I was packing for Finland, ready to chase the Northern Lights with my boyfriend, Lucas. But instead, I found a stack of photos in his drawer–Lucas and Willow, locked in a tight embrace. Attached were a bunch of gynecological test results. The dates? The very day I had my stomach cancer surgery. All his excuses about being “busy”? He was busy taking her for check-ups. When I confronted him, all I got was an impatient outburst. “I was just comforting a friend, nothing happened.” “She was really scared, I just stayed by her side. Can you stop overthinking everything?” Watching the video on my phone, the one where they were practically glued together, whispering sweet nothings, my heart just died. After what felt like an eternity, I called my parents. “Mom, Dad,” I choked out, “I’ll do it. I’ll come home and take over the family business.” After I hung up, a furious pounding started at the door. The door rattled violently, the urgent, jarring knocks making it clear the person outside was beyond furious. “Scarlett, open the door!” It was Lucas’s voice. Normally, I’d have rushed to open it, ready with his slippers. My heart always ached for how hard he worked running his company, and I constantly looked for ways to support him, to clear away any worries. But today, I just sat there, my expression empty. When I didn’t open the door, Lucas didn’t hesitate. He had someone force the door open. The first thing he did was storm over to me and shove my shoulder hard. “Why would you lay a hand on Willow?” “You know how fragile she is, how easily she gets upset. Why would you try to provoke her?” Seeing Lucas almost completely lose it, my heart twitched painfully. I’d bought the plane tickets today, planning to surprise him by packing my bags and heading to Finland to see the Northern Lights. Instead, I found those intimate photos of him and Willow in the cabinet. When I went to confront Willow, I was verbally ambushed by her and her friends. Now, I was the one being accused of provoking her. “Say something! Are you mute?” Lucas’s eyes were fierce, like he wanted to devour me whole. “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it? What kind of person are you?” I lowered my head, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. I didn’t have the energy to argue anymore. I casually tossed the photos at his feet. “What is this?” The moment he saw the photos, a flicker of panic crossed Lucas’s eyes. He instinctively looked away, his voice losing some of its confidence. “It’s not what you think.” “Willow had some women’s health issues, and she was really upset. I was just there as a friend to support her.” What kind of “support” requires you to be in bed, intimately embracing a friend of the opposite sex? The absurdity of his words was sickeningly ironic. Lucas, however, grew more convinced of his own righteousness. “Exactly! It was just friendly concern and companionship. Willow and I are completely innocent.” “Why do you always overcomplicate things? You’re so disappointing.” I looked at him, my expression a mix of shock and pity. What was I still expecting? I should have known, shouldn’t I? Long ago, when he repeatedly abandoned me for Willow. Lucas and I were college sweethearts. We’d gone from campus romance to what we were now, the perfect couple in everyone’s eyes. For him, I defied my parents and insisted on staying in this city. When he wanted to start a company, I drained my savings and built it with him. He’d seen me drink until I was throwing up after client meetings, and he’d hold me close, his eyes welling up with concern. “Scarlett, you’re working too hard. Once our business is stable, I’ll never let you push yourself like this again.” He’d wipe the sweat from my forehead, promising softly. “Then we’ll get married, at the best hotel, with the most unforgettable wedding.” “I’ll make everyone envy you.” His words still echoed in my ears, but the man before me was no longer the same. When he looked at me, there was only annoyance. “It’s not what you think, and stop throwing a tantrum.” Lucas’s tone was sharp, and he reached out to pull me. “No matter what, you shouldn’t have gone to provoke Willow. Come with me now and apologize to her.” Before I could struggle free, his phone rang. He hadn’t been on the call long when his face suddenly changed, and he glared fiercely at me. “Willow fainted because of you! You’d better pray she’s okay, or I swear, we’re done!” After Lucas left, I stared at the door that could no longer close properly, thinking all night. It was almost dawn when I finally went inside and packed my luggage. A relationship that had soured, no matter how much you tried to mend it, could never return to its original state. I used to think I could do something to keep him, but I forgot that someone who doesn’t love you won’t stay for you. I took one last look at the room where I’d lived for so many years. No matter how much I cherished it, I had to let go. It no longer belonged to me. Laughter and chatter drifted from outside. I pushed open the door and was stunned by the scene before me. Lucas was carefully helping Willow sit down, his face full of concern. But the moment his eyes met mine, his expression instantly turned cold. “Well, look at you, resting so comfortably at home.” “Willow was so upset she couldn’t sleep all night, and I was so worried I didn’t close my eyes either. And you? You have the nerve to sleep.” Willow leaned against him dependently, the intimacy between them so thick it left no room for a third person. It made me, his actual girlfriend, feel like an outsider. My heart ached, trembling, and even my freshly operated stomach began to throb faintly. Willow tugged on Lucas’s arm, her voice soft. “Lucas, don’t blame Scarlett. She only misunderstood me because she cares about you so much.” Before I could even speak, Lucas couldn’t sit still. “You don’t have to defend her. Don’t I know her? She’s just too stubborn, too jealous, she can’t stand me being good to anyone else.” Lucas completely ignored the pain in my eyes, stating self-righteously, “Willow is like this because of you. I brought her back here to recover, and you should take responsibility.” At this, he lifted his chin, speaking with a condescending tone. “For the next few days, you’ll take good care of Willow. Once she recovers, I might consider forgiving you.” “If you don’t agree, then we’re done.” He looked arrogant, as if he was certain I would compromise. In the past, I would have immediately lowered my guard and tried to appease him. Because I loved him, and I couldn’t bear for him to be even slightly unhappy. But all my compromises and concessions, in his eyes, had become leverage he could use against me. “Okay, then let’s be done.” Time seemed to freeze. Lucas’s smug expression instantly stiffened, his entire being radiating disbelief. After a long moment, he finally reacted, pointing at me, his finger trembling. “What did you say?” We’d had arguments over the years, but whenever he mentioned breaking up, no matter how angry or wronged I felt, I would immediately soften and beg him not to leave. But today, this trick, which had never failed, suddenly didn’t work. Lucas felt something slipping from his control, and his eyes twitched violently. With no desire to entangle with him further, I picked up my suitcase and strode away. Inside the room, Lucas stood frozen. When he came to his senses and moved to chase after me, Willow stopped him. “Don’t go after her. She’ll come back in a few days.” “She’s just doing this on purpose, trying to get your attention. I’m a woman, I know exactly what she’s thinking.” She looked knowing. “If you go after her now, she’ll just cause more trouble next time.” Seeing him still hesitate, Willow immediately put on a pitiful expression. “I’m still a bit dizzy. Can you stay and keep me company?” One sentence was enough to keep Lucas rooted. I went to the company’s temporary dorm, planning to go home after I resigned. The company I worked for now was Lucas’s. For years, I had worked my fingers to the bone, bringing in business and securing investments, striving to make his dreams come true. I’d thought that once his business was more stable, I’d go home with him, and perhaps my parents would finally accept us. Now, it seemed, there was no need. I called my mother. Before I could even speak, tears blurred my vision. Mom didn’t ask anything, just sighed. “My sweet girl, have you been wronged out there?” Like a child who had endured countless grievances and finally returned to her mother’s embrace, I sobbed uncontrollably. After composing myself, I softly said, “Mom, I broke up with him.” She seemed to have already guessed, her voice calm. “If you’re tired, come home. Home will always be your safe haven.” Dad was furious when he heard the news, but Mom quickly calmed him down. “Just calm down. Anyone who dares to bully my daughter, we won’t let them off easily.” My mind was a blank. I wearily hung up the phone. After a few days, I went to the company and submitted my resignation. As soon as the resignation letter was submitted, my phone rang. The moment I answered, Lucas’s enraged voice blasted through the phone. “Scarlett, what are you stirring up now?” “This project is crucial for the company. Don’t be childish, get back here and meet with the client immediately.” I cut him off. “I’ve already resigned. Find someone else to take over these matters.” The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then erupted with even more intense emotion. “You really want to do this, huh?” “Fine, if you won’t do it, plenty of others will. Don’t think you can threaten me like this.” As if to assert his dominance, Lucas immediately approved my resignation. He thought I wouldn’t last long before coming back to beg him, but after an entire morning, I showed no signs of backing down. He started to get restless, sending other colleagues several times to “talk sense” into me. I ignored them, continuing to pack my things. It turns out, when you truly don’t care about someone, nothing they do can stir any emotion in you. In the afternoon, I returned to my desk. Willow was sitting casually in my chair. My belongings were strewn carelessly to one side. She saw me and slowly straightened up. “Scarlett, this is all Lucas’s idea. He said this spot is mine now.” Then she got up and walked towards me, leaning in and lowering her voice into my ear. “It’s your fault for being so foolish and leaving. Now, I’m the one who gets to enjoy all the benefits here.” Watching her smug expression, I just found it amusing. I wondered where she got the confidence to think she could replace me. Over the years, I had poured countless hours and effort into propping up this company, which had long been riddled with hidden problems. Yet, she believed that simply sitting here meant enjoying a comfortable life. Well, I could only wish her success. Seeing her face fall, I forced a faint smile, took the box of items a colleague had helped me pack, thanked them, and turned to leave. I spent a few days saying goodbye to friends, then bent down to pack my last bag. From now on, I would be leaving this city for good. It held my best years, and my first love, which ended before it truly began. A bitter feeling rose in my chest. I closed my eyes, trying not to think. My phone suddenly rang, and Lucas’s exasperated voice came through. “Scarlett, you’re going too far! Did you say something to our partners that got Willow sidelined?” Before I could explain, he ordered, “Get your butt back here! This order is critical for the company’s performance this half. If you mess it up because of this, we’re truly done!” His absurd, arrogant words made me laugh. Why did he think I still cared? “Didn’t you say you could manage perfectly well without me? Then go find someone else.” With that, ignoring his angry shouts, I hung up and immediately blocked his number. Once everything was packed, I opened the door and headed for the airport, ready to bid farewell to the city I’d called home for so many years. I hadn’t gone far when a silver BMW screeched to a halt in front of me. The car door flew open, and Lucas rushed out, throwing his briefcase violently at me. It hit my recently operated stomach directly. My face instantly went pale, and I was in too much pain to utter a sound. “Have you made enough of a scene?” He furiously kicked my suitcase away, then grabbed my collar. “Are you really that petty? Just because I didn’t put you in charge of this project, you have to sabotage it behind my back?” Sweat poured down my face from the pain, and I gritted my teeth. “If the deal fell through, it’s because Willow isn’t capable enough. It has nothing to do with me.” Lucas scoffed, his eyes full of contempt. “Do you think I’ll believe that?” “You could land these clients, how could she not?” “I think you’re just jealous of her.” I was so angry I actually laughed, looking him straight in the eye. “She’s so capable, why don’t you just go to her? What are you doing coming to me?” He looked down on my abilities, yet still wanted me to go back and slave for him. Did he really think I was that worthless? The deals he thought were so easy to close were ones I had poured my heart and soul into, sacrificing my health, fighting desperately to secure. With a few dismissive words, he negated all my years of effort, making my hard work seem utterly meaningless. Lucas’s face cycled through shades of green and white, looking terrible. Seeing me about to leave, he forcefully dragged me towards the car. “No matter what you say today, you’re coming with me to fix this first!” My limbs were weak from the pain, and I gasped, begging him, “My stomach hurts really badly, please, take me to a pharmacy first.” He laughed, infuriated. “Are you addicted to faking illness?” “Even if you’re dying of pain today, you’re going to fix this client situation for me first.” My fingertips turned completely cold. I clutched my stomach with difficulty, staring at him in disbelief. The man I had loved for so many years could actually say such a thing. He could actually watch me die of pain and remain completely indifferent. Well, isn’t that just wonderful. Hatred surged within me. My eyes filled with a resolute glint as I stared fixedly at him.
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