2

Chloe's saccharine voice cut through the receiver. "Honey, where did you go? My parents are waiting. They want to talk about our engagement next week."

Every word stabbed into me like a needle.

Next week was supposed to be our sixth anniversary.

I'd booked the flights to Paris three months in advance.

But just last week, Nathan told me the firm had sent him on a last-minute business trip.

I'd sat on the couch, staring at the cancellation screen on my phone.

He'd wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Don't worry. There'll be plenty of chances.

"How about next year I make time to go home with you and meet your mom?"

I'd been ecstatic, convinced he was finally ready to make us official.

Now it all just seemed like a sick joke.

A dull ache throbbed in my chest, dragging me back to reality.

I stared blankly at the man in front of me.

Nathan, there was no forever for us.

Just hearing his voice made me nauseous. I raised my hand and pointed at the door. "Get out."

Nathan stood there for a long time. His phone rang again.

He finally turned around and quietly pulled the door shut behind him.

I spent the next few days in a haze.

Chloe's Facebook was flooded with new posts.

The engagement venue. The ring designs.

I scrolled through it all calmly, then turned off my phone.

I went back to work and handed in my resignation.

My coworkers spotted it and started teasing me. "Oh, Ivy. Going home to get married? Has that mysterious boyfriend of yours finally decided to go public?"

"I knew it! Ivy is finally getting her happy ending!"

Over those six years, my mysterious boyfriend, who had never once shown his face, had become the office's favorite legend.

On the fifteenth of every month, a bouquet of white roses would appear on my desk without fail.

Every month during my period, a delivery guy would show up right on time with warm milk.

My coworkers' cheering nearly blew the roof off.

I'd duck my head, blushing to the tips of my ears, my heart so full it could burst.

But looking back now, every little thing that had secretly made me glow had turned into a blade aimed back at me.

I forced a bitter smile. "Not getting married. Just feel like it's time to settle down and spend some time with family."

The words had barely left my mouth when the office door was kicked open from outside.

Chloe strode in on her heels, snatched the resignation letter off my desk, and held it up. "Planning to skip town on your debt, Ivy?"

I held my breath and forced my voice steady. "Chloe, this is my workplace, not a stage for your tantrums! If you have something to say, we can take it outside."

But Chloe took another step forward. "Oh? So you get to steal other people's husbands, but I can't come collect what's mine?

"Drop the act, Ivy."

The air in the office froze.

After a few seconds of silence, one of my coworkers spoke up. "Hey, you can't just throw around accusations like that! Ivy's had a boyfriend for years!"

Chloe said nothing. A thin smile curled at the corner of her lips.

Slowly, deliberately, she pulled a folded certificate from her bag. "I never said she didn't have a boyfriend.

"But her boyfriend is my husband!"

The moment I saw the marriage certificate, blood rushed to my head.

I even wondered if Chloe had forged the document.

I wanted to slap the paper right back in her face.

But it was like all the strength had been drained from my body. My arms were too heavy to lift.

I took several deep breaths before I could steady myself. "Chloe, I didn't know about you and Nathan. If I had, I never would have..."

Before I could finish, a sharp crack rang in my ears.

Searing pain bloomed across my left cheek, and stars burst across my vision.