Chapter 1

Sadie's POV

I, Sadie Cotton, stood frozen for a long time before sending a text message to a number that had contacted me not long ago.

"I accept your offer. In exchange, I want to be transferred overseas."

I was about to turn and leave when Evelyn Moon spotted me.

"Sadie, come here! I've already picked a ring for you! The diamond is a little small, but it's a great bargain."

The word "bargain" had followed Travis White and me through almost our entire five-year relationship.

Travis had been raised in a single-parent household. His mother had been in poor health for years and lived in a long-term care facility.

After paying her medical expenses, Travis had very little money left from his paychecks.

So, I learned to be very frugal so that I could save enough for our wedding.

I worked part-time jobs on the weekends, rain or shine. Most of my clothes came from clearance sales or discount racks. Sometimes, I'd even pack up unfinished food from the office cafeteria and eat it for dinner. My colleagues used to laugh and joke that I was desperate to get married.

Whenever Evelyn and I went shopping, I'd occasionally want to splurge on something nice, like a steak dinner. But she'd immediately drag me away like a strict financial advisor.

"No, no. Eating at a restaurant isn't worth the money. It's better to cook at home. If you keep going at this rate, how are you ever going to marry Travis?"

I pouted. "Not even once?"

She wouldn't give in. She'd say, "Silly Sadie. I'm thinking about your future!"

Back then, I never understood the deeper meaning behind those words.

A bitter smile crossed my lips.

Travis didn't even look at me. He just casually said, "You're late. At this rate, you might as well show up late to the wedding too."

The comment felt like a needle piercing my heart.

"Oh, shut up!"

Evelyn shot him a glare, then pulled me toward the jewelry counter. Picking up a ring with a diamond so small it was barely visible, she tried to slide it onto my finger. But it wouldn't go on, no matter how hard she tried.

Travis seemed amused. Taking the ring from her, he slipped it onto her finger effortlessly.

"You dummy. That's your ring size. Sadie's fingers are so fat. How could that possibly fit her?"

Realization dawned on Evelyn's face, and she burst out laughing at herself.

"Should I ask for a different size?"

Travis replied casually, "You've already tried it on. Why don't you buy one too?"

Evelyn hesitated. "But this is supposed to be your wedding ring… That would be inappropriate."

Travis looked unconcerned. "Why? You two are best friends."

So, best friends were supposed to get the same wedding ring?

I looked up at him.

Since I'd arrived, his eyes had followed Evelyn everywhere. The two of them joked and teased each other, completely oblivious to how pale I was.

They always seemed to be on the same wavelength, sharing the same interests and hobbies. And whenever I opened my mouth, the conversation died.

The salesperson returned with the same ring in a larger size.

Suddenly, I pointed to a different ring. "I want this one."

At those words, Travis finally looked at me. Then, he glanced at the price tag and frowned.

"Sadie, that one is two thousand dollars."

I replied seriously, "Yeah. But that's the one I want."

He said nothing more. The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Then, Evelyn suddenly burst out laughing.

Confused, I looked at her.

She waved her hand with an apologetic smile. "Sorry. It's just the first time I've ever seen Sadie throw a tantrum. I couldn't help laughing."

Travis shook his head helplessly and said to me, "Sadie, diamond rings are a waste of money. There's no reason to spend that much."

"You're still talking? My dear Softie Cotton is about to start throwing punches at you!" After joking around, Evelyn turned back to me and softened her tone. "Sadie, two thousand dollars is a lot of money. Be good. Let's not buy it, okay?"

An emptiness spread through my chest.

Why was it that whenever I simply expressed my thoughts, they acted like I was throwing a tantrum? Why did they treat me like a child that needed to be coaxed? And why did they seem to find my temper amusing?

It didn't use to be this way.

Back in college, because I was soft-spoken, classmates often ignored my refusals and pressured me into doing things like helping them move boxes or clean the classroom. Travis had been the only one who ever stood up for me.

I remembered him saying, "She already said no. Didn't you hear her?"

I turned to Evelyn. "Some people can have a 20 thousand dollar ring. But I don't even deserve a two thousand dollar one?"

She froze, then awkwardly looked away.

"Travis, if you want to marry me, then buy this one."

For a moment, Travis looked stunned. Then, his tone turned stern. "Sadie, threatening me with our marriage is petty. If this wedding doesn't happen, you'll be the one regretting it."

Suddenly, I couldn't find the words to respond.

I was the one who had brought up marriage in the first place because he had always felt guilty that he couldn't afford to give me a home.

I hadn't wanted to cry, but my eyes uncontrollably turned red.

Evelyn quickly stepped in. "Come on, Travis. It's the first time Sadie is asking you for something. Just let her have this one."

Travis sighed, his expression easing slightly.

But my chest ached even more.

I couldn't get the ring I wanted from Travis even after putting our marriage on the line. Yet, Evelyn secured it with just a single sentence.

Evelyn grabbed my arm and teased me with a grin. "Happy now, you little money-grubber?"

I shrugged her hand off, leaving her in shock as she stared at her suddenly empty hand.

Travis narrowed his eyes and said, "Sadie, I've already given you a budget of 800 dollars. If you want something more expensive, pay the difference yourself!"

Evelyn quickly adjusted her expression.

"Don't fight. Sadie is probably just having a bad day. How about I cover the extra 1200 dollars? Consider it my wedding gift to you two."

She took out her credit card, but Travis stopped her.

"There's no need to do that. You don't owe her anything."

I looked at their hands, still clasped together. Then, I laughed.

"Forget it. I'll buy it myself."