Chapter 1

My fiancé’s first love posted an Instagram Story saying she needed to get married right away. Without a second thought, my fiancé threw on his tailored wedding tuxedo and rushed out the door to find her.

Before leaving, he pleaded with me, his voice hurried:

"Maya, don't get the wrong idea. Elena’s family is breathing down her neck. I’m just going to sign the marriage certificate at City Hall to get her parents off her back. Don't overthink this."

"People back in her small town love to gossip. I'm just helping her save face."

Instead of crying or begging, I dialed Elena’s number directly. Smiling, I said:

"Meet us at City Hall. Let's make it official."

I drove Ryan straight to City Hall, arriving before she did.

Ryan stared at me in complete disbelief, his lips trembling slightly.

"Maya, please don't misunderstand. I'm literally just doing this to help Elena deal with her parents. Don't take it to heart."

"Once her family leaves, I swear I'll throw you the grandest wedding anyone has ever seen, okay?"

His eyes were filled with affection, but looking at him sitting there in that sharp, custom-tailored tuxedo only made my chest ache with a dull, piercing pain.

Our own wedding was still in the planning stages. Yet here he was, giving the very first sight of him as a groom to another woman.

Ever since Elena came back into his life six months ago, Ryan had devoted every ounce of his attention to her.

He would vanish for three days, sometimes half a month at a time.

Because I loved him so deeply, I made excuses for him. I told myself that love was never smooth sailing.

As long as he still came home to me, as long as we made it down the aisle in the end, I could bear it.

I accepted everything, foolishly believing my patience would eventually bring him to his senses.

I never imagined he would go this far. His first love snapped her fingers, and he threw himself at her feet.

Right then, I knew. This relationship was dead.

"I know," I said calmly. "I won't cause a scene."

Hearing my reassurance, Ryan let out a visible sigh of relief.

He reached out to take my hand, but I pulled away.

Before he could say anything, a sleek car pulled up. Elena stepped out, fully dressed in a flowing white bridal gown.

"Ryan! I'm here!"

Elena jogged over and threw herself straight into his arms.

Her sweet scent and familiar warmth made Ryan’s cheeks flush, his heartbeat visibly quickening.

I watched with cold, detached eyes. He had promised me that he would never cross the line with another woman in front of me.

Yet here they were, displaying their affection in broad daylight, right to my face. It was almost laughable. Years of devotion couldn't hold a candle to the girl who got away.

Ryan finally noticed my gaze. Snapping back to reality, he awkwardly pulled away from Elena.

"Maya... Elena is just being childish today. I'll talk to her later."

Elena clung onto his arm anyway, turning toward me with a smug, dazzling smile.

"Thank you so much, Maya, for letting me have Ryan today. Don't worry, I promise I'll cherish him."

Ryan’s face instantly darkened. "Elena, don't make me repeat myself! Let go of me. Don't touch me in front of Maya."

Elena shot me a resentful glare before dropping her hand. Still, she smiled sweetly.

"Maya, time is ticking. Ryan and I are heading inside to sign the papers now."

I looked past her and said nothing. Ryan carefully watched my expression, desperately scrambling to smooth things over.

"Maya, as soon as this whole charade is over, we're going to have a massive ceremony of our own. Okay?"

He reached out to pull me into a hug. Again, I stepped back.

Swallowing the bitter lump in my throat, I said flatly, "Just go. Don't keep your big day waiting."

When the two of them walked back out of City Hall holding their official marriage certificate, the final thread holding my heart together snapped.

I turned around, pulled out my phone, and looked at the message from the director of a classified defense research facility.

I had always been a top-tier tech specialist. But because of Ryan, I had turned down high-level government contracts to stay in this city and build a life with him.

Now, there was no reason to stay.

I tapped out a quick reply: “I accept the offer.”

A response came within seconds: “Understood. We will pick you up in three days.”

I locked my phone and looked back at Ryan and Elena.

After today, we would never see each other again.

Ryan, I truly hope you and Elena enjoy the rest of your lives together.