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.