Ditched at Our Seventh Engagement

I stood at the center of the stage, heartbroken.Just like before, Sawyer Patterson walked away without looking back. He ignored the guests' stares, leaving me to face their whispers alone.This was our tenth year together. In another year, I'd be 35.Sawyer and I grew up together. Our families jokingly matched us before we were born. No one took it seriously, except me.I'd secretly loved Sawyer, dreaming of marrying him one day.Sawyer's father stuck to outdated business decisions. Their company's stock plummeted, and they were near bankruptcy.Then they remembered that promise, hoping a marriage could save them.My parents, seasoned in business, saw through their plan and were ready to refuse. But I overheard their conversation and threw a fit, insisting on marrying Sawyer.My parents compromised, agreeing to let us date first.Everyone thought I was just infatuated. With my status, I could have aimed higher. No one expected it to last ten years.This seventh engagement pa

I'd always hated seeing Sawyer cry.It broke my heart, and this time was no different. Despite the pain, I still loved him.As I reached to wipe his tears, his phone rang on the table.I knew that ringtone all too well. Sawyer had set a special ringtone for Mathilde so that he'd never miss her calls.My hand froze mid-air.After taking the call, Sawyer grabbed his bag and rushed to put on his shoes."The doctor says Mathilde's fever spiked again," he said. "I gotta check on her. Be good and wait for me at home. I'm already exhausted from taking care of her."He leaned in to kiss my cheek, but I dodged.He wanted to say more, but his phone kept ringing. He glanced at me and left.The scene was all too familiar, etched in my memory.I'd planned to head to my apartment to catch up on work delayed by the engagement. Then my mom, Celeste O'Connor, called, insisting I come home.They must have heard about the failed engagement party. They'd practically disowned me for embarrassing

Sawyer checked his phone and realized he'd missed Mathilde's calls.She kept knocking, refusing to stop until someone answered."What the hell?" I snapped. "You gave her my address?""Maybe it's an emergency. Let's open the door," Sawyer stammered, opening it without my consent.Mathilde rushed in and hugged him despite my presence."Sawyer, I was worried sick," she said anxiously. "I called you so many times, but you didn't pick up. I thought something had happened to you."They clung to each other, his attention entirely on her. Noticing that she was soaked too, he quickly used his towel to dry her off."Why are you here?" he asked, worried. "You're all wet. What if your fever comes back?"For ten years, no matter how sick I got, even when I was hospitalized with stomach issues, he had never shown me such care.Mathilde smirked at me, her eyes gleaming with smugness.I glared at her, but she pushed further, sliding an arm around Sawyer's waist and brushing his hair flirtati

"Stop this!" I warned, "or I'll have you thrown out.""Come on. You can't be mad at me forever," Sawyer protested. "I'm here to make things right. Is this about Mathilde? I've told you a million times. She is just a friend. I care about her because she saved my life.""Enough," I cut him off. "I'm done with your excuses. Be with whoever you want. Just leave me alone."I left for the parking lot to avoid office gossip. Sawyer followed, tears welling up in his eyes.Before he could start his pitiful act, Mathilde popped out from behind a car, crying, "Sawyer, how could you leave me alone in the hospital?"For the first time, Sawyer looked annoyed with her.He'd told her that his family needed money. He couldn't afford to lose me, or their funds would dry up. Then his cushy life would be over.But Mathilde was insecure. She wouldn't let Sawyer and me reconnect.To her, everything he said was an excuse.She was determined to latch onto the Pattersons, even if their glory days were

Florian casually looped his arm through mine.I stiffened, instinctively wanting to keep my distance. Then I relaxed, remembering I was single again.We barely made it out of the company doors when a familiar voice rang out."No wonder you dumped me!" Sawyer yelled. "You've been into Florian this whole time, haven't you?"Like an annoying fly, he just wouldn't go away.Before I could respond, Florian shot back, "Still that spoiled kid? Everyone knows you've been tangled up with Mathilde. Don't be a hypocrite."Having someone stick up for me felt new. No wonder Mathilde always rubbed her victories in my face.I ignored Sawyer and led Florian to the car."This is cheating! I didn't agree to break up!" Sawyer fumed."Let's go," I told the driver.The car drove off, leaving Sawyer in the dust.After that dinner, Florian went back abroad, but we stayed in touch, sharing daily updates.He gave me a sense of security I hadn't felt in ten years. I bet that was what real love felt l