After Seven Years, I Chose Leave, He Begged Too LateChapter 1

My paycheck hit while I was sitting in my rented room eating instant noodles.

Same as every month, I transferred five thousand into the bank account Drew and I shared.

One more deposit. One step closer to our own place—a home, a wedding, a life.

Melinda Pruitt grinned at me from across the table.

"God, Willow Fox, you're so cheap. You never buy yourself anything."

"It's worth it if we can buy a place sooner. A little scrimping won't kill me."

A second later, Melinda shrieked.

"Holy shit, this Young Mr. Simmons is loaded! He rented out all of Disneyland for his fiancée's birthday!"

She shoved her phone in my face. The chopsticks stopped halfway to my mouth, and something in my chest seized.

That silhouette looked a lot like Drew.

"Willow, let's go check it out! I heard they're giving away cash gifts too."

Before I could argue, Melinda was already dragging me out the door.

Drones hung in the sky, their lights spelling out two names: Drew Simmons. Zelda Harding.

It couldn't be. Plenty of people shared the same name. It had to be a coincidence.

Then a kiss flashed across the giant screen, and the air left my lungs.

The man I'd loved for seven years was kissing another woman.

1

I stared at the screen. My fists clenched so tight my nails cut into my palms.

Melinda's grin froze the instant she recognized his face.

"Hold on—Willow, that guy looks just like your boyfriend."

I couldn't speak. I just kept staring at those names, and Melinda followed my gaze.

"No way. That's not actually him, is it?"

"He's a junior clerk. How is he suddenly Harbor City royalty?"

"Willow, what the hell is going on?"

I didn't know either. Just yesterday he'd been worrying about rent and the electric bill.

The screen began cycling through photos of Drew and Zelda together.

Kindergarten. Elementary school. Middle school. A high school abroad. College.

Photos I'd never seen, every single one dripping with money.

The last image lingered: Zelda in a princess gown, cutting a cake beside Drew.

Matching rings on their left hands. I recognized the brand from television. Luxury I couldn't name a price for.

On screen, Drew's eyes were soft, full of tenderness, and they were only on Zelda.

Pain ripped through my chest and all the blood in my body rushed to my head.