Chapter 1

•Cassie POV•

Everyone has a breaking point. You might think it’s impossible, but what hurts more than hoping for something too much?

“Cassie, I love it when you dress in lingerie just to impress me,” Scott mumbled as I crossed my legs over him on the bed, each thigh resting on either side of his.

I leaned in, kissing him softly. His hands slid up from my hips to my waist, warm against the thin net fabric that barely covered me. A shiver ran through me. I had missed his touch.

“You can say that again, honey. Because I want you,” I chuckled as he pulled me closer.

“Then I’m all yours.” He kissed my lips, then trailed to my neck. My breath caught, a quiet moan slipping out. This was golden, one of the reasons I could never imagine trading Scott for anyone.

He was my first love, my first in everything. We met in high school, and ever since, it felt like fate had tied us together.

“I love you, Cassie. Always. And I don’t think I can ever love anyone else but you,” he whispered, and I couldn’t help but laugh lightly.

“And I love you more,” I murmured, kissing him again.

He laid me back gently, his lips moving from my stomach to my chest. My eyes fluttered shut as warmth spread through me. But just when the moment deepened, his phone rang from the nightstand, twice, sharp and loud.

Before I could blink, Scott was on his feet, muttering into the phone. The space beside me went cold.

I hugged my knees to my chest, pressing my chin against them. The mood slipped away like water through my fingers.

“Cassie, honey,” he said after hanging up, his face apologetic. “I’m sorry. That was a call from the investors. I need to be in the office now so we can sign a deal.”

My throat tightened. I wanted to tell him how much it hurt that he always left, but instead I forced my lips into a small smile. He rushed to the closet, pulling on black pants and a crisp blue shirt, moving so quickly I felt invisible.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re angry,” he said, coming back to me. “But I promise I’ll make it up to you when I’m back.”

“It’s alright, honey. I know you have to work,” I said softly, even though my chest felt heavy. He kissed me on the lips and forehead before slipping on his watch and hurrying out the door.

Silence filled the room the second he left. I sat there, still as stone, staring at the spot where he had stood. His cologne lingered in the air, sharp and sweet, a reminder he was gone. I should have expected it. Lately, he was always gone.

The clock ticked louder with each second, mocking me. I pulled the blanket over my lap, hugging it as if it could take his place. I told myself, He’s working for our future. He’s doing this for us. But the words felt empty in my chest.

I pressed my face into my palms, trying to swallow the ache in my throat. I wanted to scream, but all I did was sit there until my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

“Hey, Cassie,” Layla’s cheerful voice came through when I answered. “Sorry I didn’t inform you earlier, but can you come over to the ring store? I’ll be spending more time here, so we can head to the wedding dress store after.”

“Okay, Layla. I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I said quickly, not trusting myself to say more.

I ended the call and exhaled slowly. The clock read just past eight. That gave me time to run around the house before heading out.

I slipped out of the lingerie, tossed it into the hamper, and pulled on an oversized shirt. With my hair in a ponytail, I spent the next hour sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes until the place looked decent. I wasn’t sure why I worked so hard that morning, it wasn’t like Scott would notice. Maybe keeping busy helped silence the thoughts.

When I finished, I changed into a brown jumpsuit and heels, grabbed my tablet and notepad, and hurried out.

The morning sun was just peeking out, casting gold streaks across the sky. My car’s engine hummed as I drove through the quiet streets, the city slowly waking up around me. I caught my reflection in the rearview mirror, my smile looked strained, my eyes tired. I quickly looked away.

Radiant Heart Ring Store stood tall on the corner, its glass doors glinting. I pulled into the lot, parked, and took a deep breath before stepping inside.

“Good morning, ma’am,” a red-haired lady at the counter greeted warmly. “How may I help you? We have a collection of rings for you to check out.”

“Morning. I’m looking for Layla Ken. She’s here with her fiancé to pick up her wedding ring.”

The lady studied me briefly, then nodded. “If you mean the ginger-haired lady with a man, yes. She’s down the hall.”

“Thank you,” I said, forcing a polite smile.

I followed the direction she pointed, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The store smelled faintly of roses, and soft music played in the background, but none of it calmed the strange unease tugging at me.

Halfway down the hall, I spotted Layla. She clung to a man’s arm, her laugh light and carefree, her head resting on his shoulder.

I slowed. Something about the curve of his jaw, the way he stood, it clawed at my memory.

My steps faltered, heart pounding harder with every inch closer. He turned slightly, smiling down at her, and the sight hit me like a punch. That smile, I knew it.

My fingers went cold around my bag strap. My throat closed.

“Scott?” I whispered, the word scraping out of me.

The world tilted, sound fading, as he turned at the sound of my voice.