How wonderful! It turned out he had found the love of his life.

And I was on the receiving end of a scolding phone call from my advisor.

“Do you want to delay graduation? Do you even know which big shot is coming to hear your thesis defense?”

“You’re not off dating again, are you? Everyone’s saying you’ve latched onto some sugar daddy. What kind of man would need you to cling to him personally?”

I didn’t even know how I made it through the call. All I could feel was the fever burning through me.

I booked a hotel room for myself, then asked the front desk to send up some medicine.

When I opened the door to get the medicine, there she was, Liam’s fiancée.

She was just like him, flawless, elegant, every strand of hair in place. Even in her simplicity, she radiated an untouchable nobility.

As Liam opened the door, she threw herself into his arms.

He held her close, then shot me a cold, impatient glance. The message was clear: Why haven’t you left yet?

My fever clouded my mind and hot tears streamed down my face.

I would leave.

I would leave so far away, no trace left behind.

I would follow my advisor’s instructions and never again let myself be tangled in anything to do with Liam.

The waiter who had brought me the medicine nervously asked where it hurt and if I needed to go to the hospital.

But Liam didn’t say a word, as though whether I lived or died was of no consequence to him.

Even his fiancée asked quietly, “What’s wrong with that young lady? She looks really unwell.”

Liam pulled her into the room and answered flatly, “Don’t worry about her.”

That indifference cut deeper than anything else.

***

After taking the medicine, I curled up against the cold.

I dreamt of Liam again.

Even in my fevered state, he wouldn't let me go.

I had been adopted by a couple who couldn't have children, but when they later had a son, they saw raising me as nothing more than a way to eventually sell me for a bride price.

I couldn’t accept that fate, so I ran away, seeking help from the government, from anyone who would listen.

By some strange twist, I ended up receiving financial aid from Liam.

He even added me on WhatsApp, though he never sent a single message until my adoptive parents created a scene in front of him.

They claimed I was just a toy he had been keeping.

They said he had ruined their daughter and demanded compensation!

They threw tantrums, rolling on the ground.

Liam looked at them with pure disgust. I felt my face burn with shame, wanting nothing more than to disappear.

Liam paid them a so-called bride price and, in the end, had them arrested for extortion.

That was the first time I met him face-to-face.

My clothes were torn, ripped by my parents as they dragged and hit me.

Liam stood there, untouched by the chaos surrounding us.

He took off his suit jacket and draped it over me.

“It’s handled. Go back and focus on your studies.”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I liked him, but I was too afraid to admit it.

That was why I couldn’t refuse him when he was drunk.

My dreams swirled with those hazy, lustful four years.

He seemed to truly enjoy my body, to want me in a way that felt like he couldn’t live without me.

He promised me forever and said he wanted me by his side for life.

And I believed him.

But now, looking back, how could I have ever believed anything a man said in bed?

Then, the truth hit me.

Liam was getting married.

He didn’t need me anymore.

I opened my eyes; the fever was finally gone and I was clear-headed.

This fleeting entanglement, this dream, was finally over.

***

Right now, I am interning at Liam’s company.

I submitted my resignation to HR and they informed me that I would need to undergo a three-day handover process.

No one at the company knew about my past with Liam.

He seemed to take extra care of people like me, those who might try to latch onto him.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message from him. [Come over.]

Had he found out about my resignation?

Nervously, I went to his office and knocked on the door.

But when the door opened, it was his fiancée who stood there.

That sweet, delicate girl was wearing one of Liam’s dress shirts.

“Hi, I’m Salome Amadeo. You left something in our room.”

In her hand was my employee ID badge.

Liam glanced at me, his eyes cold and indifferent.

It was a look I knew all too well, the same one he had given my shameless parents.

He thought I had deliberately left my ID in his room.

I was utterly humiliated, feeling like nothing more than the "other woman."

"Hello, Miss Salome," I said, my voice trembling. "I’m President Grasso’s assistant. I must've dropped my work badge while setting up the proposal venue."

"I’m not mad. Your face is so red from nerves." Salome winked at me.

"Last night, Liam proposed to me," she continued with a smile. "I want to hold the wedding here. You know, they don’t allow divorce in Ireland. I hope you can help out."

"Okay."

It felt like a thousand needles were lodged in my throat.

I had spent four years with Liam, no title and no promises, while she had been proposed to just last night and was already preparing for her wedding today.

Salome turned to Liam and threw herself into his arms.

"Let’s go pick out a wedding dress!"

While they eagerly prepared for their wedding, I was left running in circles.

I had to pull strings and spend money just to get a spot at the hottest church in town.

I dug deep to find the best wedding videographers.

I even had to tag along as they chose dresses and rings.

When Salome slipped into her gown, she pursed her lips, lifting her foot slightly toward me.

I instantly understood and despite the sting of humiliation, I knelt to help her slide on her shoes.

The moment I first saw Salome, I knew. She was cut from the same cloth as Liam, raised in wealth, accustomed to commanding with effortless grace.

She studied me, her gaze sharp.

“Assistant Amadeo, we look a little alike. No wonder Liam kept you around.”

I knew. We were about seventy percent alike.

From the moment I saw her this morning, everything clicked.

So that’s why Liam had sponsored me.

So that’s why he’d lost control in his drunken haze and pinned me beneath him.

So that’s why he’d whispered “Sweetheart” while tangled in sheets.

It turned out I was merely a cheap replacement.

I carefully wiped the dust from her shoe’s heel.

“Looking like you is my honor.”

Salome raised her foot, the stiletto heel landing squarely on the back of my hand.

“I was originally going to marry someone else. But Liam was so devoted, I gave him a chance.”

I didn’t want to feel anything. I didn’t want to care. But still, my eyes filled with tears.

The man I’d longed for, the one I could never have, had become an afterthought to someone else.

Liam walked in, dressed in a suit and as Salome stepped off my hand, her sharp heel nearly pierced my skin.

I clenched my jaw, biting down hard on my lower lip, as tears spilled from my eyes, big and heavy.

It was okay, Anya.

It did not hurt.

It did not hurt at all.

Salome helped Liam fix his tie, teasing him about how handsome he looked, before standing on tiptoe to kiss him.

I straightened myself up, but through the floor-length mirror, I caught a glimpse of Liam’s gaze.

He was looking at me.

His expression was unreadable and for a fleeting second, I thought I saw a flicker of pity.

But as our eyes met, he quickly turned away, shifting his attention to Salome and adjusting her hair.

***

The entire day was spent shopping with them, my feet aching in high heels. Yet, no ring seemed good enough for Salome.

She let go of Liam and came over to me, proudly showing off a 10-carat diamond ring from her friend.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked, her voice full of pride.

I smiled and nodded, though it was hard to pretend I hadn’t already heard the endless stories of how much Liam adored her, how he spoiled her, how he’d give her the world.

But just then, the crowd around us erupted into chaos.

It seemed like a protest or some kind of demonstration had broken out.

Liam tried to make his way toward us, but the crowd surged, pulling us in opposite directions.

For once, Liam seemed genuinely alarmed.

He shouted toward me, “Protect her!”

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly; what a joke.

But despite the absurdity, I still moved to shield her, trying to push her closer to him.

Yet, Salome shoved me aside, stepping forward as she made her way toward Liam.

In the midst of their embrace, a stranger’s hands gripped me tightly.

It wasn’t an accident; someone was deliberately pulling me away.

Panic clawed at my chest and I screamed, but Liam never seemed to hear.

He was too focused on protecting the trembling Salome, guiding her through the chaos.

In that split second, I saw a flash of steel, a knife slicing through the air toward me.

Through the blur of movement, I caught sight of the bodyguard pulling up in the car.

Liam, still holding Salome, climbed into the vehicle and without a second glance, they drove off, leaving me behind.

It turned out it was just a protest.

After all the shouting and chaos, only a mess was left behind.

But my luck was terrible; out of nowhere, some madman slashed my face.

I ended up in the hospital for stitches.

By the time I made it back to the hotel, exhaustion took over and I collapsed into bed.

My fever, which had barely faded, flared up again.

I woke in the middle of the night, my eyes heavy with fatigue and found Liam curled up on the sofa, his fingers toying with a lighter.

The flickering flame mirrored his unpredictable, hot-and-cold personality.

His voice broke through the silence, full of irritation.

“Why didn’t you say anything when you came back? I nearly called the police. Do you have any idea how many times I tried reaching you? Salome’s been so worried, she’s only just managed to fall asleep.”

“Sorry, my phone died.”

I was drained, yet the words slipped out of me without thought, an instinct to apologize, to shrink in his presence.

Liam walked over, his hands suddenly gripping my face, inspecting the damage.

“What did the doctor say?”

“They said it might scar.”

“You’re so stupid!”

He snapped genuine anger in his voice.

“If it leaves a scar, who’s going to want you?”

I didn’t have the energy to defend myself, the weight of it all sinking in.

I could only lower my head, my voice barely a whisper, “Liam, can I please sleep a little longer?”

He released me as though a shock had jolted him.

In the stillness of the night, his voice softened, unexpectedly gentle.

“Sleep.”

As soon as my eyes fluttered shut, I felt myself slipping into sleep, but a faint touch brushed against the wound on my face.

He murmured, “You’re so easy to hurt. What will you do without me?”

It was probably just a dream.

I wouldn’t believe it.

I wouldn’t stay.

Absolutely not.

The next day arrived with Liam’s wedding photoshoot and rehearsal.

Salome came over, her hands full of a mascot costume.

“Assistant Amadeo, that scar doesn’t look good. Why not wear this to greet the guests?”

I glanced at Liam. He remained silent. So, I smiled and slipped on the mascot headpiece.

Through the fabric, I watched them share kisses and vows.

Tears welled up and spilled down my cheeks uncontrollably.

The air grew suffocating and sweat-drenched me.

The cut on my face pulsed with pain; the doctor had warned me it would scar.

All the pain combined to give me the courage I needed to leave Liam behind for good.

Tomorrow, once his wedding was over, I’d board my flight home and start fresh at a confidential agency.

It felt as though Liam sensed something and he turned his gaze toward me.

In the awkward mascot suit, I formed a heart shape with my hands, sending him a silent wish.

‘Liam, I hope you find happiness.’

After the rehearsal, everyone gathered to watch the playback.

When the moment arrived for them to exchange rings, Salome suddenly pouted and remarked, “It’s just missing a big diamond ring. Then everything would be perfect.”

Liam’s voice was soft as he comforted her, “You insisted on having the wedding in Ireland. I didn’t have time to prepare everything. But once we’re home, I’ll buy you the biggest diamond I can find.”

That night, Liam asked me to travel miles to retrieve a diamond ring.

It belonged to one of Salome’s friends.

I couldn’t fathom how much persuasion it had taken for Liam to convince her.

But I could already imagine the delight on Salome’s face when she saw it tomorrow.

And the cost?

I would have to push my exhausted body through a sleepless night, crossing a foreign land just to bring it back to him.

“Okay.”

Ever since Liam had once saved me, I had sworn to repay him, to return a great kindness with an even greater one.

I had kept my promise.

This would be the last thing I’d ever do for him.

At the wedding, Liam waited for me for what seemed like an eternity until a mascot figure stepped onto the stage, holding the diamond ring.

He reached out, about to slip it onto Salome’s finger when he suddenly noticed a dark red stain on the velvet box.

He exploded with fury, charging forward and ripping the mascot's head off.

But inside, it wasn’t me; it was the bodyguard who had accompanied me to fetch the ring.

“Why are you here? Where’s Anya?”

Liam’s face turned cold, the air thickening with tension.

“Special Assistant Amadeo said she was in a hurry to return for her thesis defense, so she wouldn’t be attending your wedding,” the bodyguard answered, repeating my words word for word, though his eyes betrayed the redness of his sorrow.

“Is she injured?” Liam’s voice sharpened, a sudden realization dawning on him.

The bodyguard hesitated, his words caught in his throat.

“Speak!” Liam bellowed, his fury rising.

The bodyguard trembled, his voice cracking with fear. “We were robbed on the road. They took our money, but they wouldn’t leave. It was as if they knew about the multi-million-dollar diamond ring in the car. We don’t know if it was greed or something else, but they insisted on searching Anya…”

“They found the ring in Anya’s underwear, but she refused to hand it over…” The bodyguard, standing nearly 1.8 meters tall, trembled with every word. “She said it was your engagement ring, but they cut off her two fingers.”

“What?!” Liam staggered, nearly losing his balance.

Salome rushed to steady him, but he swatted her hand away.

His fury turned on the bodyguard as he grabbed him by the collar. “I told you to protect her!”

Liam may have forgotten his instructions to me and the bodyguard: ‘Protect the ring and deliver it, no matter what.’

Liam’s fury was unmistakable. "I’m asking you! Where is she?"

“She was taken by the robbers.”

“She told us to deliver the ring and not delay your wedding with Salome.”

Liam’s legs buckled beneath him, his body collapsing to the ground. He understood the implications as a young girl was taken to a foreign land. My body could be rotting away and no one might even bother to recover it.

Congratulations to him. He was happily married with a wife and children.

Congratulations to me, my debts erased, grievances buried and never to see him again.