Vanessa shot Cindy a mocking smile.

In her head, Cindy was just another pretty girl who could probably do better if she put her energy into, you know, actual work instead of drama. But hey, if you didn't respect yourself, who else would?

Cindy caught the look and turned red with fury. Out of nowhere, she clutched her stomach and leaned against the doorframe, her voice all weak and shaky. "S-Scott, my stomach... it hurts..."

Scott turned at once, panic flashing across his face. Without hesitation, he jumped up and rushed straight to her, leaving Vanessa behind.

Vanessa just sat there watching as Scott scooped Cindy up and bolted to find a doctor. Cindy, despite looking like she was about to pass out, somehow found the energy to smirk at Vanessa like she'd just won.

Vanessa sighed, motioning for a nurse to come over and remove her IV. The rest of the meds? Yeah, not worth it. She wasn't sticking around for this circus.

As she stepped out of the hospital, her phone buzzed. Cindy, of course.

[Did you see that? Your boyfriend was freaking out over me. He's so scared for our baby. Face it, Vanessa—you're nothing to him.]

Attached was a picture of Scott, mid-freakout, grilling a doctor like the perfect concerned dad-to-be.

Vanessa didn't bother replying. She slid her phone back into her bag and walked away, alone.

***

Back home, Vanessa hadn't even settled in before Scott showed up, all frantic energy. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home? Done with the IV already? Are you still in pain?"

His concern? Fake.

It was disgusting.

Seven years. What had she even gotten out of it?

"I'm fine," she said. "Why would I need to let you know? You're so busy—always PERSONALLY taking care of things at work. Gotta look out for your employees, right?"

The sarcasm wasn't lost on him. Scott reached for her hand. "I was just worried, okay? She's pregnant and all alone. If something happened—"

"Totally." Vanessa nodded. "Pregnant and abandoned—that's rough. But I wonder... does the guy even know she's pregnant? Or was he just in it for the thrill? Men like that? They don't deserve to breathe. Karma's coming for them."

Scott froze, his forced smile barely holding up.

"Yeah... uh... let's not talk about her. I'm just glad you're okay. Don't go back to work for a few days. Our anniversary's coming up—how about we go out tomorrow? Spend some time together?"

Vanessa tilted her head, her voice honeyed with mock curiosity. "Aren't you worried about leaving her? You're really just... letting her handle everything herself?"

"She's got nothing to do with me. Why would I stick around her? You're my girlfriend—you're the one that matters."

Vanessa almost laughed out loud. If only Cindy could hear him right now. The king of liars, putting on a show.

That night, Scott actually stayed home—first time in forever. Vanessa didn't bother talking to him, using the classic "not feeling great" excuse to escape to bed early.

But Scott? He wasn't done. Keeping his phone close like a lifeline, he slipped out of bed once he thought she was asleep.

Vanessa got up quietly, padding to the door and listening through the crack.

"Be good," Scott murmured, his voice low and sweet. "I'll make it up to you, okay? That ring from Lora's you've been eyeing? I'll grab it. Just rest—you've had a rough day. I'll send someone to bring those pastries from Bellamy's in the morning."

Vanessa stifled a bitter laugh.

Seven years. Seven wasted years on this man.

What a joke.

***

The next morning, Vanessa sat at the table, barely touching her breakfast.

Scott noticed, his voice dripping with fake concern. "Not your thing? Just say the word, and I'll have them make whatever you want."

Vanessa looked up, locking eyes with him. "I want those pastries from Bellamy's."

Scott froze, his face doing that quick panic-flash before he plastered on a strained smile. "But... you've never liked their stuff."

"Switching it up isn't a bad thing," Vanessa said, stirring her coffee. "Keeps life interesting. Relationships too—spend too long together, and it's easy for things to feel stale."

Scott reached across the table, gently taking her hand. His voice softened. "Babe, are you feeling stressed? Or... maybe someone's been saying things to you?"

His grip tightened, just a little. "Look, other people's relationships might fall apart, but not us. What we have? It's different. We worked hard for this, and every day with you still feels fresh.

"Vanessa, don't overthink it. I'm not like those guys. I'm different."

His earnest act didn't land—it just made the bitterness in Vanessa's heart grow sharper. She slipped her hand away and gave him a faint smile.

"Let's eat. Didn't you say we were going out today?"

"Yeah, let's go."

***

Vanessa and Scott spent the morning wandering a high-end mall, with Scott keeping close and Vanessa playing her part. When they passed Lora's, the iconic luxury jewelry store, she slowed down, eyeing the display.

"Let's check it out," she said casually. "I heard they just dropped some new designs."

Scott nodded quickly. "Sure."

Inside, Vanessa's gaze went straight to a diamond ring in the center of the case. It had to be the one Cindy wanted.

Scott slid an arm around her waist, leaning in. "See anything you like?"

Without hesitation, Vanessa pointed at the ring. "I want that one."

For a split second, Scott froze. Then he smoothed it over with a too-casual laugh. "I don't think that's really your style. How about this necklace instead?"

"I don't want the necklace. I want the ring."

Vanessa's tone was firm. She was deliberately pushing, just to see how far he'd go.

Scott's face twitched. He struggled to keep his composure—he'd promised Cindy that ring less than 24 hours ago.

"What's wrong?" Vanessa asked, teasing. "Don't want to buy it for me?"

Scott forced a laugh. "Of course not! If I'm not buying it for you, who else would it be for?"

He waved at the sales associate to take the ring out, but then, as if struck by a sudden thought, turned to Vanessa. "Babe, I'm feeling kind of thirsty. Could you grab me a drink?"

"Sure."

Vanessa knew exactly what he was trying to do, but she played along.

When she returned with a juice, Scott greeted her with a look that screamed guilty.

"Sorry, babe. The sales associate accidentally dropped the ring, and it broke. How about we pick something else?"

Vanessa's grip on the cup tightened until her knuckles went white, but her face stayed calm. She smiled faintly. "No problem. It's fine."

In the end, she picked a necklace instead. By the time they got home, she used the first excuse she could think of about being tired and went straight inside. Scott didn't even stick around, leaving almost immediately.

Not long after, her phone buzzed. A message from Cindy.

Attached: A photo of her wearing the diamond ring.

[Vanessa, this ring is mine. He lied to you just to keep me happy. You're pathetic.]

Another message popped up seconds later:

[Oh, and I heard he got you a necklace? That ugly thing? Yeah, I rejected it. Even a dog wouldn't wear it.]

Vanessa's hand clenched around the phone as she stared at the messages. Her reply was cool, sharp.

[Trying to prove you're important through me? Cute, but it won't work. If you really want to win, get Scott to leave me and marry you. What's wrong? He won't? Looks like you're the pathetic one.]

The reply came fast.

[You shameless woman! What are you even smug about? He WILL leave you! I'm carrying his child. Do you really think you stand a chance?]

Vanessa could almost feel Cindy's rage bleeding through the screen. It only made her smirk. Tossing her phone onto the couch, she headed to the study.

The anniversary gift she was putting together for Scott kept growing—a box packed tight with screenshots.

On the morning of their eighth anniversary, Scott had planned a romantic day on a cruise, down to every last detail.

When Vanessa woke up, he leaned in and kissed her forehead softly. "Happy anniversary, babe."

The bed was scattered with rose petals, and pastel-colored balloons floated around the room.

Vanessa sat up, her face calm as Scott smiled at her, full of tenderness. "Let's get ready for the cruise. You're going to love it. There's a fireworks show tonight, and I'll even catch some fresh fish for you. You always love it when I cook what I catch, right?"

She didn't respond. Tonight, she'd be boarding a plane—leaving him, their life, and their lies behind for good. After this, they'd have nothing tying them together.

Just as they stepped out of the villa, Scott's phone buzzed.

Vanessa watched as he glanced at the screen, his Adam's apple shifting—an unmistakable sign of suppressed desire.

He shoved the phone back into his pocket, guilt flickering across his face. "Something urgent came up at the office. I need to handle it. Could you go to the cruise without me? I'll catch up as soon as I can."

Vanessa's voice was soft, her face unreadable. "Okay."

Relieved, Scott grinned. "Good girl. I won't be long!"

She nodded, even as a strange heaviness settled in her heart. This was likely the last time they'd ever see each other.

As Scott hurried toward his car, Vanessa called out, her voice quiet. "Scott."

He stopped, turning back with a puzzled look. "What is it?"

"Nothing. Goodbye."

She had planned to give him a proper farewell. But, like always, something came up and ruined it.

Her last word to him was "goodbye."

Scott hesitated. He sensed something off in her tone. But after a moment, he slid into the sleek black Maybach and drove off.

Vanessa stood there, watching the car disappear down the road. Lowering her eyes, she whispered, "Scott... this is the last time you'll see me. From now on, take care of yourself."

With that, she turned around and walked back inside the villa.

Locking herself in the study, Vanessa settled at the desk. Right on cue, her phone buzzed again.

It was Cindy.

[Happy eighth anniversary. Surprised? Your boyfriend spent this special day in my bed. Vanessa, what do you even have to fight me with?]

Vanessa stared at the screen and smirked. She typed a quick reply.

[Since you love trash so much, I'll let you have him. Enjoy treating garbage like treasure.]

With that, she snapped a screenshot and blocked Cindy.

The screenshot joined the stack of evidence already packed into the box sitting on the desk—a perfectly curated farewell gift for Scott.

With only hours left in this house, Vanessa decided to visit the hospital to say goodbye to a few close colleagues. Before leaving, she called for a housemaid.

"I've left a gift for Scott in the study. Make sure he gets it."

Then, with no glance back, she walked out of the villa that had been her home for five years.

Standing at the doorway, she paused, taking one last look at the place that held so many memories.

She could still picture the day Scott first brought her here, back when it was just an empty shell. They'd laughed, dreaming about their future, and cried in each other's arms, overwhelmed by the joy of finally having a home to call their own.

All those bittersweet moments, those highs and lows—they lived in these walls, known only to Vanessa.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward. Without looking back, she walked away.

***

That afternoon, Vanessa met with her colleagues. They laughed, swapped stories, and wished her the best for the road ahead.

Throughout it all, Scott never called.

He was probably still in Cindy's bed.

On the way to the airport, Vanessa pulled her SIM card from her phone without a second thought and flicked it out the car window.

For eight years, she'd been the one holding that relationship together. Now, she was the one letting it go.

***

At the same time, Scott was spiraling into panic.

Vanessa's phone was off. Every call went straight to voicemail. He tried again and again, growing more frustrated by the second.

Desperate, he called the cruise organizer, only to be told Vanessa hadn't shown up at all.

Vanessa hadn't gone to the cruise? That didn't add up. He'd told her to wait for him there. Was she mad at him? Or... was it something else?

Unease churned in his heart as he kept dialing her number, instructing his driver to head straight home.

When Scott rushed into the house, Vanessa was gone.

The maid informed him that Vanessa had left around noon and told them to pass on a message: there was an anniversary gift waiting for him in the study.

Scott hurried to the second-floor study, his eyes immediately landing on a neatly wrapped gift box sitting on the desk.

Relief washed over him, and he exhaled, even cracking a small smile. So, Vanessa had been planning a surprise all along.

He approached the box slowly, curiosity sparking in his heart. What had she prepared for their anniversary?

Without a second thought, he untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.