One Call Changed Everything

Within three seconds, both calls disconnected at the same time.

Then, a text popped up on my screen. "Baby, I'm busy right now. Call you later."

I gripped my phone until my fingertips turned white. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

'Is Leo cheating on me?' The thought flashed through my mind, and I immediately shook my head, trying to throw that ridiculous idea away.

He loved me too much. Everyone knew that. He had fallen hopelessly in love with me and had even allowed his family to disown him because of me.

When his mother refused to accept me, he knelt before his family before signing the papers that severed all ties with them.

After that, we stayed in a 108-square-foot basement with no heater. During the winters, he would hold me the whole night just to keep me warm.

And in five days, we were supposed to get married in front of the city's elite. How could he be cheating on me? This was impossible.

I forced myself to calm down. I tried to convince myself that it was just a coincidence. That had to be it.

The woman wore heavy makeup, dramatic eyeliner winged almost to her temples. Leo had always preferred women with natural beauty. She was not his type at all.

I instinctively let out a breath of relief. Suddenly, a series of intimate sounds came through the livestream's black screen.

A while later, the man whose voice sounded so much like Leo's said, "I'm taking a shower. Wait for me."

His voice was much clearer this time. I heard every word. My heart sank. The familiarity was impossible to ignore.

A few seconds later, the screen lit up again. The streamer, Gracie Powell, reappeared. She shyly brushed back her hair for the camera, exposing several bright red love bites across her neck.

Then she whipped out two tickets and proudly said, "I told my boyfriend I wanted to see the art exhibition, and he pulled some strings to get us two VIP passes."

She curled her lip in mock annoyance. "But I'm not interested in art."

That was when I noticed the Patek Philippe watch resting in the lower corner of the frame.

I stopped breathing the moment I realized what was engraved on it. It was the anniversary gift I bought for Leo with my first prize money. Q&L Forever were the words engraved across the dial I had designed myself.

My world collapsed silently in an instant. I could no longer lie to myself. Leo had really cheated on me, and I was happily counting down the days until I became his bride.

After calming down, I closed the livestream and called an overseas admissions consultant. "I'd like to apply to the Fashion Design program at the National School of Fine Arts in Fraydan, Sustrax. What's the earliest intake available?"

The consultant replied professionally, "The earliest intake is in five days."

…

After hanging up the phone, I booked a flight to Sustrax for five days later.

My life was not going to be defined by a man who had betrayed me. I had given up my dream of becoming a designer for Leo. It was time to take it back.

Leo only came back in the afternoon. He walked toward me carrying a box of cake, his tone full of concern. "Quincy, I got your favorite cake."

He leaned down, affectionately nuzzling my hair with his chin. But his tone changed when he saw my pale face. "What's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Did someone hurt you?"

I looked at him. The concern and panic in his eyes looked genuine, as it had always been.

I drew out my words slowly. "Leo, are you hiding anything from me?"