Chapter 5

The smile on Ethan's face vanished instantly.

"Riley, are you seriously doing this right now?"

"It's just a ring. Do you really have to throw a tantrum and bring up breaking up?"

"Yes," I said.

Beside him, Natalie suddenly burst into tears.

"Riley, please don't fight with Ethan. This is all my fault. You two have been together for ten years and were about to get married. You shouldn't break up over something so trivial..."

"If you're really that angry, I'll apologize."

"I'm so—"

Before she could finish, Ethan pulled her into his arms.

"Why are you apologizing to her?"

"You've spoiled her too much over the years."

He glared at me, his brow furrowed in anger.

"Riley, if you keep acting this childish, it only proves to me that you're too immature for marriage."

"Then we won't get married," I said coldly.

"Ethan, the engagement is off."

"We are done."

With that, I turned around and walked out of the apartment.

Behind me, one of Ethan's friends tried to nudge him.

"Dude, are you really not going after her?"

"Aren't you worried she's actually serious about breaking up this time?"

Ethan scoffed.

"She's been with me since she was eighteen. She's threatened to break up a hundred times."

"Has she ever actually walked away?"

"Don't worry. In a few days, I'll send her a couple of texts, and she'll come crawling back like she always does."

I walked out of the building and stood by the curb. I took a deep breath, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall.

Just as I calmed myself down, my phone rang.

It was my boss, Chloe.

"Riley, there's an opening for a Managing Director position at our branch in Paris, France."

"The board just finished their evaluations, and they think you're the perfect fit. Would you be interested?"

I gripped my phone tightly.

The image of Ethan proposing to Natalie flashed through my mind, making my chest ache.

I didn't hesitate.

"Yes, Chloe. I'll take it."