I Was His To-Do List

Jacob texted back instantly:[Of course. I'd never fall for some girl who only knows how to act innocent.][Don't worry, Sabina. I'm gonna finish all seventy-seven. You have no idea how pumped I am to finally be with you.]He sounded thrilled.I snapped the laptop shut. No way I was reading another word of that garbage.Tried to breathe. Tears still came.I actually loved him—back then, and stupidly, maybe even now.***On the way to the party, my phone buzzed—Linda again.This time, it was a pic of her all cozy with Jacob, looking way too close.Then poof—she deleted it, like it was some "oops" moment.Please. I knew what she was pulling. I didn't bother clapping back.Jacob wasn't into her. She was just another check on that list. Sabina was the real prize.The room was packed when I walked in. Eyes cut toward me, then away fast."Why is she even here? If Jacob wasn't around, I'd bounce.""Sabina and Gabriel were goals. She ruined it. Thank God he dumped her."They we

Jacob freaked out.He fumbled for his phone, called Yuna. It rang and rang—no answer.He shot her a text. Red exclamation mark. Blocked.He called the maid."She left with a suitcase two hours ago," she said. "Told me not to tell you. But she did leave something—"He didn't wait. Hung up and sped home.The place looked untouched.But when he opened the wardrobe—empty. All her clothes gone.The maid handed him a red box.Their wedding rings.No ceremony, just a quiet exchange.He remembered the way Yuna smiled when he slid the ring on her finger.Now he gripped it like it was the last piece of her left.Something in his chest twisted tight.He called his assistant Peter. "Find her."Then he sat on the couch, silent.Staring into nothing.***By ten that night, Jacob doubled over in pain.Stomach again.Yuna used to catch it early—had his meds ready before he even asked.Now? He didn't even know where they were.As the pain worsened, he used the last of his strength

The second I stepped off the plane, I spotted my parents waiting nearby.They rushed over, grabbing my hands, their faces full of questions.Guess that's what blood ties do—soon as I said I was coming back to Norvane, they already knew something was up.Mom's eyes went glassy."It's enough that you're home. We were too caught up in work when you were little... but now? Stay with us. You'll always be our little princess."Her words hit me hard—eyes stinging, chest warm.My parents worked in chip development, all high-tech stuff, but there wasn't a spot for me there.Mom gently asked if I still wanted to dance. I shook my head.I'd only done ballet for someone else. That drive? Gone. Especially with the scar on my leg.Then Leo, our neighbor's son who was a little older, chimed in, "Wanna work at my flower shop?"It was actually a great idea, so the next day, I joined the "Love" flower shop crew.Leo was all-in on plants—majored in horticulture, started the shop right after co

The institute was buzzing about this huge performance, and out of nowhere, the director picked me for a solo. I was floored—hadn't performed since college.Leo swung by when he heard, hyping me up like always.When I hit the stage, I let go. Every move felt right. The crowd? Ate it up.Then backstage, this massive bouquet showed up—9,999 red roses. Everyone freaked, thinking Leo sent it. Until I read the card.[Yuna, I saw your performance today. It was perfect.]And boom—Jacob walked in."You like the roses?" he said. "Picked them one by one from the biggest garden around. Fresh and vibrant, just like you."I let out a dry laugh. "Oh? Thought red was more Sabina's vibe. Did she get her roses too? Or just the two dresses you prepped?"Jacob scrambled. "I'm done with her, I swear. Look—I even blocked her." He held up his phone like that proved something.I shut him down. "I don't care. I'll never forgive you. How are you still not getting that?""Yuna, I know you hate me. But