For a whole week, Dominic didn't come home.

But I knew exactly what he was up to.

Beverly, bless her heart, posted everything on social media.

It was impossible to miss.

Hot springs trips, ocean views, sunrise selfies…

My social media feed was flooded with a completely different Dominic. He could be a normal, loving boyfriend. Just not with me.

I didn't dwell on their daily adventures; I'd glance, then quickly scroll past.

I wasn't idle, though.

The apartment was overflowing, and it took days to completely clear it out.

I even squeezed in a trip home, telling my parents I was heading to the lab soon and wouldn't have much contact with the outside world for a while.

My dad looked surprised. "You're practically married to Dominic. Won't you be living apart?"

Mom's eyes were filled with worry. She took my hand. "Jane, honey, think this through. You and Dominic have come so far. If you go to the lab, he might not agree, and the wedding…"

I understood their concern.

They'd witnessed my years of devotion to Dominic, and they knew his feelings weren't reciprocated.

Before the proposal, they'd gently advised me, suggesting that I wasn't important enough to him, urging me to reconsider.

But I'd been confident I could change him, make him fully accept me. So they'd agreed.

Now, with the wedding looming, they feared that if I went to the lab, Dominic would object, maybe even call off the wedding and break up with me.

They were worried about me getting hurt, so they wanted me to think carefully.

But the one calling off the wedding was me.

After I told them about the cancellation, they were silent for a long time.

I didn't tell them about Dominic and Beverly's baby, afraid they couldn't handle it.

I simply said I wanted to pursue my research.

They exchanged a look.

Since I'd made my decision, they'd support me.

Finally, Dad sighed, patted my shoulder, and said, "Just make sure you don't regret it."

Back home, I called my best friend, Alexa Reeves, to help me get rid of all the packed boxes. They were piled high in the living room, taking up a ton of space.

It took several trips up and down the stairs before we finally finished, leaving the apartment feeling strangely empty.

Alexa looked thoughtful.

"Remember two months ago," she said, "when you were so excited after Dominic accepted your proposal? We celebrated all night, you were so happy to finally get what you wanted."

She shook her head.

"And just two months later, you're calling off the wedding?" She paused. "Seriously? I thought you were joking that day." She leaned in. "You've been chasing Dominic for years. Tell me what happened."

Maybe it was the impending departure, but I felt the urge to confide. I told Alexa everything that had happened over the past month, including Dominic's baby with Beverly.

Alexa, who'd witnessed everything between Dominic and me, let out a string of curses.

"After everything you did for him, he gets another woman pregnant right before the wedding and expects you to be okay with it? What is wrong with him?!"

I shook my head, swallowing the bitterness. "He said Beverly saved his life and he wants to fulfill all her wishes."

Alexa was furious. "You saved him too! How could he do this to you?!"

I didn't reply. Maybe he just didn't love me. But it didn't matter. Soon, I'd be leaving him behind.

Countdown, day five. I submitted my resignation to the university.

Initially, to be with Dominic, I'd turned down my advisor's offer to continue research, choosing instead to follow Dominic to Concordia University and become a teacher.

My colleagues were surprised by my resignation.

"Why are you leaving, Jane?"

"I heard you were getting married. Going to be a stay-at-home wife? Dominic's a lucky guy!" one colleague joked.

I smiled, holding my boxes. "No, the wedding's off."

When I got home, I found Dominic and Beverly sitting on the couch—my first sight of Dominic in a week. He saw my boxes.

"What are you doing with all those things?"

I improvised. "Just stuff I don't need anymore."

Dominic nodded, surveying the apartment. "I've only been gone a week. It seems like a lot less stuff is here."

I took the boxes to the bedroom, calmly replying, "I just cleaned out some unnecessary junk."

Dominic started to speak, but Beverly interrupted.

"Jane, Dominic worked hard taking me on that trip. Thank you for letting him take wedding photos with me. My dream did come true. Let me treat you to dinner, to thank you both. I'll probably need your help for a while, so I hope you won't mind."

Beverly's smug look told me she knew I was unsettled.

Since I'd received the pregnancy test results, I hadn't reacted, hadn't even questioned Dominic. So I didn't want any more pointless arguments.

In five days, I'd be gone, out of Dominic's life. I just wanted to wrap things up here and leave.

Seeing my silence, Beverly's eyes welled up.

"Dominic, is Jane upset? You're getting married, but…"

Dominic's brow furrowed. He reprimanded me. "Beverly wants to thank us, and you're giving her a hard time? It's just dinner. She's not poisoning you. You're going!"

Before I could speak, he'd already labeled me the villain.

Dominic dragged me to the restaurant. As the waiter approached, Dominic ordered, "No heavy oil or salt. And no cilantro in any of the dishes."

When the food arrived, Dominic served Beverly attentively. Then he pushed a plate of shrimp towards me. "Beverly can't eat seafood. This is for you."

My appetite vanished. I put down my fork. "I'm allergic to shellfish."

How ridiculous. After five years, Dominic didn't know his girlfriend's shellfish allergy, but he knew Beverly's dietary restrictions perfectly, even down to the cilantro.

Dominic looked momentarily bewildered. When he looked at me again, there was a rare flicker of guilt in his eyes. He ordered more dishes.

I didn't touch my food, just sipped my water.

After dinner, Emily called. "Jane, the professor wants to confirm: you're sticking to the normal experimental schedule, right? The lab's first experiment involves a classified project. You might not be able to contact the outside world for a year or two."

My gaze fell on Dominic and Beverly. They walked side-by-side; Dominic carefully held Beverly's waist as they descended the steps.

My voice was calm. "Confirmed."

Emily sighed in relief. "Good. The professor was worried you'd miss your husband."

I turned away. "The wedding's off. I'm leaving."

A questioning voice came from behind. "Who's leaving?"

Dominic heard the last few words after he put Beverly in the car.

Realizing he hadn't heard the beginning, I made up an excuse. "A friend of mine is leaving soon."

Dominic nodded, asking no further questions.

Countdown, day four. Dominic brought home his and Beverly's wedding photos.

He video-chatted with Beverly on his phone while showing her the framed pictures, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Beverly, our wedding photos are ready. The staff said they came out great."

I happened to be getting water when he said that.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Dominic's face.

He seemed about to say something. I glanced at the photo and commented, "They really are nice."

I'd paid a high price for this photographer, hoping to capture the most loving moments between Dominic and me.

I'd imagined feeling immense happiness when I saw the finished photos.

Dominic, in his suit, was exactly as handsome as I'd envisioned.

The only difference was the bride wasn't me.

But I felt no emotion. Since learning about Beverly's pregnancy, my feelings for Dominic had completely vanished.

Dominic was taken aback.

He realized I hadn't spoken to him properly in a long time, not even sending a message during his week-long trip with Beverly.

It was unusual.

Beverly continued chattering on the video call.

He shook his head, suppressing his unease, assuming I was just exhausted from wedding preparations.

Two days before my departure, I went to the hospital for some medication.

I unexpectedly ran into Dominic and Beverly, fresh from a checkup.

A rare look of panic flashed across Dominic's face.

He started to speak, but Beverly cut him off.

She approached me, grabbing my hand and attempting to kneel.

Her voice choked with emotion.

"Jane, I know you haven't agreed to Dominic and me having a baby, but I can't wait any longer. The doctor says I only have a year left. I really want to see my child born. After the baby is born, I'll leave Dominic immediately. I won't interfere with your relationship."

Before I could respond, Dominic pulled Beverly up, his eyes filled with concern. "You're not well enough for this." He turned to me. "Since you know, I won't hide it. Don't worry, this won't affect our wedding."

A month ago, I would have been furious, devastated, despairing, consumed by self-doubt. I would have questioned my shortcomings, wondering why Dominic would willingly have a child with another woman.

But after this time, I understood. It wasn't my fault; Dominic didn't love me. Because he didn't love me, he could disregard my feelings and do this.

I already knew about Beverly's pregnancy and had let go of my feelings for Dominic. Their charade of me being the obstacle was unnecessary.

I looked at them silently, then withdrew my gaze. "I understand."

I took my medicine and left, needing to pack.

They hadn't expected my calm reaction. Dominic, in particular, watched my retreating figure with a complex expression.

I'd made a fuss about the pregnancy for a month, yet now, knowing the truth, I showed no reaction. A strange unease settled over him; something had changed silently, unbeknownst to him.

As I reached the stairs, Beverly grabbed my sleeve. Dominic was far behind. Beverly's true nature emerged. "Jane, how does it feel to watch your fiancé have a baby with another woman?"

I didn't want an argument, so I shook her off and left. As I pulled away, Beverly stumbled and fell. I instinctively caught her, but before I could release her, Dominic shouted angrily from behind, "What are you doing?"

He'd wondered at my calmness. Now, seeing this scene, he understood. My calm was a facade; I couldn't accept it.

Seeing Dominic, Beverly immediately adopted a victim's expression, her eyes red, clutching her stomach. "Dominic, I just wanted to thank Jane for being so magnanimous, but she…"

Dominic's face darkened. "Jane, I never expected this from you! Apologize to Beverly immediately!"