After discovering that Kason had been secretly seeing his mistress for three years and was planning to marry her, I decided to leave him and return home for an arranged marriage.

On the first day, I handed the engagement ring he had given me to his mistress.

On the second day, I discarded everything that reminded me of him.

On the third day, I put on my wedding dress and married his arch-rival, Ronan.

From that day forward, Kason and I were no longer connected.

Kason scoffed, thinking I was just throwing a tantrum.

Until he saw the news of my marriage to someone else.

Only then did he panic.

==============================

In the office, the two of them were completely unaware of my presence outside the door.

I poured out the coffee I had made for Kason and left.

Kason had always kissed me with such care, so I had never seen him so passionate before.

Now I knew it was because he had given that side of himself to someone else.

I had thought I could marry for love, but reality had hit me hard.

Numb and disheveled, I wiped away my tears and took a cab back to the mansion.

As soon as I got out of the car, several unfamiliar messages came through.

They were from Ximena.

"You heard it, didn’t you? Mr. Henry is going to give me a wedding even grander than yours."

Reading those words, my heart still clenched.

He had once said that he would only ever step into a wedding hall with me.

But now, the wedding we had been looking forward to for so long had become a tool to placate his little bird.

Seeing that I hadn’t replied, Ximena sent several more photos.

In them, she and Kason were entwined, their intimacy unmistakable.

"Has he ever loved you like this?"

I gave a bitter smile and didn’t respond.

Instead, I saved the chat history and walked into the mansion.

Less than half an hour after I got home, Kason arrived with a large bouquet of roses.

The roses were fragrant, but I could still detect that unique sweetness on him.

Before, he had only carried my scent.

But now, it was no longer mine.

When I pushed him away, Kason looked momentarily stunned but quickly recovered.

He kissed the corner of my mouth, as if coaxing a child, and spoke softly to me for a long time.

In the past, this was how he would calm me down when he made me angry, and I would always forgive him after just a few words.

But this time, I didn’t want to forgive.

Seeing my lack of response, Kason pulled out a red velvet box from his pocket.

"Luisa, look what this is."

I opened the box to find the royal diamond ring I had wanted for so long.

Back then, Kason had felt guilty for not being able to buy it for me.

But now, seeing the hidden guilt in his eyes, I knew it was just a bribe after his betrayal.

Remembering the promises Kason had made to me, I instinctively looked at him.

"Luisa, I’ve finally given it to you, this ring that belongs only to you."

"From now on, it’s just you and me, forever."

My fingers traced the ring, but my heart felt as if it were being torn apart.

Kason, you still remember the promises you made back then, so how could you change your heart now?

With a bitter smile, I took off the ring, but Kason grabbed my hand, his voice urgent.

"Luisa, what are you doing?"

"Don’t you like it anymore?"

A flash of panic crossed Kason’s eyes, but I hid my feelings and spoke calmly.

"Rings are most meaningful when given on the wedding day."

I saw Kason visibly relax, but my heart ached unbearably.

Once, I had hoped to grow old with you, to spend our lives together.

But now, Kason, we have no future.

He put the ring away, slapping his forehead in frustration.

"It’s my fault for being so impatient, Luisa."

"But the thought of finally being able to marry you makes me so eager."

Kason grew more and more excited as he spoke, and in the past, I would have been moved to tears.

But now, I just looked at him calmly, my face expressionless.

Seeing my calm demeanor, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes, and he was about to say something.

But then his phone lit up, and Kason’s face darkened, only to turn excited the moment he saw the message.

He scrolled through the screen, his Adam’s apple bobbing, a flash of desire in his eyes.

Then he turned off the screen and sighed, feigning regret.

"Luisa, I’m sorry, but something’s come up at the office. I have to go."

Before I could respond, Kason rushed out, not even grabbing his coat.

I still called out to him, "Is it really something important?"

He froze at my words, then smiled and said, "Of course it is. Why would I lie to you? Wait for me, I’ll be back."

Then he turned and left without hesitation.

I knew he was going to see Ximena.

And I knew he wouldn’t be coming back tonight.

Looking at the empty room, I suddenly laughed.

I had once told him that if he lied to me and I found out, I would leave his world forever.

Kason, since you lied to me.

We’ll never see each other again.

Four hours later, I got a text from Ximena Mills.

“Guess what I found in Kason’s clothes?”

She sent me a photo.

It was the ring Kason had given me.

I stared at the picture, my heart feeling like it was being crushed.

Ximena’s messages kept coming.

“This ring, Kason gave it to you, right?”

“Too bad, with just a little charm, it’s mine now.”

My vision blurred, and my hands shook so much that I dropped my phone.

In just a few hours, the ring he said was meant only for me had ended up with someone else.

Just like our years together, it wasn’t mine anymore.

The phone screen was still glowing, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at it.

I numbly washed my face, scrubbing away the last bit of feeling I had for him.

The next morning, when I woke up, Kason was already back.

He looked smug, with faint red marks on his neck.

I didn’t say anything, just stared straight at him.

Kason avoided my gaze, then tried to cozy up to me.

“Luisa, I’m sorry, work’s been crazy. I couldn’t get away.”

His body pressed against mine, his breath warm on my skin, but I felt cold inside.

Resentment bubbled up in me.

I gently pushed him away and spoke casually.

“I’ve changed my mind. Wearing the ring would show how much we care about each other.”

“Kason, where’s my ring?”

I held out my hand, making it clear what I wanted.

Kason hesitated, his face unreadable.

In that moment, I felt like I was falling into a frozen pit.

I already knew what he was going to say.

Sure enough, after a pause, he pursed his lips, his tone almost begging.

“Luisa, I think that ring’s outdated. It doesn’t suit you.”

“How about we pick out a new one? I know a place with some gorgeous designs…”

I shook my head, cutting him off. “Never mind, it’s not important anymore.”

Even though I’d expected it, the truth still hurt.

A flash of panic crossed Kason’s face. He grabbed my hand tightly, speaking quickly.

“Luisa, are you mad at me?”

“Why wouldn’t it be important?”

“We’re about to get married. You can’t scare me like this. I’ll get you a better one right away.”

Kason’s voice kept echoing in my ears, but all I felt was disgust.

“It’s fine, I’m not mad. Just take me out to dinner to make it up to me.”

Kason immediately relaxed. “I’ll take you now.”

Looking at his relieved expression, I suddenly wondered.

If he knew I’d already decided to leave him, would he still be so calm?

In the restaurant, Kason Henry thoughtfully cut the steak for me and placed it in front of me. He then called the waiter to pour me some warm water. However, the person who arrived looked familiar—it was Ximena Mills. When she saw me, she flaunted the diamond ring on her finger with a smirk. Kason frowned, glanced at Ximena, and spoke coldly. "After pouring the water, leave. Don’t linger." Ximena stormed off in anger.

Kason stayed by my side, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere. He kept fidgeting, his gaze distant. Finally, he squeezed my hand and stood up. "Luisa, I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom." I nodded and watched him walk away.

A few minutes later, I received a message from Ximena. "Come to the restroom." I pushed open the restroom door and heard their voices from one of the stalls. Kason said in a hushed tone, "Don’t show up in front of Luisa again. I’ll give you whatever you want." Ximena purred, "Then I want you to spend the night with me." Kason sighed, seemingly relenting. "Fine, but I need to go home and be with Luisa first."

The moment the words left his mouth, I closed the door and walked out of the restaurant. I then sent a message to my arranged marriage partner, Ronan Cooper. "Didn’t you say the wedding dress arrived? I’ll go try it on now."

When I returned home, Kason was pacing anxiously. Seeing me, he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Luisa, where did you go? I’ve been looking for you everywhere." I pushed him away and walked to the couch. Thinking of the wedding dress I had just tried on, I smiled slightly and said, "I went to try on the wedding dress."

Kason seemed pleased, his tense body relaxing. He spoke softly, "Luisa, I know you’re excited about our wedding. But next time, don’t just leave without saying anything, okay?" I nodded gently, not arguing. But I didn’t tell him that the wedding dress I tried on wasn’t for our wedding. After all, in just one day, I would leave him. While he walked into the wedding hall with someone else, I would also marry someone else.

Kason knelt down, his face pressed against my knees. From this angle, I could see the red marks on the back of his neck. "Luisa, I’ve had a ring made for you." The diamond was enormous, and the craftsmanship was exquisite. It was clear Kason had put a lot of thought into it. But I wasn’t as excited as I once would have been. Instead, I smiled and handed the ring box back to him. "Give it to me at the wedding."

Kason didn’t notice my indifference. He looked at me with the same love as before. But I knew he wasn’t the same man who only loved me anymore. And I wasn’t the same woman who only loved him.

My phone rang, and when Kason saw the caller ID, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. "Luisa, the company has some urgent matters to attend to during the holidays. I need to go back and check on things. You go to sleep; don’t wait for me." I nodded obediently and watched him rush out. As the sound of his car engine faded, I slowly stood up and began packing my things.

When there was no trace of me left in the villa, I finally let out a long breath. I opened my phone and saw a boastful message from Ximena. "Tomorrow, Mr. Henry is throwing me a wedding even grander than yours. Take a look at the wedding dress he bought for me—it’s even more expensive than yours." I smirked and calmly replied, "What a coincidence. My wedding is tomorrow too."

Then I placed the printed chat records on the coffee table and walked downstairs. Outside, a Maybach was waiting, and the distinguished man inside had been there for a while. I got into the car, glanced at the villa where I had lived for so long, and closed my eyes. Kason Henry, from now on, we’re strangers.