The day my father dies, my boyfriend, Heath Summers, is accompanying his true love for her prenatal checkup.

I lose hope in him and ask for a breakup, but he thinks I'm just being jealous. He says, "Naomi's already miscarried thrice—it hasn't been easy for her to conceive this child. Stop being unreasonable."

I've been with him for seven years, but it turns out I can't compare to his childhood sweetheart.

My father had suddenly suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the emergency room. I anxiously waited outside the operating room and trembled as I called my fiancé, Heath Summers.

I was hoping he would come to the hospital and stay with me. But before I could even speak, Heath interrupted me.

"Naomi, you finally decided to call me. Don't take what I said to heart. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, will you?" On the other end of the line, Heath kept repeating Naomi Wright's name over and over.

I felt like the blood in my veins had frozen.

In the past, whenever Heath and I argued or gave each other the silent treatment, he never apologized—it was always me swallowing my pride to make amends.

I had thought his refusal to apologize was simply a matter of pride, a stubbornness he could never overcome. It turned out that he was only prideful when he was dealing with me.

I had no time to dwell on the hurt or to think about our relationship. My mind was consumed by the image of my father in the operating room.

It wasn't until 8:00 am the next day that the red light above the operating room door finally went off. I rushed forward with trembling legs as I asked, "Doctor, how's my father?"

The doctor cut me off apologetically. "I'm sorry. We did everything we could."

I immediately collapsed to the floor. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I grew up in a single-parent household. My father had raised me alone, and he had poured his heart and soul into making sure I had everything I needed.

Just as I'd started working and was finally in a position to care for him, life had taken him away from me.

As I stumbled downstairs in a daze, I turned a corner and saw Heath standing there. For a moment, my aching heart felt like it had found a place of solace and a place to heal.

Just as I was about to rush over and hug him, to let myself cry in his arms, I saw a slender hand looped around his arm. He was leaning down and whispering softly into Naomi's ear.

Seeing this, I felt a surprising calm wash over me. I walked over mechanically and asked Heath, "You abandoned me so you could be with her?"

Heath's work kept him busy with constant overtime and late nights. Unless it was something urgent, I rarely dared to call him.

However, today was Monday. It was a regular workday, and here he was accompanying Naomi to see a doctor. Heath frowned at my words. It was like he thought I was being petty over nothing.

"Naomi has had three miscarriages. She's finally pregnant, and I'm here with her for her prenatal checkup. Stop making a scene."

His words were full of concern for Naomi. There was no regard for why I might have been at the hospital in the first place.

I laughed bitterly. "Well, is she carrying your child?"

"Of course not." Heath's frown deepened. "The baby is obviously her husband's."

My eyes filled with tears as I pressed him further, "So, is her husband dead? If it's not your child, why are you so eager to accompany her to a prenatal appointment?"

"Penelope Camden, have you had enough?" Heath snapped. "Naomi's husband is away on a business trip. This child is precious, and I happened to upset Naomi recently, so I'm just here to make amends."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. "Did it ever occur to you to ask why I'm at the hospital?"

It was as if the thought had just struck him. Heath then asked, "Is your father's heart acting up again?"

I let out a cold laugh. His concern came far too late. So this was what I meant to him—the fiancée who had stood by his side for seven years was less important than Naomi, a woman who was already someone else's wife.

"The engagement is off. Let's break up." I threw the words over my shoulder as I turned and walked away.

Naomi asked Heath hesitantly, "I shouldn't have asked you to come with me, should I?"

Heath shook his head. "It's not your fault. She's just throwing a tantrum. She'll calm down in a couple of days."

Then, he called his secretary, Grant Wells. "Get me in touch with the best cardiologist in Sunderville."

I had arranged my father's funeral without inviting anyone from Heath's side. After the funeral, I threw myself back into work without missing a beat.

Life as a working professional left me with no room for grief. No matter how much pain I felt, I had to keep going and get my job done.

Still in my mourning clothes, I had just reached my desk when my boss, Castiel Sartori, handed me a stack of documents.

"This is a collaboration project with Summers Corp. There's no room for mistakes. Do a good job, and the manager position will be within reach."

"Understood," I responded as I took the documents. This particular project was a partnership with Heath's company to develop Hunsberg.

The land at Hunsberg was worth billions. It seemed Castiel wasn't just making empty promises. If my team could complete this project successfully, I really could be looking at a promotion and a raise.

Upon noticing my all-black attire, Castiel uncharacteristically asked a personal question. "Did someone in your family pass away?"

My chest tightened. "My father passed away a week ago."

"My condolences," he said.

Perhaps because he felt sorry for me, Castiel offered some advice. "You're engaged to Heath Summers, right? With this project in your hands, your relationship with him should ensure it goes smoothly."

Ah, so that's why such a significant project was given to me. It wasn't because of my three years of hard work and dedication to the company but because of my connection to Heath.

Unfortunately for them, they'd miscalculated. I replied indifferently, "Heath and I broke up. If you're giving me this project because of our relationship, I suggest you reassign it to another team."

"Broke up? Well, that's fine too. There are plenty of fish in the sea. As for the project, I still trust you to handle it."

I was a bit surprised by his response. For the first time in a while, I felt a glimmer of warmth in my battered heart.

At the end of the workday, Castiel said to me, "We're heading in the same direction. Let me give you a ride home so you don't have to squeeze into the subway."

He stood a little too close, and I could feel the warmth radiating from him. I was just about to decline when Heath's voice rang out. "What are you doing standing so close to each other? Penelope, don't forget that you have a fiancé."

I looked up at Heath and replied coldly, "We're not engaged anymore. You have no say in anything that I do."

How ridiculous. Where did Heath get the right to make such a statement? He and Naomi were practically inseparable, and I wasn't even allowed to question it as any attempt would be reduced to me being unreasonable.

But now, Heath suddenly couldn't tolerate it when I was merely standing close to Castiel. Perhaps he used to have a say in such matters, but not anymore. After all, he was no longer my fiancé.

Heath grabbed my arm and pulled me to his side. "Mr. Sartori, this is my fiancée. Keep your distance from her."

Castiel smirked faintly. "But Penelope told me you guys have already broken off the engagement and had split up."

"I didn't agree to it," Heath replied casually. "She's just throwing a tantrum. It was nothing more than angry words."

I was trembling with rage as I shoved Heath aside and declared firmly, "Heath, listen carefully. I want to break up with you. This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision or an emotional outburst. I mean it.

"Whether you agree or not, we're over."

Heath rubbed his temples, and there was a faint smile flickering in his eyes. "Are you jealous because of Naomi?"

Looking at his mocking expression, I felt nothing but disgust and nausea. Even now, he thought I was breaking up with him to pressure him into cutting ties with Naomi.

In reality, it was his absence during my father's illness and passing that left me utterly disappointed—so much so that I no longer had any hope in him.

"From now on, let's keep our interactions strictly professional," I said decisively. "We have nothing to do with each other anymore. I won't concern myself with your life, and anything about you is irrelevant to me."

Heath waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. I'll compromise. I won't meet with Naomi privately anymore."

It seemed he still didn't get it.

"What does that have to do with me?" I snapped, and I could feel my hands trembling with anger. "You and Naomi can do whatever you want—be friends, meet up, I don't care."

I took a deep breath to steady my voice for the last time. "I'll say this once more. Heath Summers, we're over."

The smile vanished from Heath's face as he stared at me intently. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," I replied as my body trembled uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Castiel gently took my hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I'm here."

Those words made me feel a little better, and I gradually stopped trembling. In my current state, I doubted I could make it home on the subway.

I turned to Castiel and pleaded, "Mr. Sartori, could you please take me home?"

Heath's voice turned icy as he said from behind me, "Penelope, if you leave with Castiel today, I'll have Grant cancel the top cardiologist's appointment for your father immediately."

How absurd. Did he think threatening me with that would work? My father had already passed away a week ago.

My team and I worked for an entire month before finally submitting our proposal. During the meeting, Castiel had openly praised our work. "This proposal is thorough, meticulous, and highly forward-thinking."

However, when the proposal was handed over to Heath's side, he found endless faults with it. "This proposal needs further discussion. Have your team lead come to our office."

Even so, I knew his nitpicking was clearly intentional. Castiel had volunteered to accompany me, and I gave him a grateful look.

Yet when we arrived at Heath's company and he saw Castiel with me, his brow furrowed deeply. "I specifically asked for Penelope to come alone. Mr. Sartori, why are you here?"

"I didn't feel comfortable letting Penelope come by herself," Castiel replied with a gentle smile. "I have more experience. If there's anything to discuss, feel free to direct your questions to me."

Heath let out a derisive laugh. "If you don't trust Penelope, why assign her the proposal in the first place? I only want to discuss this with Penelope. If you want to continue collaborating, Mr. Sartori, I suggest you leave."

Castiel hesitated, but I tugged lightly on his sleeve and shook my head. I was signaling that he should go. I could handle this on my own.

Castiel glanced at me. He simply patted my shoulder, and said, "If he gives you a hard time, call me anytime."

I nodded. "I will."

After Castiel left the office, Heath grabbed me roughly and tilted my chin up. "What did he say to you?"

"Nothing." I coldly pushed his hand away. "We're just collaboration partners now, Mr. Summers. I'd appreciate it if you showed me some respect."

Heath's gaze darkened. "So, did you break up with me because of him?"

I couldn't believe Heath's audacity. How could I have ever been so blind as to fall for someone like him?

"This doesn't seem relevant to our work," I replied calmly. "I'm here to discuss the collaboration. I have no interest in personal matters unrelated to work."

Heath tugged at his tie in frustration. "You didn't use to be like this, Penelope."

He was right. I hadn't. I used to be completely devoted to him.

When his stomach hurt, I would take a day off just to cook him meals and massage his stomach. When he chatted with Naomi, I would seethe with jealousy and give him the silent treatment, only to eventually apologize and make amends.

However, those days were long gone.

"Mr. Summers, as you said, that was in the past. What's in the past is over. I'm not going to keep being a lovestruck fool for you to mistreat."

Heath let out a bitter laugh. "When did I ever mistreat you? I bought you a house. When I heard your father's heart was acting up, I immediately brought in the best cardiologist for him.

"Have I not treated you well? Penelope, do you even have a heart?"

Who was the truly heartless one here? I couldn't believe Heath was so shameless as to say such things to me.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. "If you're not planning to discuss work, Mr. Summers, then I'll take my leave."

Heath then lit a cigarette. He exhaled slowly as he said, "If you don't agree to get back together, I won't approve your proposal."