“How about this?” Another worker held up a rare, limited-edition Hermès bag. “This is one of the latest models.”

“Donate it,” Callie said without missing a beat.

“You’re donating this bracelet too? I’ve seen this bracelet before,” someone else asked hesitantly. “It’s worth millions. Are you sure you want to give it away?”

Callie didn’t even look. Instead, she slipped off the handmade ring Reid had crafted for her and tossed it into the donation pile. “Put everything in this box. Every item in this pile is going to donation. Got it?” she said coolly. The housekeeping staff exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring amongst themselves. However, they carefully packed up all the items as instructed, their reverence evident in the way they handled the expensive belongings.

By the time Reid returned, the cleaning service had already cleared out everything.

That night, Callie curled up on the sofa, her phone buzzing incessantly with messages.

It was from Geneva.

She was bragging about her time with Reid.

“Callie, the meteor shower was stunning tonight. Reid booked an entire venue just for us. He made a wish under the stars—he said he’ll love me forever.”

“Do you know what else he said? He said you’ll turn thirty this year and marrying you doesn’t seem worth it anymore. Honestly, I agree. What man doesn’t prefer a younger, more energetic woman? Someone who can bring new excitement into his life?”

“We even did it under the stars tonight. Reid was amazing. Tell me, has it been a while since you’ve been with him like that?”

Every word felt like a slap, leaving Callie trembling as she read.

The texts kept coming, but Callie had seen enough. She switched off her phone and hugged a pillow tightly, retreating to the guest room for the night. She suddenly felt that the bedroom she had once shared with Reid felt disgusting and refuse to sleep in it. 

***

At dawn, Callie was awakened by the sharp ring of her phone. Before she could answer it, Reid burst through the door, pulling her into his arms. His heartbeat hammering against her.

“Callie, you scared me! I thought you were gone. If I hadn’t heard your phone I would…” His voice wavered, betraying his anxiety. “Why are you sleeping in here?”

Callie pushed him away, forcing herself to stay calm and keep last night’s messages out of her mind. She gave him a faint smile. “I must’ve sleepwalked. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t find you. Where were you?”

Reid ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his expression instantly smoothing out as if he’d rehearsed his response. “There was an emergency at the office. I had to step out for a bit, but I came back as soon as I could.”

Callie nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile. She could almost admire how seamlessly he lied. His explanation was polished, like he’d rehearsed it over and over. To back up his story, he casually placed a folder next to her, making sure she could see the documents inside.

What a performance. 

Callie’s fingers grazed his cheek as she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with a mix of bitterness and resolve. “You work so hard, Reid.”

“For you, it’s worth it,” he murmured, kissing her forehead. “Callie, I finally feel like I’m in a position to give you the life you deserve. I’ve even set up a meeting with the designer. Let’s go look at wedding dresses after breakfast, okay?”

“Okay.” She nodded, playing along. If Reid wanted a show, she’d give him one. She wondered if he’d applaud her acting when the truth finally came out.

At the bridal shop, Reid asked the designer to bring out their most expensive gowns for Callie to try on. His enthusiasm seemed genuine, but every time she went to change, his phone buzzed nonstop.

By the time she walked out in the final dress, Reid didn’t even notice her. His eyes were glued to his phone, a grin plastered across his face.

That smile—Callie knew it well.

It was the same look Reid used to give her when they were deeply in love, back when she’d wear something special just for him.

Sure enough, as Callie approached, Reid quickly swiped across the screen, switching to a different interface. In the brief moment of transition, Callie caught a glimpse of Geneva’s provocative black stockings. No wonder he was so absorbed in staring at the screen.

Feigning ignorance, Callie casually asked, “Reid, what do you think? Does it look nice?”

Reid couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms, his face lighting up with a smile. “It’s beautiful. But that’s because you look amazing in everything. So, should we go with this one?”

“Perfect!” Callie replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Without hesitation, Reid swiped his card, paying in full for the five-million-dollar wedding dress, not even batting an eye.

“I think the designer should adjust it a bit more. It seems a little big big on you,” he said, a bit too smoothly.

The saleswoman, beaming with admiration, chimed in, “You have a very thoughtful husband, Miss Dodson. It does a bit big, but it's not too noticeable. I’m amazed he picked up on such a small detail.”

“He’s not my husband,” Callie corrected, her voice cool.

Reid paused for a moment, then immediately explained, “True, because I will be soon, right?” He added with a loving kiss on her cheek.

The staff in the store watched, quietly amazed.

“Wow! This couple is so cute!” one of them whispered.

“I know right?” if I had such a considerate and generous boyfriend, I’d be waking up smiling everyday.” 

Callie smiled bitterly to herself but said nothing. This was Reid—he was always the perfect boyfriend when there were eyes on him. The more people around, the more charming he seemed, as if he needed to prove he was the most loving man in the world. It was always like this in public, far more attentive than when they were alone.

Everyone knew about the famous Dodson heiress and her eight-year relationship with Reid. It was well-known enough that no one dared to set up an arranged marriage with her—except Tommy.

As they left the bridal store, Reid’s phone rang again. He glanced at it quickly and immediately hung up.

“Callie, you should head back. I’ll call a cab for you. I need to meet with a client. We have an important contract to discuss,” Reid explained.

Callie nodded obediently, but once Reid left, she immediately ordered another car to follow him.

The car parked in front of Reid’s company building, but this time, Geneva was waiting for him. Dressed in a professional skirt suit, she seemed to be all business, but Callie noticed the black stockings that barely reached mid-thigh and a black lace choker around her neck. The implications were clear without needing to be spoken. Callie rolled down the car window, just in time to overhear their conversation.

Geneva handed over a contract, her finger brushing the back of Reid’s hand as she leaned in with a playful, flirtatious tone, “Mr. Reid, I think we need to take this contract to your office and discuss it in detail.”

Reid swallowed visibly, accepting the contract without hesitation, a smile on his lips. “Of course! I’ll be waiting in my office.”

Callie followed them through the employee entrance, leading directly to Reid’s office.

His office was a private space, separated from the other departments, just the way he liked it. When Reid’s company was still starting up, all the design and decor for the office had been Callie’s work, including the intimate, secluded room where she and Reid had spent countless passionate moments.

But now, standing at the door, she saw Reid eagerly pull Geneva in for a kiss, his hands firmly gripping her back. The two of them kissed their way from the office entrance all the way into the hidden room.

They kissed their way through the office, all the way to the private room. By the time the door closed behind them, Callie’s hand holding the phone to record was trembling.

Had he forgotten? This hidden room was where it all began for them, the place where they shared their first intimate moments. It held so much significance, a promise he made to never let anyone else step foot in this space.

Yet now, Callie watched with her own eyes as he tangled with another woman inside that very room.

The pain hit her like a wave, sharp and sudden. She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to hold herself together as she stumbled away. The place in her heart that once held warmth for him was now nothing but ruins.

Her eyes were red as she fled the scene, her steps hurried and frantic. In her rush, she collided with an employee on her way out.

The employee’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing her. He quickly covered his mouth. “Miss Dodson?”

“Don’t tell Reid I was here,” Callie whispered, her voice tight.

“Okay…” The employee hesitated, then nodded.

But as soon as Callie stepped through her front door, Reid’s phone call came through. His voice was frantic, as if he were running.

“Callie, did you just come to the office?”

Callie wiped away the tears, forcing a smile. “Yeah, but I couldn’t find you. So I left. I just wanted to ask if we should go check out the wedding venue.”

Before she could finish, she heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. The door swung open and Reid barged in, pulling her into his arms. His heartbeat was fast, unsteady and Callie could feel the tension in his touch.

His first crack in his usual composure, Reid stammered, “You were looking for me just for that?”

“Mm-hmm. Your office door was closed, so I came back.”

Reid exhaled sharply, pulling her even closer as he kissed the top of her head, a desperate gesture like a man clinging to life. “I thought... I thought… nevermind. I’ll leave the venue style to you. I’ll go with whatever you chose.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat and said, “Since you leave it to me, let’s choose the most extravagant one. I want the world to see my wedding.”

“Of course,” Reid’s heartbeat slowed, his voice filled with affection. “Just let me know if you need more.”

“It’s okay. I don’t need you to pay for it,” Callie said, her words laced with an emotion Reid couldn’t quite place.

Her refusal made his thoughts spiral. In the past, Callie would always ask him to buy things for her, to surprise her with gifts. But now, why was she refusing everything he offered? It felt like she was pulling away, distant.

But she had agreed to marry him. In a few days, he was going to propose and they were about to have the kind of wedding everyone would envy. That couldn’t be wrong, could it? Callie loved him, surely she wouldn’t leave him.

He pushed the unsettling thoughts aside and dialed the finance department, instructing them to transfer ten million to Callie’s account.

“Callie, I know you can afford it yourself, but for something as important as a engagement party, I want to give you the best,” he said earnestly.

“The best,” Callie’s voice turned cold, her words sharp. “Did you ever give that ‘best’ to anyone else, Reid?”

Reid, holding her close, his tone unwavering, responded, “I’ve only ever given it to you.”

Callie let out a small, bitter laugh. “Only me?” she repeat to herself. Then what about everything with Geneva—the romantic gestures, the constant closeness, the video she sent just now? What were all those things?

“Why are you laughing?” Reid asked. Callie’s laugh got him warry. “Do you not believe me?”

“No, it’s..” she sighed, try to keep her tone relax. “I just remembered someone said something funny today. Well, since you love me so much, why don’t you throw me a birthday party tomorrow? In your office.” 

Reid instinctively tightened his hold on the phone but eventually agreed. “Okay.”

The next morning, Callie woke up, but Reid’s side of the bed was already empty.