I had been in a relationship with Sawyer for seven years, and yet, gossip surrounded him constantly. Despite this, he let me go through his phone and check in on him during business trips, and I never found any signs of misbehavior. Until the day of our engagement.

After the host finished recounting how Sawyer had arranged for my favorite white roses to be flown in from abroad, the screen, which was supposed to play a commemorative video of our seven years together, suddenly showed a clip accompanied by the loud cries of a newborn. In the video, Sawyer was sitting in a hospital room cradling a baby. Kylee Boyd, his secretary, leaned on his shoulder, wearing a diamond ring identical to mine.

She cried, insisting it was all a misunderstanding, while Sawyer's expression remained blank. "Kylee's a single mom. I was just doing my duty as her boss, offering some extra support. Surely, you won't hold onto this, will you?"

The room was silent, everyone waiting for me to explode. Yet, I calmly removed my ring and handed it back to him. "Of course not. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your double celebration."

My words hung in the air, with the room falling into a stunned silence. A few among the crowd, notably Scott Payne from marketing, who never thought highly of Sawyer and me, discreetly chuckled into their hands. Their disdainful gazes cut through me like knives. I glanced at Sawyer, whose face was clouded with anger, yet he showed no intention of reprimanding them.

With a bitter smile, I picked up the microphone and addressed the guests below. "The engagement party ends here. Feel free to enjoy the food and drinks. Any gifts or monetary offerings can be collected from Mr. Jacobs and Miss Boyd as you leave. And should our lovely couple wish to seize this opportunity to announce their own engagement, I'd be more than happy to witness their joy."

I placed the microphone down, ready to step off the stage, but Sawyer caught my wrist.

"Ember, what childish game are you playing on such a big day? Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Childish?" I withdrew my hand, meeting his steely gaze. "You accuse me of being childish, so tell me, what's the story with the ring on Kylee's finger? And what's her daughter wearing on her wrist?"

Sawyer averted his gaze, unable to meet my eyes.

I smirked coldly. "Speechless? Let me enlighten you. The ring on her finger, you claimed, was custom-made for me—one of a kind. The daisy bracelet on her daughter’s wrist was a couple's piece you gifted me last year, supposedly one of only two in the world."

I reached to check the bracelet on his wrist, but he pulled away, snapping, "Ember, even if you're right about everything, aren't you blowing this out of proportion? I pitied Kylee for being a single mother and gave her some material things. Do you have to keep harping on about it?"

I stared at him in disbelief, feeling like I no longer knew the man before me. "Fine then, Sawyer. Let's break up."

Sawyer's brows knitted in frustration. "Ember, enough. You might not care about your dignity, but I still have mine!"

The tension between us was palpable.

I turned to leave, but Kylee rushed to block my path, her perfume—a bitter orange scent—making my stomach churn.

Standing helplessly at the edge of the stage, she clutched at the hem of her blouse. "Ember, I know you're upset with me, but truly, the video was just a misunderstanding. You don't have to act like you’re disgusted just to humiliate me."

Feigning tears, she wiped her eyes, glancing at the audience before continuing, "A lot of business partners are here today. Even if you want to make a point, you shouldn't embarrass Mr. Jacobs in public."

With that, she started to sob quietly.

Sawyer approached, his face stern as he patted her shoulder. "If you had half of Kylee’s sense of decorum, I wouldn't have to worry so much! You go backstage and calm down; Kylee and I will handle this."

As I pursed my lips, Sawyer sighed, softening his tone. "Don't be stubborn, Ember. Listen for once."

Without waiting for my reply, he took Kylee by the hand and led her off the stage. As they passed by, Kylee murmured a taunting "Loser."

I grabbed her, demanding she repeat it. She looked at me innocently, while Sawyer scolded me more harshly. "That's enough!"

Pain shot through my lower abdomen, and I wondered if even the baby inside me was protesting on my behalf. Watching them disappear from the scene like a picture-perfect couple, I fled the hotel in a daze.

Outside, Clover, who was running late, saw my vacant expression and rushed over to steady me. Without needing words, she knew the engagement party must have gone terribly wrong.

"If I had known you’d get hurt, I would've broken you two up long ago, even if it meant risking our friendship. Sawyer Jacobs never deserved you!" she fumed.

My face pale, I whispered, "He doesn't deserve me, indeed."

McKinley dropped me off at home. She offered to stay, but I just needed some time alone. Reluctantly, she drove away.

I sank onto the soft bed, the familiar scent of cologne surrounding me, and tears started flowing uncontrollably. During those seven years together, Sawyer loved me with all his heart. After my parents passed away, and I found myself hunted by enemies seeking revenge, he stood beside me, facing them alone until they begged for mercy. Only after the police secured the area and confirmed my safety did he allow himself to collapse. At the hospital, we discovered that the knife wound to his abdomen missed being fatal by just a millimeter.

His actions spoke volumes more than any words of love could. Yet, this intense love eventually led to a bitter stalemate.

My phone buzzed, and a message from Kylee appeared on the screen. "I heard Ember Jacobs loves the scent of bitter orange. I wore it today, a gift from Mr. Jacobs. I don't usually wear it, but I thought she might appreciate it."

I tossed my phone aside, shaking with anger. I recalled our last anniversary when I asked for a bottle of bitter orange perfume. Sawyer had said, "It's too sweet for you. I'll get you sandalwood instead; it's more soothing." I waited, but as the year passed, the perfume never arrived.

Sawyer came home just as I was starting to drift off to sleep from crying. He climbed into bed, held me close, and wiped away my tears.

"Ember, please don't be upset with me. It was my fault for not being more careful today. Once the baby is born, I promise to give you a grander wedding to make up for it."

I said nothing, pushing against his chest to slide to the edge of the bed. Sawyer looked at me, panic flickering in his eyes.

"Ember, don't push me away. I've learned my lesson. I only visited Kylee at the hospital because I felt sorry for her as a single mom."

He pulled a red velvet box from his pocket. "I know you didn't like the design of the old ring, so I ordered this unique piece from a renowned jeweler for you. Please, give me a smile."

I glanced briefly at the ring and managed a smile. It was indeed one of a kind, but it wasn't something he rushed to buy. I'd already seen Kylee post a selfie on Instagram wearing this very ring, and Sawyer had liked it.

I looked up at him, suddenly unsure if he ever truly loved me.

"Sawyer Jacobs, I'm serious about the breakup. I'll move out soon to give McKinley and her daughter space."

"Enough!" Sawyer sat up abruptly, flinging the velvet box. The ring rolled under the bed as he glared at me in anger. "I've apologized, Ember. What more do you want? Today's issue was trivial, but you keep holding it over me, making my life unbearable."

I didn't want to argue, so I gave a short laugh and got out of bed. Seeing me not apologize as I had in the past, Sawyer grew more furious. He threw a pillow and swept everything off the nightstand.

The sound of shattering glass was soon followed by Kylee's tearful voice. "Mr. Jacobs, it's pouring outside. Aadhya won't stop crying. Could you come check on us?"

Sawyer saw my gaze fixed on him and softened his tone. "Kylee started feeling feverish while helping clean up. She still has to take care of Aadhya. I should check on them before she collapses. Let's talk when I get back, okay?"

He left in a hurry, not even noticing the shards of glass that had cut my hand, leaving droplets of blood behind. He was really that urgent.

Outside, the storm raged on, and soon, Kylee's messages followed. I knew they would hurt, but I opened them anyway, almost masochistically.

"Ember Jacobs, how does it feel to wear my leftover ring? You're always going to get my seconds."

"Feeling generous today, I'll share a secret. Remember when you were hospitalized with appendicitis just before you got pregnant? Mr. Jacobs said he couldn't be there because of an important client. But the truth is, he was with me that day."

She sent a voice note. Sawyer was singing a lullaby.

"This is the song he sang to comfort my daughter the night he canceled on you. Isn't it lovely?"

In that moment, my heart finally broke.

After scheduling an appointment for next Monday, I packed a few belongings and left this house for good.

Sawyer called the evening after I left.

He didn’t ask where I was or if I was alright. He just said, “It’s probably good for you to take some time to cool off. When you’ve come around, I’ll come get you.”

I let out a dry laugh and hung up.

A friend of mine, knowing I was pregnant, insisted I secure a spot at an early learning center. I didn’t mention my plans for a termination; I figured attending an orientation might just kill some time.

As soon as I walked into the building, I saw Sawyer there with Kylee’s daughter, participating in a class. They seemed like the perfect little family, sharing sweet smiles. I stood frozen in place.

It dawned on me then—every Wednesday, Sawyer would leave work two hours early, ever since around the time Kylee had her baby.

A bold suspicion started to take root...

While the receptionist stepped away to fetch me a glass of water, I sneaked a glance at their scheduling records. Seeing Sawyer signing Kylee’s daughter up for the most expensive package and committing to be there every Wednesday drained all my strength.

The receptionist, clueless to my inner turmoil, finished explaining the early learning programs and moved on to discuss the maternity center. She pointed at Sawyer in the classroom with a radiant smile, “That gentleman registered his wife for both our maternity center and the early learning program. They’re one of our premium clients. You might want to chat with her after the class.”

“Our premium clients receive exclusive benefits. If the parents decide to purchase a growth fund for their baby, we gift them a set of silver keepsake cups.”

Her words overwhelmed me. Kylee was considered Mrs. Jacobs. So what did that make me—an afterthought?

Seven years with Sawyer, and apart from a few minor gifts, he had never given me anything significant. Yet, he had meticulously planned everything for Kylee, even down to the maternity center details. I remembered the matching silver cup I saw on Kylee’s desk and how Sawyer had brushed it off. “It’s just a corporate anniversary gift—stop being so paranoid, alright?”

No wonder the marketing manager, Scott, couldn’t hold back his laughter at Sawyer’s awkward explanation, earning him a month’s salary cut.

I left the early learning center and, almost involuntarily, found myself at the maternity center the receptionist had mentioned.

Just as I walked in, Sawyer called again, “Where are you? I got two barbecue vouchers from a friend, and I thought we could grab lunch together. You’ve always wanted to try that spot, right?”

His tone was light, hinting at the fun he'd just had in class.

Before I could respond, my eyes were drawn to a commercial playing on a mounted TV. Kendra, the sales associate, approached me with a smile, “This is our promotional video. It showcases the daily lives and class highlights of our members.”

I tightened my grip on my phone as I watched Sawyer in the video, attending a postpartum recovery class with Kylee. While Kylee followed the instructor’s movements, Sawyer sat beside her, winding her long hair around his finger, crafting it into a makeshift ring.

“Isn’t it sweet? They’re our happiest couple here,” Kendra gushed. “He’s an entrepreneur, you know. Despite his busy schedule, he always makes time for her.”

I ended the call and absently touched the indentation left by a once-worn ring on my finger, smiling through the tears.

The attendant looked concerned, “Ma’am, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I replied, smiling, and walked away.

As I turned the corner, Sawyer’s car drove past me. Through the window, I saw him handing a licorice candy to Kylee. I recognized that candy wrapper well—it was my favorite.

I clutched my chest, wandering aimlessly forward, memories of Sawyer's disgusted face when he watched me eat that candy replaying in my mind.

“That stuff tastes terrible! How can you eat it?”

Because of him, I gave up my favorite candy. Yet today, I’d witnessed firsthand his indulgence toward Kylee.