I've been in a secret relationship with Declan Gibson for five years, and I've tried to seduce him more times than I can count.

Yet, when I stand in front of him in my birthday suit and a pair of bunny ears, all he does is worry that I'll catch a cold and wrap me in a blanket.

I used to think his restraint came from being the mafia don, that he was saving our first time for our wedding night.

However, one month before the ceremony, he secretly plans the city's grandest fireworks show to celebrate his childhood sweetheart's birthday.

They hug and share a slice of cake in public. That night, they check into a hotel.

…

The next morning, I watch them leave together. That's when I realize Declan is not restrained. He just doesn't love me, so I walk out of the hotel.

I call my parents. "Dad, I've broken up with Declan. I'll marry into the Sullivan family as planned."

My father is stunned. "I thought you were madly in love with Declan. Why did you break up? I heard Bryson can't have children. You've always loved kids. What will you do once you marry him?"

"It's fine," I reply, disheartened. "We can always adopt."

For five long years, Declan Gibson and I kept our relationship hidden. I had tried to seduce him more times than I could count.

Yet, one month before our wedding ceremony, he quietly organized the city's grandest fireworks display for his childhood sweetheart's birthday.

After they embraced in public, they shared a slice of cake. They even checked into a hotel together later that night.

…

I watched them leave the hotel, side by side. That was when the truth hit me—Declan wasn't showing restraint. He just didn't love me.

As I exited the hotel, I rang my parents. "Dad, I'm done with Declan. I'll marry into the Sullivan family as planned."

Shocked, my dad replied, "I thought you were madly in love with Declan. How did you two break up? I also heard that Bryson is infertile. You've always wanted a family, so what are you going to do once you marry him?"

"It's fine," came my voice, laced with resignation. "There's always adoption."

My words left my dad stunned. Then, he pressed, "Do you know that Bryson was in a car crash last year? He suffered nerve damage to his lower body. He can't have kids anymore! If you marry him, you'll be a widow in all but name!"

My hand holding the phone shook slightly. So what if I was a widow in all but name?

"Dad, Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm flying back in three days to get engaged to Bryson," I replied. "Whatever happens after that, good or bad, I'll live with it."

And with that, I hung up. I knew they loved me, but they didn't know what Declan had put me through.

For the past five years, I was always the one reaching out to him. Yet, he rejected me every time.

I even started to doubt myself. Maybe I wasn't charming enough to turn him on. In the end, I comforted myself with the thought that he just wanted to save our first time for our wedding night.

But now, I knew the truth. It was never about me not being enough. It was because his heart belonged to someone else.

…

I returned to the villa that Declan and I had shared for five years.

In all that time, I loved him with everything I had. My world revolved around him, even if we had to keep our relationship under wraps.

Yesterday should've been our fifth anniversary. Instead, he had celebrated another woman's birthday, complete with roses and champagne.

Hidden behind the crowd, I watched as Declan's friends raised their glasses to them.

"May you two live happily ever after!"

"Declan, don't forget to invite us to the wedding!"

The more I thought about it, the sharper the irony cut. We had been together for years, yet his friends didn't even know I existed.

But they all knew her.

I had seen a fireworks show scheduled on Declan's phone and assumed it was for our anniversary. So, I followed him quietly. I thought he was preparing a surprise for me, only to find out it was for someone else.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to a delivery guy holding a cake. "Ma'am, here's the cake your boyfriend ordered for you."

I took the box from him, opened it, and saw the message.

"Happy anniversary, sweetheart!"

My hands trembled the moment I saw it.

Declan had ordered the cake, and the handwriting was his. Every year on our anniversary, he'd always have a cake delivered, with a note written for me.

Once upon a time, that would've made me cry tears of joy. However, it now made me sick.

I set the cake down on the table and lifted the lid. The delicate design and pastel colors were supposed to be sweet, but all they did was make me queasy.

I dumped the cake in the trash. Then, I looked up at the chandelier. The lights flickered softly, as if they were mocking how foolish and pathetic I had been.

Before I knew it, tears slipped down my cheeks, falling onto the couch and disappearing without a trace.

At that moment, the door swung open.

Declan walked in and stopped short when he saw me curled up on the couch.

"Scarlett, why are you still awake?"

Declan stood there, holding a bouquet of red roses. Yet, his face showed not the faintest trace of guilt.

After a pause, he said, "Scarlett, these are for you. Your favorite red roses."

I took the flowers from him and brought them to my nose. I used to love the scent, but it made my stomach turn instead.

Declan stared at me. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Scarlett, Beatrice… has stomach cancer. The doctors say she doesn't have much time left. Her dying wish is to marry me. So…"

He hesitated for a moment. Then, he continued, "I'm getting engaged to her in three days. You've always been so empathetic. I know you'll understand my reasons, right?"

I looked at him. He suddenly felt like a stranger. Was this really the man I had loved for five years?

Still, I nodded slightly. "Okay."

A flicker of surprise crossed Declan's face. Clearly, he hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

Then again, he used to say I was reckless, immature, and too possessive. I'd get upset any time a woman approached him. He claimed that I wasn't like other girlfriends—calm and understanding.

So, of course, he was surprised I didn't even get angry about him getting engaged to someone else.

Maybe he realized he had gone too far, because he kept explaining. "Scarlett, I knew you'd understand. Don't worry. Once this is over, we'll get married. Beatrice only has a month or two left."

I looked down at the roses in my hand, and a dull ache tugged at my chest.

"Okay." I nodded again without the slightest hesitation.

Declan's gaze lingered on me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Thank you, Scarlett."

Then, he stepped closer and reached for my face.

I pretended to put the flowers in a vase, just to avoid his touch.

Just hours ago, he had been holding Beatrice Porter's hand. I didn't want those same hands touching me.

On top of that, the smell of her perfume still clung to him, and it made me want to pull away.

Declan looked at me, clearly sensing my resistance. His brow furrowed in irritation as he called out, "Scarlett?"

After all, I had never once pushed back against him in all these years.

"I'm tired," I said simply. "I need to rest."

I kept my head down and walked straight to the bedroom without looking at him.

Meanwhile, Declan stood there, staring at my retreating figure. All at once, his temper flared up.

"Why are you giving me an attitude? Didn't I tell you? Beatrice doesn't have much time left. Can't you just try to be a little more understanding?" he snapped.

With that, he turned and stormed out.

As the door closed, I looked around the empty room. To my surprise, all I felt was calm.

I threw the red roses into the trash to accompany the cake Declan bought. Then, I began to pack.

Over the past five years, I had filled the entire house with things I'd bought. However, now that I had gone through it all, I realized I didn't have much worth keeping. I threw all the clothes, shoes, and bags into the trash.

As for the memories we shared, I didn't want them either.

The next day, I walked into Declan's company and handed in my resignation.

My coworker, Ruth Collins, stared at me in disbelief. "Scarlett, are you out of your mind? You're about to be promoted to Chief Technology Officer. If you quit now, all that hard work will go to waste!"

I smiled but didn't say a word.

The title was something I had spent years fighting tooth and nail to earn. But what did it matter now? Declan and I were done, and staying in his company just made me sick.

"I'm getting married soon. I'll probably help out at my husband's firm," I answered.

Ruth froze momentarily. Then, she broke into a smile. "Oh! Well, congratulations! Speaking of weddings, Mr. Gibson is getting married, too. I can't believe he's engaged to Beatrice. But honestly, they do look great together.

"No wonder he always kept his distance from women. Turns out, he's in love with her. And I heard they've known each other since they were kids."

She kept talking, but I turned and walked away. I couldn't bear to hear another word. Knowing that the man I had dated for years was about to marry someone else cut deep.

At that moment, the office door swung open. Declan walked in with Beatrice in tow.

Everyone stood as soon as they entered.

"Good morning!" Beatrice greeted brightly. She looked radiant, nothing like someone who was supposed to be dying of cancer.

Declan wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling warmly. "Let me introduce you all. This is Beatrice Porter. She'll be our new CTO."

"Welcome, Ms. Porter," came a chorus of greetings.

Everyone gave her a warm welcome, except me. I stayed exactly where I was, completely still.

Right then, Declan's gaze landed on me. His expression darkened as he snapped, "Scarlett Fletcher, did you not hear me introduce the new CTO? You can't even say hello?"

I pressed my lips together and remained silent.

Beatrice, on the other hand, smiled and extended a hand toward me.

"You must be Scarlett. Declan has told me about you," she began. "Looks like we'll be working together now. Be kind to me, okay?"

I stared at her outstretched hand and felt nothing but provocation in the gesture. I had worked for years to earn that CTO role, but the moment she joined the company, it was handed to her on a silver platter.

It felt like a slap in the face. In Declan's eyes, I had never been the one he truly favored.

Then, Beatrice leaned in close and whispered, "Oh, Scarlett. You dated Declan for years, and he never once introduced you to anyone. He never loved you. If you know what's good for you, get out of here."

Having said her piece, she pulled back. The sweet smile was still plastered on her face. It was as if we were close friends.

"Scarlett, your earrings are gorgeous," she commented, as though she had just leaned in to admire my jewelry and not to deliver a warning.

Declan tugged her back to his side, saying, "No need to be that polite to a regular employee. Those earrings are just cheap knock-offs. They're nothing worth complimenting."

With that, he wrapped an arm around Beatrice's waist again and walked off.

…

Meanwhile, I stood there with my hand suspended. I felt like a fool.

Ruth couldn't help but mutter, "Seriously? That was a bit much, even for Mr. Gibson. Even if he's trying to impress his fiancee, did he really have to say that? Doesn't he care how that makes us feel?"

I lowered my head, pulled my hand back, and tightened my grip on the resignation letter.