“Callie, I’ve got something urgent to deal with,” he stammered, attempting to mask his unease. “Let me send you home first. Once I’m done, I’ll—”

“It’s fine. Go,” Callie interrupted him coldly, unwilling to drag the charade any further.

Her tone sent a wave of panic surging through Reid. He hesitated, his feet rooted to the ground as though the mere act of leaving her would sever something irreparable. For a brief moment, he considered staying, putting off the pressing matter until after her birthday.

But his phone buzzed again and when he glanced at the caller ID, his resolve cracked. Without a word, he turned and dashed out of the office.

Moments later, Callie saw his car speed away like a shot arrow, vanishing into the distance. She sighed, the faint hope she had harbored dissipating entirely.

Her phone chimed, pulling her attention. It was a message from Geneva—a photo of a prenatal check-up report. Geneva was pregnant. Eight weeks. Reid was going to be a father, but not to her child.

Callie stared at the screen, her lips curling into a bitter smile. Unknowingly, tears streamed down her cheeks, but a hollow laugh escaped her lips instead. The people around her exchanged confused glances and one of them cautiously asked, “Callie, are you okay?”

Before she could answer, a strange tightness gripped her throat. She gasped for air, clawing at her neck as the world spun around her. She collapsed to the ground, her coworkers rushing to her side. In her blurred vision, she noticed the smashed remains of her birthday cake—speckled with peanut crumbs.

Reid had actually forgotten that she was allergic to peanuts.

Geneva had once posted that she loved peanuts. Since then, Reid spent hours peeling peanuts for her, ignoring the blisters forming on his hands to make her favorite peanut cake. Geneva had even posted about it online, calling him ‘the sweetest man in the world.’

Callie felt the cruel irony settle in her chest. This love had died long ago—she had just been too blind to see it.

When Callie regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. Her body felt weak and her head throbbed. As her eyes adjusted to the harsh light, she saw Reid sitting by her side. His eyes were bloodshot and his hands trembled as they clutched hers tightly.

“Callie,” he rasped, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I forgot about your allergy. It’s my fault…” 

Callie moved her finger, trying pulled her hands out of him 

Reid noticed the motion and immediately leaned forward, pulling her into an embrace. His whole body trembling. “Thank God you’re okay. I was so scared. Please don’t be mad at me. I’ll make it right, I swear,” he whispered in her ears. 

With the last ounce of strength she could muster, Callie pushed him away, tears slipping down her face. She turned her head, refusing to look at him. Her grief wasn’t because he forgot about her allergy, that he had stopped caring, but it was because she finally understood that the eight years she had poured her heart into were wasted.

Reid adjusted her blanket and busied himself slicing an apple, trying to salvage the moment. “You haven’t eaten anything since last night, because you’re unconscious. Your body need food. Here, have a piece,” he said, holding it to her lips. “I’ll cook something better when we get home, okay?”

Callie said nothing, her eyes closing as though to block him out. She wasn’t sure when, but eventually, she drifted off into a fitful sleep.

When she woke up again, there was a thermos on the bedside table, with a sticky note stuck to it.

The nurse entered to check her IV and started chatting cheerfully. “You have a very thoughtful boyfriend, Miss Dodson. He stayed all night long taking care of you. He made you soup over and over so that you would have fresh ones waiting when you woke up.”

Callie forced a smile but couldn’t bring herself to respond.

The nurse continued, her tone shifting to excitement. “Oh and I heard there’s one too in the maternity ward upstairs. He cooked noodles for his pregnant wife, bathed her, helped her change and even washed her undergarments. I mean, that level of attentiveness is almost too much!”

Callie let out a sardonic laugh. “Very considerate of him. He’s about to become a father. That’s how he supposed to act.”

She knew the man the nurse was talking about was Reid. Not long after the conversation end, her phone buzzed from message from Geneva. She couldn’t wait to gloat. Geneva had sent videos of Reid washing her underwear and photos of him pressing his ear against her belly with a delighted smile, listening for any signs of movement. Geneva had even attached a slew of Reid’s blissful expressions from every angle, as if determined to send Callie a hundred snapshots of his happiness.

Reid had told her that when the baby was born, he wanted to name it “Reva,” to signify his devotion to Geneva. This, he said, was the embodiment of their love.

The embodiment of their love? Callie thought bitterly. Reid had a big heart and so much love to give to the point where he could share it to more than one person at the same time.

But she couldn’t do it. Her heart was small, able to hold only one person. She wasn’t the type of woman who could share her partner with someone else.

That evening, Reid didn’t return. Geneva had kept him by her side and Reid, true to form, sent another excuse through a message.

Callie didn’t care. The doctor had told her she could be discharged the next day. Perfect timing—she wouldn’t miss the wedding.

Later that night, Tommy somehow found out about her allergic reaction and sent over a bouquet of flowers. He even hired a private chef to prepare a meal to soothe her stomach. Tommy stayed for a while, urging Callie to eat before he left. 

Moved by this gesture, Callie sent him a text, “Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say apart from that words.

Tommy quickly replied, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll take a cab.”

After that, Tommy didn’t send any more messages.

Callie spent the night tossing and turning, her thoughts a jumbled mess. She couldn’t understand Tommy’s motives. For a marriage built on mutual benefit, he didn’t need to go out of his way like this. Eventually, her mind grew tired of overthinking and she drifted off into a dreamless sleep—peaceful for the first time in ages.

The next morning, Reid finally appeared. His hair was disheveled and he wore the same clothes as the day before. He must have stayed by Geneva’s side all night without even going home. But Callie no longer cared. Soon, they would be strangers, each walking their separate paths with no more ties to bind them.

Reid’s gaze landed on the flower bouquet and his expression darkened. “Who sent this?”

Callie calmly packed her belongings, not even bothering to look up. “A friend.”

Reid grabbed her arm, his frustration evident. “Last time, you said the pink roses were from a friend. Now it’s this bouquet? Who is this friend who keeps sending you flowers, Callie? Are you hiding something from me? You’ve been acting distant lately, like you’re upset with me. Did I do something wrong?”

His eyes were red with desperation. He seemed genuinely anxious, as though some unseen force had taken root inside him, growing uncontrollably. Even the slightest hint of trouble now sent him spiraling.

A cold laugh escaped Callie’s lips. “Why are you so nervous, Reid? It’s just a bouquet of flowers. If I were to marry someone else, would you go mad?”

Her words made Reid’s heart skip a beat.

“If you really married someone else, I would go insane. Callie, promise me—never abandon me in this lifetime.”

Callie grabbed his crumpled shirt, her eyes lingering on the faint lipstick stain. Her voice was calm, devoid of warmth.

“Reid, as long as you don’t betray me or leave me, I won’t walk away. But if you ever lie to me, I won’t hesitate to turn my back. I told you this a long time ago.”

Reid clenched his fingers and tightly embraced Callie in his arms. While she wasn't looking, he slipped the ring that he hadn't had time to give her on her birthday onto her ring finger.

“Don’t say that. I promise we’ll never be apart. You’re the only deserve to be my wife!” His voice was filled with an earnestness that once would have melted her heart.

But just as he seemed sincere, the buzz of his phone broke the moment. Reid glanced at the screen and his expression changed. Geneva had messaged him.

“Callie,” he started, hesitating, “can you wait for me? Something’s come up at the office…”

Callie let out a hollow laugh, one that held no humor. She hadn’t expected Reid to change—not really. She had long since stopped hoping for honesty. She cut him off, her tone sharp. “It’s fine. Go. Work is important.”

“I’ll be back soon, I promise!” Reid said hurriedly, already halfway out the door.

Callie watched him disappear into the corridor, his pace brisk and determined. Yet instead of heading toward the exit, which led to his car, he veered left—toward the stairs leading to the maternity ward.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. Reid didn’t even bother hiding his lies anymore. Three years. Three years of enduring his betrayals, knowing he had already built a life with Geneva in another home. And today, despite knowing Callie was being discharged, he chose Geneva again.

“Reid, you’ve left me behind too many times. Don’t blame me for leaving this time,” she muttered under her breath.

Taking out her phone, Callie composed a message to Geneva:

“You were right. Reid does love you. He always has. We should have ended this a long time ago. I’m stepping aside. He prepared an engagement party for tomorrow. It’s yours. The ring and wedding dress are meant for you.”

With smile of triumph she wrote a reply: “I told you Reid would choose me. You’ve always been the third wheel in this relationship. I’m just being nice, giving you all the heads-up.”

To hammer the point home, Geneva posted a series of pictures on social media—of Reid carrying her, of their cozy moments together in his other home. In one, Reid kissed Geneva’s forehead, his smile soft and affectionate as he said, “We’re home, darling.”

Callie stared at the screen, her chest tightening. But instead of letting the pain consume her, she tapped on her phone, selecting all the photos and videos she had secretly gathered over the years. Evidence of their affair, of Reid’s lies. She scheduled them to be sent tomorrow—during the proposal.

By the time Reid stood before his guests, ready to pledge his love, the world would know the truth.

Satisfied, she put her phone away just as Tommy arrived. He grabbed her luggage effortlessly and draped a warm coat over her shoulders.

“Put this on. It’s cold outside,” he said, his tone steady but filled with unspoken care.

Callie glanced once more at the staircase where Reid had disappeared, then squared her shoulders. It was over.

“Tommy, let’s go get our marriage certificate. Today.”

Tommy froze for a moment, processing her words, then nodded firmly. “Okay.”

They went straight to the city hall. As Callie held the red marriage certificate in her hands, a wave of relief washed over her. For the first time in years, she felt free.

“Reid, we’re finally done,” she muttered to herself.

***

The next morning, Callie dressed in an exquisite traditional wedding gown. Her calm demeanor was in stark contrast to the storm brewing in her heart.

On the other side of town, Reid, oblivious to what lay ahead, had just emerged from a night of passion with Geneva. He adjusted his crisp suit, excitement brimming in his eyes as he anticipated the perfect proposal he had planned for Callie.

Geneva, still basking in the afterglow, leaned against his back, her breath warm against his neck. “Reid, do you love me?”

Reid placed a tender kiss on her cheek, his voice gentle yet decisive. “I love you, Geneva. But I’ve got something to take care of now. I’ll have a surprise for you later.”

Blushing, Geneva nodded shyly, her voice soft with affection. “I know. I’ll wait for you.”

On the way to the proposal venue, Reid’s car was forced to slow down as he encountered an elaborate wedding procession. The line of luxury cars stretched endlessly, gleaming under the morning sun like a parade of wealth and grandeur.

Reid turned his gaze away from the crowd, his chest tightening with an unshakable unease. But he quickly pushed the feeling aside. Soon, Callie would be his bride and everything would fall into place. The thought brought a slight curve to his lips as he stepped forward.  

In the center of the stage stood a woman in a wedding gown, her slender figure facing away from him. Reid’s voice softened with affection as he called out, “Honey, I’m here. Will you marry me?”  

The woman slowly turned around and in that moment, the bouquet Reid held slipped from his hands and crashed to the floor.  

“Why is it you?!”   It wasn’t Callie. To his shock and disbelief, the woman in the wedding dress was Geneva.