The softness in Claire’s eyes vanished, replaced only with disdain.
“Apologize? To him?”
“Do you really think he deserves it?”
I kept my face stern, but inside, my heart shattered.
Her voice turned colder, cutting like ice.
“If you don’t apologize today, then we’re not getting married!”
Gasps echoed across the office. Heads peeked out from behind cubicles, watching the chaos unfold.
It wasn’t the first time Claire had said something like this.
And every time, it was because of Ethan.
And every time, I gave in.
I had been with Claire for ten years. She was the one I’d chosen since childhood.
I had even dreamed of marrying her.
But dreams break. And now it was time for me to wake up.
“Fine,” I said.
“Then forget it.”
Her hand dropped, shock flashing briefly across her dark eyes.
Before she could say more, I turned and walked away.
“Ms. Bennett, maybe you should go after him, calm him down. I’ll be fine…”
“There’s nothing to worry about. He’ll regret it within three days,” Claire replied with indifference.
Her voice faded behind me, but I clenched my fists tighter.
This time, I wouldn’t regret it.
This time, I was already preparing to replace her.
Marriage? With her or without her—it didn’t matter.
That night, Ethan’s social feed blew up.
[ Who else lands such an amazing boss right after grad school? ]
The post was accompanied by three pictures:
Dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant,
The latest smartphone,
And a bank transfer of $200,000.
The last photo showed Claire herself, slicing steak and placing it gently onto Ethan’s plate.
I stared at them over and over, my chest hollow.
Ten years together, and Claire had never bought me a gift.
Not once had she transferred me even a dollar.
“Women should only enjoy a man’s love. Why would I ever surprise you?” she used to say.
She always believed women shouldn’t spend on men.
But for Ethan, her generosity knew no bounds.
Dinner dates? She’d sit and wait for me to do everything.
Photos? She refused every single time.
But Ethan—he got it all.
Without even trying.
My eyes burned, but I held it in.
Then—ding dong.
I opened the door. A delivery man stood outside.
“Good evening, I’m here to deliver the wedding photos.”
“I didn’t take any wedding photos.”
“Impossible. This is Claire Bennett’s residence, right?”
I nodded, and he unloaded a stack of large packages.
When he left, I opened one box, my hands trembling.
Inside were wedding photos—Claire and Ethan.
Set after set, outfit after outfit, scene after scene.
Claire beamed in every shot, her smile like a knife to my chest.
I looked up, only to see Claire at the door, holding up Ethan, drunk and leaning against her.
“Give me a hand, will you? He’s drunk.”
She ordered me around as if nothing had happened at work.
I stood still, pointing instead to the pile of boxes.
“I’ll give you five minutes. Clear all this trash out.”
“Including him.”
I gestured at Ethan, his face flushed with alcohol, clinging to Claire.
“No need to be so harsh,” she scolded.
“These photos were for Ethan’s mother. She wanted to see him married before she passed.”
“It was just to comfort her, nothing more. Why do you have to care so much?”
