Chapter 3

Naturally, I slept terribly. I showed up to work with dark circles under my eyes.

The moment my shift ended, I grabbed my purse and bolted.

But right outside the office building, I saw a familiar car and a familiar face.

Zach was standing there holding a massive bouquet of red roses. When he saw me, he walked over.

"Babe, I really messed up. Please give me one more chance?" He handed me the roses and pulled a small, elegant jewelry box from his pocket. "Open it. See if you like it."

I couldn't resist. I opened the box.

I gasped.

Inside was a pair of diamond stud earrings I had admired a few days ago but decided were too expensive. They were easily over fifteen hundred dollars.

I hadn't expected him to remember, let alone buy them for me.

"Let me put them on for you," Zach whispered, gently putting them in my ears. Then, he looked at me and frowned.

"What's wrong?" I touched my ears, worried something was off.

Zach sighed. "My girlfriend is just too beautiful. I'm actually jealous of these earrings for getting to touch your ears. They must be the luckiest things in the world."

I tried so hard to keep a straight face, but a smile slipped through anyway.

And just like that, we were back together.

I couldn't help it. He was just too good at this.

For the next few days, Zach was highly involved in our wedding prep.

A week later, he had to go out of town for a business trip.

As I helped him pack, I gave him my usual warning: "Remember, no talking to other girls unless it's strictly about work. Got it?"

"Got it, babe."

I looked back and saw him playing a mobile game. I doubted he was even listening.

While Zach was away, I stayed at my mom's place.

Two nights later, it was almost bedtime, and I hadn't received his usual FaceTime call. So, I dialed his number.

When the call connected, my words died in my throat.

It wasn't Zach on the screen. It was a woman.

My face fell, and my hands started to shake.

"Where's Zach?"

"Oh, are you looking for Zach? He's in the shower. You can tell me whatever it is, and I'll pass it along."

Her tone was so familiar, so casual, that anyone could tell their relationship wasn't simple.

"No need." I hung up, my chest heaving with rage. I wanted to smash my phone against the wall.

It took me a long time to calm down.

I didn't sleep. I sat up in bed all night, waiting for Zach to call and explain.

But by the next morning, my phone was dead silent.