chapter 2

After dinner, I carried some tea and dissert up to the rooftop. Colton held Amelia close, both lost in the warmth of the Christmas lights.

Just last year, he led me up here eagerly, pulling out a portrait he had sketched of us, old and wrinkled.

He told me we were like the legendary lovers who would stay together forever and expressed his gratitude for being with me every day.

I wiped away my tears, intentionally making my steps loud enough. They sprang apart instantly.

"Babe, come take a picture! I want to add it to my collection!" Colton called out with a broad grin.

Amelia rolled her eyes and moved aside. I struck a casual pose.

"My Cassidy is still as beautiful and captivating as ever."

"Merry Christmas. I love you!" he said, lowering to kiss my forehead with tender sweetness.

Colton then handed me his phone, letting me browse through photos, before he hurried off.

As I scrolled through countless images, his gallery brimmed with photos of me—some posed, some taken secretly.

His messages looked clean. I was about to close when I noticed a section marked for encrypted albums.

I tried using my birthday and his—no results.

Then I glanced at Amelia, who was glaring daggers at me. I hesitated but typed in her measurements.

Unexpectedly, a photo appeared: the two of them kissing beneath the moon. Despite preparing myself, the sight still hit me like a sledgehammer.

My fingers trembled as I swiped through, my face blanching like a ghost. My heart stabbed with each revelation.

Trendy cafes, popular attractions, intimate theaters—they were everywhere, always together, lost in each other's world.

Intimate photos abounded, some in poses indescribable.

Over a thousand photos...

That explained the curly black hair tangled with my toothbrush. The evidence was undeniable!

My parents' chatter was a backdrop to my realization as I unclenched my hands, nails no longer biting into my skin.

I stealthily closed the encrypted album, bit my lip, and returned the phone to Colton with feigned indifference.

He noticed me eyeing the chocolate Amelia was devouring and hurried to justify himself.

"There was only one pistachio chocolate in the gift box. Amelia loves them, so I gave it to her first.

"Babe, have the raspberry one, okay?"

Every Christmas, Colton would bring me my favorite pistachio chocolate, handing it over with a warm smile and a mug of hot chocolate.

We would snuggle, savor chocolate, admire the holiday light, and laugh together.

But now...

He knew perfectly well that I despised raspberry chocolate!

I swatted away the raspberry chocolate he offered in irritation, grabbed my bag, and walked away.

"It's just a piece of chocolate. why all the fuss?

"Just open another box; there are plenty more!

"It's not every day Amelia and Auntie visit, and you have to spoil everything."

Colton followed, his voice nagging endlessly.

" Cassidy Johnson!"

He pounded hard on the car window.

I jammed the gas pedal and raced off, leaving him behind.

Wind clawed through the open window, drying the tears blurring my vision.

I was the envy of everyone for having such a devoted fiancé. At work, he was ever-present, and after hours, he stuck by me, showing up whenever I needed him.

The year he confessed his love, I asked him,

" Colton, would you ever betray me?

"I despise cheaters. My beloved sister ended her life because of a cheating boyfriend."

I spat the words, dripping with bitterness.

"If you can't promise loyalty, then let’s not even begin."

Colton held me tight, eyes brimming with love and hurt: "Cassidy, you’re not only the woman I adore—you saved my life.

"I vow, I’ll marry you and no one else."

Yet, a mere five years later, it meant nothing that I was once his savior.

I didn't need to ask. The devoted partner I cherished was already gone.