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“Luisa, I think that ring’s outdated.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.