Zac let out a low, satisfied laugh. “I’ll be more gentle next time. I’ll grab you some ointment later.”

As his voice faded into the distance, Liz lowered her gaze and stared at the broken lipstick in her hand. Her face showed no emotion.

She dropped the snapped lipstick into the trash, then opened the second drawer of her jewelry box. Only a few scattered pieces remained.

It used to be packed with jewelry—hundreds of pieces, all gifts from Zac. But ever since he started cheating, she began throwing one away every time he disappointed her.

In the beginning, she did it slowly, hesitating each time. But over time, she discarded them more and more quickly. Now, there was almost nothing left.

Just like her love for Zac. It had once flooded her heart like a rising tide. Now all that remained was numbness and quiet resignation, nearly drained to nothing.

She picked up a delicate gold necklace with a tiny cat paw charm. It was a gift from their third anniversary.

Back then, Liz had been obsessed with the idea of getting a cat. She often stayed up late watching cat videos online.

When she received the necklace, she was overjoyed. She had turned that little paw over in her hand again and again, unable to stop smiling.

They had even made plans. After graduation, they would adopt a cat once they moved in together. They had already picked out a name—Gigi.

But of course, it never happened. Zac poured himself into his startup. Once it became successful, he only got busier. He barely had time for her, let alone time to think about getting a cat.

Looking back, that was probably when their relationship started to fall apart.

She had been too confident. She truly believed Zac would never change.

Swallowing the tight wave of emotion rising in her chest, Liz dropped the gold necklace into the trash and slowly closed the jewelry box.

Only five pieces were left.

She stood up, slipped on her coat, grabbed her bag, and walked out the door.

As soon as Liz arrived at the firm, a colleague walked over to congratulate her on another win.

“Congratulations, Miss Smith!”

“Miss Smith, that’s your sixth case this month, isn’t it? You really are the firm’s good luck charm.”

“I guess it’s true what they say. When love fails, your career takes off. Just look at how well you’ve been doing lately.”

The words had barely landed when someone nearby tugged on the speaker’s sleeve and gave them a warning glance. The room fell silent. Everyone shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Liz’s eyes.

Everyone at the firm knew she was engaged to Zac Lincoln. The ones who kept their ears open also knew he had been secretly seeing his secretary. But no one had ever dared to bring it up in front of Liz.

The colleague who had just spoken realized they had crossed a line and quickly apologized. “Miss Smith, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”

Liz’s face turned a shade paler. Her hand tightened around her briefcase handle, but she managed to force a smile.

“It’s fine. I’ll treat everyone to dinner tonight at Haven Bistro to celebrate. Be sure to keep your schedule open.”

Everyone chimed in with quick agreement, adding light jokes to smooth over the tension. Just like that, the awkward moment passed.

Back at her desk, Liz opened her laptop and began sorting through case files, preparing to write a case summary.

But after more than two hours, she had only written a few lines. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in thought.

That evening, Liz walked into Haven Bistro with a group of colleagues from the firm.

The moment they entered, she spotted two familiar figures sitting by the window.

She looked up and met Zac’s cold, indifferent gaze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

A second later, he looked away and smiled, acting as if she weren’t even there. He turned his attention back to Xena, gently feeding her a spoonful of dessert with a look of affection in his eyes.

Even in front of her coworkers, he couldn’t be bothered to show her a shred of respect.

One of the colleagues who was especially close to Liz turned bright red with anger. She stepped forward, ready to speak up for Liz.

Liz gently took hold of her colleague’s arm and spoke in a steady voice. “I’m fine. Let’s just go to the private room.”

Her colleague’s face was still filled with anger. She turned, ready to say something, but stopped short when she saw Liz forcing a smile—a smile that looked more painful than tears.

In the end, she said nothing and let Liz lead her toward the private dining room.

When it comes to love, only the person living it truly knows how it feels. If Liz wanted to keep pretending everything was fine, no one else had the right to interfere.

After the food was ordered, Liz stood up and told the group she was going to the restroom.

As she closed the door behind her, she could still hear the faint voices of her colleagues talking from inside the room.

“Did I see that right? Her boyfriend just fed dessert to another woman in front of her. He’s such a jerk.”

“I saw it too. I honestly don’t get it. What does she even see in a guy like that? She’s stunning. She could do so much better.”

“I guess it’s true what they say. Even the smartest people lose their sense when it comes to love. She’s always so clear-headed in court, but when it comes to her own relationship, it’s like she’s someone else.”

Liz didn’t hear the rest, but she could guess what was said.

They were right. Every word.

And yet, every time she thought about a future without Zac, a deep, unbearable ache filled her chest.

Eventually, she had learned to live with that feeling.

She had grown used to his indifference, to the lingering scent of other women’s perfume on his clothes, and to the slow, silent process of healing from one emotional wound after another.

But just as she reached the restroom door, her footsteps came to a sudden stop. It felt like her whole body had frozen in place.

Only a few feet ahead, what she saw hit her like a knife to the heart.

Xena was sitting on the edge of the sink counter while Zac stood between her legs, gripping her waist. His back was to Liz, and he was kissing Xena like they were completely alone in the world.

No matter how reckless he had been in the past, he had never crossed that line in front of her.

But today, he did.

As Liz stared at his back, it felt like something had torn open inside her. Cold air rushed in through the cracks, leaving her breathless.

“Zac Lincoln, how could you be this cruel?” Liz thought.

He was so caught up in the moment that he didn’t even notice her standing nearby.

But even if he had, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference. Whether she was hurting or not, he no longer seemed to care.

In the mirror, their tangled figures were clearly reflected—alongside Liz’s pale, devastated face, drained of all color.

She looked like a fool.

It was Xena who noticed her first. Her eyes widened in shock, and she quickly pushed Zac away.

“Mr. Lincoln… Miss Smith…”

Her cheeks were flushed, her wide eyes full of panic. Her lips were swollen and red, glistening with the remnants of his kiss, like freshly ripened fruit.

Zac didn’t even look at Liz. “Don’t worry about her,” he said flatly.

“Mr. Lincoln, wait—” Xena tried to speak, but Zac silenced her with another kiss.

No one knew how long it lasted. When he finally let go, he lifted her down from the counter, smoothed her dress, and wrapped an arm around her. Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned to walk out.

As they passed Liz, he gave her a mocking glance and raised an eyebrow. “Still not satisfied? Want me to bring Xena home tonight so you can really enjoy the show?”

Liz turned and looked directly at him. His eyes, once filled with warmth, now held only contempt.

“Zac,” she said softly, “you can do whatever you want with her when I’m not around. But can you please not throw it in my face? I’m begging you.”

She truly didn’t know how much longer she could keep holding on.

The future they had once imagined together now felt like a fantasy—one that only she was still clinging to.

Zac gave a careless laugh and tilted Xena’s chin before placing another kiss on her lips.

“Already can’t handle it? If it’s too much for you, feel free to call off the engagement or just walk away.”

Liz lowered her eyes, about to respond, when she suddenly froze.

On Xena’s wrist was a gold bracelet with a tulip design.

From the design to the craftsmanship, it was exactly the same as the one Zac had once designed and custom-made just for her.

Noticing Liz’s gaze, Xena quickly reached up to cover the bracelet on her wrist. Panic flickered in her eyes as she instinctively shifted closer to Zac.

Zac pulled her behind him and looked down at Liz with impatience. “Why are you staring at Xena?”

Liz’s eyes were tinged with red. “Zac Lincoln, why did you give her the exact same bracelet? You told me it was one-of-a-kind, made just for me.”

“Xena saw you wearing it and said she liked it,” he replied casually. “What, was I supposed to make you give yours to her? It’s just a bracelet, Liz. Since when did you become so petty?”

His tone was dismissive, as if this were some trivial matter.

Liz stared at him in disbelief. “But when you gave it to me back then, you said—”

Zac cut her off with a frown. “Why do you always cling to the past? You said it yourself—that was back then.”

He had always hated it when Liz brought up the past. It reminded him of the version of himself that had failed over and over again while trying to start his business. Liz had been there for all of it—every breakdown, every moment of despair. Now that he had finally made it, he didn’t want to look back. And over time, he had grown tired of her too.

Liz looked at him, her eyes full of sorrow, like fragile glass on the verge of shattering.

“So the promises you made don’t mean anything now? They can be broken just like that?”

Zac gave her a cold look. “I promised to marry you, and I’m keeping that promise. You want to get married, and I agreed. What else do you want from me?

“Liz, the only thing I’ve done wrong is not loving you anymore. Am I not allowed to choose who I love?”

Liz blinked, and a single tear slipped down her cheek.

So this was what happened when a man fell out of love. All the promises he once made crumbled like a sandcastle, disappearing with the wind.

He could stop loving her just like that. But what about her? What was she supposed to do?

How was she supposed to convince herself to forget the moments when they were in love? How was she supposed to accept his change of heart? How could she let go of him and let go of everything they used to be?

Zac noticed her silence, her lips pale and pressed together. Without another word, he wrapped his arm around Xena and walked away. His figure quickly disappeared around the corner.

Liz stood in place for a long time, eyes burning. She took her time pulling herself together before turning back toward the private dining room.

The dinner didn’t end until late that night.

Only after the last of her coworkers had left the restaurant did Liz drive home.

When she opened the front door, the apartment was completely dark. As expected, Zac wasn’t home.

The image of him kissing Xena by the sink flashed through her mind again, and a dull, familiar ache settled in her chest.

She closed her eyes and forced the tears back.

Walking over to her vanity, she opened the jewelry box and took out the gold bracelet with the tulip design.

There was a time when seeing it would make her smile. Now, just looking at it sent a wave of pain through her.

If it was no longer something special, there was no reason to keep it.

A bitter smile touched her lips as she let it fall from her hand.

The bracelet dropped into the trash can with a soft clink, landing with a finality that echoed the moment her heart skipped when she first saw it on Xena’s wrist.

In the days that followed, Zac never came home.

Each day, Liz sent him one message, reminding him about the wedding dress fitting on Saturday.

He never responded.

On Saturday morning, Liz got out of bed, got ready, and sat in front of her vanity applying makeup, just like any other day. That was when a message from Zac finally came through.

“I’m at the bridal boutique.”

When Liz arrived and saw Xena tucked into Zac’s side, clinging to his arm like they were already a couple, her expression turned cold.

“Zac Lincoln, today is our wedding dress fitting. Why did you bring her here?”

Zac looked completely unfazed, as if there was nothing inappropriate about the situation. “After this, I have a business meeting with her. Are you seriously making a fuss over something so small?”

“Small? You really think this is just a small thing?”

He had brought his mistress to their wedding fitting like it was nothing. Was he planning to bring Xena to the ceremony too?

Xena quickly let go of his arm, looking flustered. “Mr. Lincoln, I told you I shouldn’t have come. Maybe I should head back to the office. I can wait until you’re done—”

“There’s no need,” Zac cut her off coldly.

He turned to Liz, his voice sharp. “Are you trying on the dress or not? I’m busy. I don’t have time to stand around here all day.”

Liz knew that tone. When Zac’s eyes dropped like that, it meant he was past the point of patience.

If she said no now, he would walk out without a second thought.

Without another word, Liz walked through the door and into the bridal boutique.

The boutique associate greeted her right away with a bright, professional smile.

When she noticed Zac following close behind, with Xena still clinging to his arm, there was a brief flicker of surprise in her eyes. But her smile never faltered.

“Good morning, Mr. Lincoln, Miss Smith. The custom gown you ordered has just arrived. Let me show you to the fitting area.”

Liz had studied fashion design for a short time, and the sketch for this gown had taken her six months to complete under the guidance of a well-known local designer. She had poured everything into it.

But all the excitement and anticipation she once felt had vanished the moment she saw Xena. Now, she was just here to get it over with.

She gave a quiet nod. “Alright.”

She followed the associate to the bridal section, where her gown was displayed in the center of the showroom.

It was a strapless design. The bodice was made of sheer tulle, embroidered with her favorite flower—tulips—stitched so delicately in French lace that they looked like they were blooming straight out of the fabric.

A slim band of tiny pearls, fine as stardust, circled the waist and shimmered softly under the lights. The front of the skirt was crafted from smooth satin, while the train behind it flowed in three layered tiers of satin and lace. It was elegant, lightweight, and structured just enough to hold its shape. Liz couldn’t take her eyes off it.

“This came in first thing this morning,” the associate said warmly. “A few other clients asked if they could try it on, but we’ve kept it reserved just for you. I know you’re going to look incredible in it.”

Xena had also spotted the gown. Her eyes lit up with admiration and envy. In her sweet, high-pitched tone, she chimed in, “It’s stunning. I heard Miss Smith designed it herself. You’re really talented. Isn’t she, Mr. Lincoln?”

Her syrupy voice made Liz feel like she had swallowed something rotten.

She turned, ready to respond, but froze when she saw Zac looking at Xena with a soft expression. He reached out and gently patted her on the head.

“You’re not bad either. That’s why I made you my secretary.”

Xena gave him a playful look. “You’re always teasing me.”

In that moment, Liz suddenly had nothing left to say.

What was the point?

If Xena had the nerve to show up here and flaunt herself, it was only because Zac had made her feel she could.

The boutique associate clearly wasn’t sure how to handle the awkward moment. She spoke gently, her tone cautious. “Miss Smith… would you still like to try on the dress?”

Liz turned back to her, her expression calm and steady. “Yes.”

The associate carefully removed the gown from the display and led Liz into the fitting room.

Because the dress had a lace-up corset in the back, it took more than ten minutes to get everything properly adjusted.

Liz was already beautiful—fair-skinned, with elegant features and a natural grace that made people take notice. She had the kind of quiet beauty that drew people in without trying. It was that very presence that had once made Zac fall for her at first sight.

Now, standing in the gown, she looked even more breathtaking.

As the associate knelt down to straighten the hem, she looked up and smiled. “Miss Smith, if I weren’t a woman myself, I think I’d fall in love with you right now.”

Liz lowered her eyes and offered a faint, polite smile. “Thank you.”

The associate could tell she wasn’t in the mood to talk. With a quiet sigh, she stepped aside and said nothing more.

When the curtain was finally drawn back, Zac was still staring down at his phone, replying to work messages. Xena was nowhere to be seen.

One of the staff gently called his attention. “Mr. Lincoln, Miss Smith is ready.”

Zac glanced up without much interest. His eyes swept over Liz, then drifted away again.

“It’s fine. Nothing special.”

He meant it. He really didn’t feel anything. These days, even if Liz were standing in front of him with nothing on, it wouldn’t stir a reaction.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Liz’s heart.

She remembered a moment from their first year together, when they had talked about getting married. He had once told her that no matter what she wore, she would be the most beautiful bride he had ever seen. He said that when he saw her in her gown, he would probably cry—just from the joy of knowing he was finally marrying her.

It had been such a small promise. He had probably forgotten all about it.

Eight years was a long time. Long enough for someone to fall for someone new. Long enough to completely erase another person from their life.

Sensing the heavy silence, the associate was about to say something to ease the mood when the curtain to the fitting room across the boutique suddenly opened.

Xena stepped out in a different wedding gown. She wore a bright smile, her expression composed and confident as she looked directly at Zac.

“Mr. Lincoln, I didn’t think the dress you picked would fit me so well. What do you think?”

Zac looked at her with a faint smile, clear admiration in his eyes.

“You look beautiful. It suits you.”

Their eyes met across the room, and for a moment, the love between them was impossible to miss.

But the irony was unbearable.

This was supposed to be her wedding dress fitting with Zac. And yet, with Xena clinging to his side, Liz suddenly felt like the outsider. Like she was the one intruding.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her gown. Something inside her gave way—like a thread pulled too tight finally snapping.

She lifted her dress and walked slowly toward Xena.

Xena saw her coming and smiled even more brightly, tilting her head with practiced sweetness.

“Miss Smith, your is absolutely gorgeous. When I saw it, I couldn’t help but want to try one on too. You don’t mind, do you?”

Smack!

Without hesitation, Liz slapped her hard across the face.

Her voice was calm and measured. Each word dropped with weight. “What do you think now? Do I mind?”

Zac’s expression changed instantly.

“Liz, have you lost your mind?”

He rushed over and shoved her aside, lifting Xena’s chin to check the mark on her face.

The gown Liz wore had a wide skirt, and with nearly four-inch heels on, the sudden shove threw her off balance. Her ankle twisted sharply, and she collapsed to the floor.

Pain shot through her leg, but it was nothing compared to the aching hollow in her chest.

There was a time when Zac couldn’t even bear to see a single tear fall from her eyes. Now he could push her to the ground without a second thought—just to protect another woman.

He didn’t even glance her way.

Instead, he frowned at the redness on Xena’s cheek and said gently, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Xena shook her head and forced a smile through the sting on her cheek.

“I’m alright, Mr. Lincoln. I’ll ice it later,” Xena said, gently shaking her head. “We still have that meeting with the partners at eleven. We can’t afford to be late.”

At that moment, Zac saw how she was holding back her pain, doing her best to stay composed. The stubborn determination in her eyes made something twist in his chest. A surge of anger rose—but it wasn’t directed at her. It was aimed straight at Liz.

He turned to Liz, still sitting on the floor, and looked down at her with cool authority.

“Apologize.”

Liz met his gaze, her expression calm.

“Why should I?”

“You slapped her out of nowhere. Doesn’t that deserve an apology?” His voice grew louder, sharp with frustration. “When did you turn into this kind of person? Loud, impulsive, embarrassing?”

He looked at her like she was a stranger.

Liz gritted her teeth and slowly pushed herself up, ignoring the pain shooting through her ankle.

“You think I’ve changed? What about you, Zac? Haven’t you?”

He froze, caught off guard. Before he could respond, Xena gently tugged his sleeve, her voice soft and hesitant.

“Mr. Lincoln, please don’t fight with Miss Smith because of me. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have tried on a gown. I’m really sorry.”

Zac reached up and gently wiped away a tear at the corner of her eye.

“This isn’t your fault. You don’t owe anyone an apology. Someone else does.”

Liz felt a bitter laugh rise in her throat, but her eyes stung too much to let it out.

Eight years together. Their wedding only a month away. And now, to him, she was just “someone else.”

She looked at the man she had once loved so deeply and wondered—had he ever truly loved her at all?

Because if he had, how could he treat her like this?

And if he hadn’t, then what had the last eight years meant? Just a lie she was foolish enough to believe?

After making sure Xena was steady on her feet, Zac turned back to Liz. His eyes were cold and unyielding.

“If you won’t apologize, then don’t bother trying on the dress. We’ll postpone the wedding.”

Liz went pale. She looked into Zac’s eyes, now cold and distant, and felt a wave of hopelessness wash over her. A flicker of a bitter smile played on her lips.

He had gone to such lengths to defend Xena. One slap was all it took for him to threaten to postpone their wedding unless Liz apologized.

So this was what heartbreak felt like. A pain so sharp it hollowed her from the inside out.

She could already see it. If she gave in today, she would be swallowing this kind of humiliation for the rest of her life.

But she was done with that.

“Fine,” she said softly, just loud enough for them to hear. “If you want to postpone it, then go ahead.”

She turned without waiting for a response, lifted the hem of her dress, and walked stiffly toward the fitting room.

Her back was straight, but her limp made each step look heavier than the last.

Zac frowned as he watched her go, his face clouded and unreadable.

Xena’s cautious voice came from beside him. “Mr. Lincoln… did I mess things up?”

Zac didn’t respond. Maybe he hadn’t heard her, or maybe he just chose not to answer.

While Liz was changing out of her wedding gown, the boutique associate noticed her swollen ankle and let out a soft gasp. “Miss Smith, your ankle looks really swollen. I’ll bring you some ice in a bit.”

Liz lowered her eyes, and a sudden sting rose in them.

She hadn’t expected it, but even a boutique associate she barely knew seemed to care more than her own fiancé did.

Was it really worth it—losing herself like this over a man?

She pressed her lips together and managed a faint smile. “Alright. Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It’s part of my job.”

The associate was about to rehang the gown and go get the ice when something on the floor caught her eye. She bent down and picked it up.

“Miss Smith, your bracelet fell.”

Liz turned at the sound of her voice. The moment she saw it, her eyes briefly flickered.

“It’s broken. I can’t wear it anymore. Would you mind throwing it away for me?”

It had been a birthday gift from Zac during their third year together. The star bracelet had their initials engraved on it, followed by the word “forever.”

She used to take such good care of it. She never imagined it would break so suddenly today.

In the past, she might have been devastated. She might have seen it as a terrible sign.

But now, she didn’t care.

The associate hesitated. The bracelet looked expensive and probably could be repaired, but when she noticed how pale Liz looked, she decided not to bring it up. After rehanging the gown, she quietly walked off with the bracelet in hand.

Just as she reached the trash can and was about to toss it in, a cold voice stopped her.

“What are you holding?”

Startled, she turned around and saw Zac standing there, his expression icy.

“It’s Miss Smith’s bracelet,” she replied quickly. “It broke while she was trying on the dress. She said she couldn’t wear it anymore and asked me to throw it away.”

A flicker of coldness flashed through Zac’s eyes. He recognized the bracelet instantly. It was the one he had given Liz for her birthday.

He had just given Xena a nearly identical bracelet. So now Liz was throwing this one away on purpose, trying to make him feel guilty?

His gaze darkened, and the air around him seemed to tighten.

“Give—”

Before he could finish, Xena’s voice rang out behind him, sweet and perfectly timed.

“Mr. Lincoln, I’m done changing.”

His outstretched hand froze in midair. A moment later, he pulled it back and turned to face her, his expression softening.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

“Shouldn’t we at least say goodbye to Miss Smith? Also, what were you talking about with the associate just now?”

“It’s nothing. We don’t need to wait.”

Xena gave the associate a curious glance but didn’t press further. She knew Zac well. If he didn’t want to talk about something, pushing him would only irritate him.

Over the years, she had used that very tendency to quietly drive a wedge between Zac and Liz more than once.

By the time Liz stepped out of the fitting room, Zac and Xena were already getting ready to leave.

Out of the corner of her eye, Liz caught sight of them walking away side by side. Her fingers curled slowly into a fist, but her face stayed calm.

She once read a quote that said, “When disappointment builds up long enough, letting go becomes easy.”

Maybe her time with Zac was finally coming to an end.