Chapter 1

I had been to the Black family’s annual banquet many times. Tonight, though, was the first time I walked through those doors without the title of “Gabriel’s fiancée.”

“Is that Erin? Why is she–”

“Who’s she holding hands with? Isn’t that the Graham family’s son?”

“Then who’s the girl next to Gabriel? What’s going on here?”

Gabriel Black shot to his feet. The movement was so sudden that the chair scraped harshly against the floor.

His eyes were red as he pointed straight at Felix Graham.

“Do you have any idea she’s my fiancée?”

Felix lowered his gaze and looked at me, as if silently asking whether I wanted him to speak. I gave a small shake of my head.

Susan Black, Gabriel’s mother, forced a smile and tried to smooth things over. “Erin, there must be some misunderstanding. Gabriel is just young and likes to have fun. In his heart, you’re still the one who matters…”

I looked at her and smiled as well. “Mrs. Black, he’s been having fun for a whole year with seven girlfriends, and I’ve never said a word. Tonight, though, he’s brought the eighth one to the family banquet. If I keep quiet again, should I start making room for the ninth next time?”

Gabriel’s father, Richard Black, turned ashen. He shot Gabriel a furious glare.

Gabriel opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my hand and cut him off.

“Gabriel, you were right,” I said. “Staying loyal to one person really is a loss, so I’ll be the one to call off this engagement.”

I pushed the engagement agreement a little farther forward, then turned to look at Father, whose face revealed nothing. We held each other’s gaze for three seconds before he slowly stood up.

“Richard, matters between the children are their own. We, adults, shouldn’t interfere. But if Erin wants to end the engagement, I’ll support her decision.”

Richard’s expression darkened immediately. He turned and roared at Gabriel, “Get out of here!”

Gabriel was driven into the study. Even through the closed door, the sound of things being smashed could be heard. Without saying another word, Susan followed him into the study shortly after.

Just like that, Whitney White was left standing alone in the hall. Under the weight of everyone’s staring eyes, she looked visibly uncomfortable and hurried out with her head lowered.

The annual banquet ended hastily after that. I walked Felix to the entrance and finally let go of the arm I had been holding.

“Thank you for tonight, Felix.”

He looked down at me, his expression gentle, his tone calm. “It was my honor to put on this little performance for you.”

Then, he got into his car and disappeared into the night.

I remained standing at the gates of the Blacks’ residence. The wind brushed past me, carrying a slight chill. A splash of red wine had stained my dress earlier, but it had dried, leaving behind a dark crimson mark.

When I got home, I collapsed onto the sofa and lay there with my eyes closed for a long time. My mind drifted back to when I was sixteen, the first time Gabriel held my hand and said I belonged to him.

At eighteen, when our families arranged the engagement, he had declared in front of everyone that I was the only one for him for the rest of his life. Yet, at twenty-two, he showed up before me with his eighth girlfriend. The person I once called Gabe was no longer mine.

I opened my eyes, picked up my phone, and opened my chat with Gabriel. The last message was from three days ago. He had sent me a photo of him and Whitney together.

“My new girlfriend. She’s pretty, right?”

I never replied, and now, I never would. I tapped on his profile and deleted the contact.