Chapter 1

My boyfriend was hopeless at love.

When my period pain got so bad I passed out, he brought me a glass of ice water.

On our anniversary, I sat up with the surprise I'd prepared, waiting until deep into the night, and all he said was that there was no need for any of it.

Even at our engagement party, one offhand comment from a friend of his was enough to put the engagement dress on someone else.

I always told myself it was just the way he was.

Until the party ended and he took a phone call.

Landon Simmons glanced at me, flat, made an excuse about something urgent, and got out of the car.

"Landon, isn't today the day you got engaged?"

"I'm up on the rooftop right now. Will you come find me?"

In the quiet of the car, a woman's crying suddenly came through.

My chest went tight. Landon had forgotten to disconnect the Bluetooth.

This time I didn't stop him. I watched him run toward someone else.

If you're this busy, then let someone else take my place at the wedding the day after tomorrow too.

【If the promise still stands, we get married the day after tomorrow.】

1

The reply came fast.

【Once I've dealt with this, I'll come marry you and bring you home.】

The next second, Landon, gone for ten minutes, came back and settled into the car.

Then my eyes landed on the kiss mark on the side of his neck.

"I won't be coming home tonight. The guys threw a bachelor party for me."

When I didn't say anything, Landon leaned over to pat my head.

I moved out of the way without making it obvious.

"Are you upset? I'll be a married man soon, won't I? Everyone said we should get together one more time."

"I promise I'll come straight home the moment it's over."

Listening to him soothe me, something in my chest ached.

That voice on the Bluetooth just now, Carla asking Landon to come keep her company.

If I hadn't heard it, I'd probably still be the fool, kept in the dark and coaxed along.

I said nothing, and Landon took my silence for agreement.

He let out a soft laugh, drove me to my door, and said gently:

"Get some good rest at home. I'm going now."

I turned away without answering. Behind me, the engine started.

The car pulled off.

After my shower, I came across Carla's post on my social media feed.

【It feels so good to have someone care about you.】

The photo was a cup of warm ginger tea, with Landon busy in the background of the kitchen.

I have a cold constitution, so my periods leave me in so much pain I can barely walk. That's normal for me.

Landon always said he didn't understand any of it, which was why he'd never once made me warm ginger tea.

But at some point later, he actually made me a cup of it.

Back then I thought he'd finally figured it out, and I was quietly pleased with myself.

Now I saw it for what it was. I'd only benefited from Carla.

The thought made me laugh, if only from the sheer humiliation of it.

Carla Harding, Landon's junior.

She was always using the excuse that they came from the same program to demand Landon put her first.

And whenever Landon and I had a moment alone, she'd force her way in to chat.

But with me, she was always so upfront about it.

Generous with her congratulations when Landon and I made things official.

Sweet-mouthed too, calling me "sis," chatting with me, teasing Landon along with me.

It wasn't until tonight's Bluetooth that I finally saw it clearly.

Back home, beside the shoe cabinet sat an umbrella that had been out in the rain, with a little note stuck to it.

【Thank you for walking me home and giving me your umbrella. Love you!】

The time on it was the very day of the heavy rain, when I had no umbrella and called Landon to come get me.

He turned me down, saying he was too busy, and in the end just booked me a car and ordered me some warm ginger tea.

Now it hit me. His busy meant he'd gone to pick up Carla.

The disappointment pressed down low inside me until I couldn't breathe.

I put the note back where it was and went upstairs to pack.

Since his heart wasn't with me, it was time I left.