Chapter 1

Today was supposed to be our special day, our first anniversary. I couldn’t help but smile as I walked into the watch store. The glimmering display cases reflected the excitement in my chest. I’d saved for months, carefully tucking away a bit of every paycheck from the cafe. A sleek silver watch caught my eye, simple but elegant, just like him or at least how I used to see him.

“This one, please,” I said to the salesgirl, sliding over my hard-earned money.

She arched a brow, her lips twisting into a smirk. “Saving up, huh? Must be a lucky guy,” she quipped, eyeing my plain jeans and worn sneakers.

My cheeks burned. “He’s worth it,” I replied softly, clutching the box tightly as she handed it over.

Her laugh lingered behind me as I walked out, but I didn’t care. Tonight, Damon and I will celebrate our love. I could already imagine his surprised smile when I gave him the watch. The thought filled me with warmth, pushing away the teasing of the salesgirl’s words.

Arriving at the cafe for my shift, I hurried inside. The familiar smell of coffee beans and fresh pastries greeted me.

“Evelyn!” Celina’s cheerful voice cut through the chatter. She was wiping down a table near the counter, her curls bouncing as she waved me over. “Have you seen Damon today? He’s been gone all day. He said he had something to take care of.”

“Really?” I asked, my heart fluttering. Maybe he was planning a surprise for me, something romantic. Damon wasn’t usually the grand gesture type, but today was different. Or at least, I hoped it was.

The rest of my shift dragged on. Every time the bell above the door jingled, my eyes darted toward it, hoping to see Damon walk in with that confident stride of his. But he didn’t.

Finally, the clock hit closing time. I hung up my apron, took a deep breath, and dialed his number. Straight to voicemail.

Just as I was about to text him, my phone rang. The screen lit up with a name I barely recognized. Jonah, one of Damon’s friends. My stomach sank.

“Hello?” I answered hesitantly.

“Evelyn, Damon’s at The Velvet Lounge,” Jonah slurred. “He’s... let’s just say he’s not in a good state. You should come get him.”

A bar? On our anniversary? Anger bubbled under my skin. Still, I grabbed my jacket and headed out. I didn’t want to ruin tonight, even if he was being thoughtless. Maybe he’d explain, maybe this was some misunderstanding.

The Velvet Lounge was loud and crowded. Music thumped in my chest as I pushed through the group of bodies, scanning the room for Damon. When I finally spotted him, my heart stopped.

He was leaning against the bar, his arm draped lazily around someone not just anyone, but his ex. Her perfectly styled hair and tight red dress made her impossible to miss. And then, he kissed her. Right there, in front of everyone.

The box in my hand felt like dead weight. My fingers tightened around it until the edges bit into my palm. Fury surged through me, hot and blinding. Before I knew what I was doing, I stormed over, snatched a glass of some poor stranger’s drink, and threw it at them.

The liquid splashed across Damon’s shirt and her smug, perfect face. She gasped, her hands flying to her makeup-smeared cheeks.

“What the hell?” Damon shouted, staggering back.

“What the hell?” I echoed, my voice shaking with rage. “Do you even know what day it is?”

His expression shifted from shock to guilt, and then to irritation. “Oh, don’t tell me you’re mad about this,” he said, gesturing vaguely between himself and his ex. “Evelyn, come on. Don’t make a scene.”

“A scene?” I laughed bitterly. “You kissed her! On our anniversary! You’re lucky I’m not throwing more than a drink.”

He groaned, rubbing his temples. “Look, let’s not do this here.”

“No,” I snapped. “We’re doing this now. Tell me, Damon. How long has this been going on? Or is this the first time you decided to cheat on me?”

His ex snickered, crossing her arms. “So, you’re the substitute?” she said, her tone filled with disdain. “I broke up with him because I went abroad, but now I’m back. You can piss off.”

My heart felt like it shattered at that moment. Damon didn’t even deny it. Instead, he looked at me with a mix of pity and guilt. “She’s right, Evelyn. You were... Just a substitute. I thought I could make it work, but it’s not the same. It’s never been the same.”

Substitute. The word hit me like physical blows. “And what about everything we’ve been through?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “What about the nights you said you loved me?”

“I was lying to myself,” he said bluntly. “And honestly? You’re just not... enough. Not in bed, not anywhere.”

My cheeks burned with humiliation. People were staring now, whispering, pointing. The watch box slipped from my hand, landing with a dull thud on the sticky bar floor. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“We’re done,” I said firmly, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I hope she’s worth it.”

Without waiting for a reply, I turned and walked out. The cold night air hit me like a slap, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. My steps quickened as I fled down the street, away from the bar, away from the humiliation, away from him.

The dam finally broke, and my tears came rushing in waves. The image of Damon with his ex replayed in my mind, a cruel, unending reel I couldn’t escape. I had given him everything, my time, my trust, my heart and he had destroyed it all without a second thought.