Seven days before our wedding, Danny Wagner—my childhood sweetheart—got down on one knee for Mia Kant, the broke girl he'd been sponsoring. Right in front of me and his buddies.

I didn't cry. Didn't lose it. Just slapped a smile on my face and said, "Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness."

His buddies? Oh, they had the nerve to tell me to be generous and let Danny help Mia finish her "wish list."

Danny, unsatisfied and ticked off, said I was overreacting and demanded an apology.

Dismissive, he sneered, "I said I'd marry you after Mia's wish list was done. Stop being so unreasonable."

I knew this was the last item on her list.

I opened my notes app, scrolled to my wish list, and deleted all thirty-three bullet points.

Done.

Then I made a call. "I'm willing to marry you."

The voice on the other end chuckled. "Where are you? I'll come get you."

The biting cold cut through me, but the ache in my chest was sharper. Cheers floated down from the private room upstairs. My fists clenched so hard they started to cramp.

I barely made it a few steps before Mia came scrambling after me.

"Paige, I didn't mean to ruin your relationship! Please, don't be mad, okay? I'll give Danny back to you! I... I didn't think it'd turn out like this." Her nose was red, and she had that pitiful look.

I snorted. "Don't bother. I'm done. Scum and trash? You two are a perfect match."

Mia kept apologizing. "Paige, hit me! Go on, just hit me! I shouldn't have come between you two." Then, as if this was some drama audition, she dropped to her knees, grabbed my hand, and tried to slap herself with it.

Before she could pull it off, Danny's hand clamped around my wrist, hard enough to make me wince. A loud slap echoed, and my cheek stung like fire.

I froze.

Danny, shaking with rage, yanked Mia into his arms and threw his coat over her.

His tone was sharp, cutting. "Paige Hart, I WARNED you not to push me.

"You've changed. Since when did you get so petty and competitive? You're embarrassing me.

"I only see Mia as a sister. Tonight is the last time I'm spending with her. After this, I'm yours. Got it?"

He glared at me, his eyes—those stupid, mesmerizing eyes I used to love—full of disappointment.

My eyes stung with unshed tears.

Danny and I had grown up together. Back when I called myself a princess, stuck in some fairy-tale daydream, he played along like a total goof—prince, knight, superhero, whatever it took. He'd tell everyone I was his one and only princess, his chest puffed out like it actually meant something.

He never let me cry, never let me feel painful. When I got hospitalized with a raging fever, he sat by my bed for two days, no food, no sleep, promising he'd take my place in the underworld if it meant I'd live. The golden boy of the Wagner family even learned to cook and do laundry, just to take care of me.

Now, when I looked at him, all I saw was a stranger.

Was it me who'd changed? Or had I just ignored how far his heart had drifted—thanks to Mia. Honestly, it might as well have floated across the Pacific.

Seven years ago, when we officially became a couple, we decided to make it meaningful—sponsoring a student in need. I chose Mia. She was this bright kid with a wreck of a past, and together, we gave her everything—got her into the best high school, swore we'd see her through college.

Funny how Danny used to grumble about her. She didn't get social cues. She'd never make it in the real world.

But that disdain? Yeah, it was long gone.

I'd ask him to quit smoking, worried sick about his health. He'd just laugh, say he'd quit when we had kids, then light up like it was no big deal.

But when Mia so much as coughed from the smoke? He stubbed it out. Just like that. Never touched another cigarette.

"Danny," I said, "Let's cancel the wedding."

One week. That's all I needed to pack, leave, and find someone who actually deserved me.

Danny's crew trailed him outside, swarming me with their useless advice.

"Paige, what's the big deal? Danny just wants to help Mia with her dreams," one of them said.

"Exactly," another chimed in. "Mia's had it rough. It's just a few wishes. You're being way too petty."

Even Joe, Danny's younger brother—someone I used to favor—decided to pipe up. "Paige, Danny hasn't even married you yet, and you're already pulling this?

"You better watch yourself. If Danny says the word, he'll drop you like that. Honestly, who'd even want a used-up reject like you?"

They shared a round of knowing looks, smirking like they'd just landed the ultimate burn.

Danny, still holding Mia, let out a low, mocking laugh. "You sure about this, Paige? Don't come crying later, begging for forgiveness."

Right then, a sleek Maybach pulled up to the curb. Without a word, I turned and walked straight to it, sliding into the passenger seat.

Danny's face twisted like he'd swallowed something sour. "Paige!" he bellowed. "Get out of that car! We can still talk!"

Hugh Parker, cool as ever in the driver's seat, leaned over to buckle my seatbelt, his lips curving into a faint smile.

"Take me home," I said quietly. "I need to pack my things."

"Sure. Pack everything up properly."

***

Over the years, Danny had showered me with expensive gifts. Handbags, jewelry—you name it. I called a resale boutique to haul it all away. They could only take half, promising to come back for the rest tomorrow.

My temples throbbed as I massaged them, trying to stave off a headache. I ordered takeout, eating while I mindlessly scrolled through social media.

The first thing that popped up? A picture of Danny and Mia. He was cradling her face, staring at her like she was the love of his life.

Next was a video in the group chat, courtesy of one of his buddies. It showed them kissing, all while the peanut gallery cheered and whistled in the background. The wet, sloppy noises made my stomach turn. I exited the group chat without a second thought.

Seconds later, Danny called. His voice was a mix of frustration and desperation. "Paige, it was just a joke! How many times do I have to explain?

"These are my closest friends. Are you really planning to ghost all of us without even talking to me?"

I replied with a quiet, "Yeah."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Joe's voice chimed in from the background. "Chill, Danny. She'll come crawling back in a couple of days, begging to rejoin."

I hung up and let out a dry laugh.

They probably thought they were right. In the past, I might've swallowed my pride and apologized. But not anymore. I was done.

That night, before I went to bed, my eyes laned on the wedding photos scattered across the nightstand and dresser. I couldn't stand the sight of them.

I got up, grabbed a framed picture of Danny and Mia I'd swiped from his study, and swapped it in for the wedding photos.

He should thank me for my thoughtfulness.

***

The next morning, Danny came home, like nothing had happened. His eyes lit up the second he saw me.

"I knew you'd be waiting for me," he said, grinning like he'd won. "I should've come back last night. It's Mia's fault—she was scared of the dark, so I stayed with her. It won't happen again..."

His voice faltered when he noticed the boutique staff hauling out my handbags. His face stiffened, panic flashing for just a moment.

"Why are you selling the stuff I gave you?"

I stayed calm. "They're taking up space. I need room for new things."

Danny's face lit up. He grabbed my hand, practically bouncing. "Got it. I'll buy you new ones!"

I frowned, pulling my hand free. He'd completely missed the point.

The space wasn't for my things.

It was for Mia's.

I was moving out.

Danny claimed he'd been up all night gaming and needed to crash, tugging me toward the bedroom.

I might've believed him—if it weren't for the lipstick stain on his collarbone.

"What's the meaning of this? Are you trying to disgust me on purpose? Where are our wedding photos?" Danny's voice was sharp, furious, his bloodshot eyes locked on the empty wall.

"They're gone."

He froze, his body stiffening for a beat before his hands started to shake. "I'm exhausted. Why do you always have to make everything a scene?

"Fine, I was wrong, okay? I'll apologize. Just... put the pictures back.

"I don't care about her. I was only helping Mia finish her wish list."

For a while, I'd believed that too.

Cooking her cream soup when her stomach hurt.

Spending an entire blackout cuddled up with her.

Taking her to the amusement park I'd always wanted to visit.

Even tagging along to a lingerie store and helping her pick out bras.

All of it was on Mia's thirty-three-item wish list—the one she'd sent me, neat and explicit, before withdrawing it with some lame excuse about "sending it by mistake."

That was when it hit me: there was nothing innocent about any of this.

"The cleaner took care of them," I said, meaning the photos.

Danny's expression cracked.

"You can always take new ones," I added with a faint smile.

His face softened, and his warm hand landed on my shoulder. "Good. We'll take even better ones next time."

He had no clue I meant him and Mia.

The awkward silence shattered with the buzz of my phone.

It was a real estate agent calling to confirm if I was serious about selling. Apparently, pricing the properties at half their market value had caught some attention.

These weren't just any properties—they were the ones Danny had transferred to my name when he proposed. A penthouse in Rivera, a suburban villa, and two four-bedroom apartments right in the heart of the city.

"Yeah, I'm serious," I said. "The contracts are signed. Just find buyers ASAP. I need the money."

Danny's eyes narrowed as he noticed my tone. His hand shot out, gripping my wrist so hard I winced.

"Who was that?" he demanded.

"The agent."

"An agent? For what?"

Feigning nonchalance, I shrugged. "Oh, just asking about a listing for someone else."

His shoulders relaxed. "Good. Paige, I'm all yours now. I swear, Mia won't come between us again."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't bother responding.

Before I could call him out, his phone buzzed. A quick conversation later, Danny was out the door, still in his slippers, rushing like his life depended on it.

I waved dismissively and went back to packing.

***

By the time I was almost done packing, Danny called again. "Paige, Mia's depression flared up. I'm scared she'll do something stupid. You know how suicidal she can get."

I let out a dry laugh. "Spare me the speech. I don't care."

Suddenly, Mia's sobbing voice cut in. "Paige, I'm so sorry. I can't control myself anymore. I just... I just want it all to end.

"That way, you and Danny can be together forever."

"Then go ahead and die. No one cares."

I wasn't falling for it. My therapist had already told me Mia's little breakdowns were just part of her act.

On the other end, chaos exploded—Mia's over-the-top wailing, Danny yelling. "Paige, you're heartless! I wish I could rip you open and see if your heart's made of stone!

"Mia's depression is your fault! You've been cruel to her from the start. Are you happy now, driving her to this?"

"Yes," I said flatly.

"You're unreal," he growled before the line went dead, probably because he'd smashed his phone. Typical Danny tantrum. Not my problem.

There were only four days left until the wedding, and I was almost out. Just a few loose ends to tie up before I could leave Danny and his chaos in the rearview mirror.

As I hauled out another suitcase and waited for the movers, Danny barged in.

His face was pale, his jaw tight, and his eyes flicked frantically between the luggage and the nearly empty house.

"Where are you going?" His voice cracked. "Paige, tell me you're not leaving. You're not... right?"