Flames of Betrayal

Simon Hoffman had asked me out to dinner.

He was still tied up in a meeting, so I got to our reserved private dining room ahead of him.

While I waited, I pulled out my phone to check on flights home, hitting the peak of the summer travel season. The earliest one I could get was ten days out.

My birthday was also in ten days.

That same day, Simon and Ella Johnson were throwing their engagement party.

Well, that was one celebration I was not going to crash.

The door swung open and in came Simon, catching me off guard. I quickly locked my phone screen.

The room was large, yet he made a beeline to sit right beside me, warmly grabbing my hand.

In a flash, it felt as if I had returned to the night our non-cohabiting relationship began nine years ago. That night, he snuck into my room, gently kissed my hand, and whispered promises of a love that would last a lifetime.

However, now there was a ring on his finger—a ring I knew all too well. Given who he was, Simon was meant to have just one matching set for life.

He could not wait to be tied down to Ella.

The ring's gleam under the restaurant lights was like a dagger to my eyes.

He must have caught my gaze because he chuckled awkwardly and slid the ring off.

"Sorry... I forgot to take it off."

I kept my expression neutral. "Why bother? It's yours, isn't it?"

He paused, looking stunned, but then his phone ringtone shattered the silence. He picked up, and his face twisted into a grimace.

"A fender bender?! Is everyone okay? If you say so, but what's the doctor's verdict? Hold on, I'm on my way."

He ended the call and turned to me, his distress written all over his face.

"Ella's car got hit from behind, and I've got to go see her. She's expecting and needs someone around. Go ahead and eat. I'll make it up to you with another date, okay?"

Suddenly, I was hit with a wave of indifference. I zipped up my bag and stood up.

"Something's come up. I've got to run."

Simon reached out to stop me and asked, "Are you upset? Lily Scott, come on, it's almost done!"

I did not respond. Instead, I just pulled away from his grip and headed for the door.

"Lily! Lily! Hold on!"

I took a deep breath and turned to look at him. "Simon, I'm really in a rush. I can't wait any longer."

'That's that, Simon.'

I hurried down the street, head held high, blinking back tears that no one could see.

'In ten days, Simon, we'll each go our own way,' I thought to myself.