voice was sharp with anger. "Nikolai Lawrence, let go!"

During the three years we were together, I never raised my voice. I always acquiesced, going along with his wishes. To Nikolai, I was the perfect partner, always agreeable. But this sudden outburst from me seemed to catch him off guard. For a moment, he was stunned, frozen, yet his grip on my arm only tightened, the tension between us palpable.

Just as he was about to lash out again, Isla linked her arm with his, gently tugging. "Nikolai, I made a spiced honey cake for you two. Can you help me bring it over from my place?"

Her soft voice defused his anger instantly. He agreed, giving me a dismissive shove before heading out. I looked down, a small, bitter smile on my lips.

Once Nikolai left, Isla dropped the act. She circled me, smirking. "Freya, did you hurt your back just now? What a shame."

I eyed her warily. "Isla Gibson, what do you really want?"

I knew better than to think she cared about my well-being. Sure enough, she laughed, feigning sympathy. "Oh, nothing. Just expressing my regret.

"Yesterday, I got a little burn from hot water on my finger, and Nikolai was so worried he rushed me to the hospital. He's so attentive to me, his neighbor. Why is he indifferent to you, his official girlfriend?"

Her words provoked me, each one carefully chosen to rile me up. Even knowing her intentions and that Nikolai's heart was with her, my own heart ached with deep, bitter pain. Suppressing it, I answered stiffly, "I don't need your fake concern. I can handle myself."

Feigning surprise, Isla said, "Freya, you really are... strong. No wonder Nikolai says you're not very feminine."

I looked up at her, her eyes dancing with amusement, and my chest ached sharply. I had never realized this was Nikolai's view of me. So, he had reserved all the care meant for me for this woman, had he?

I had known Isla's name for half a year now, knew she was the one Nikolai had always idealized, who had just returned from abroad. Once she was back, Nikolai began coming home later, every time dismissing my questions with work excuses, his assistant playing along.

In reality, he was spending his time with Isla, captivated by her charm. I had put up with it all. I convinced myself that as long as Nikolai still came home, I could eventually win back his attention and heart.

But reality is always harsh. To ensure Isla could be in our lives legitimately, Nikolai went so far as to buy the neighboring villa. Knowing this, my hope of reconciliation was completely shattered.

I'm truly exhausted, and I've decided to let go.