At the annual company party, my boyfriend of three years openly flirted with the beautiful new secretary right in front of everyone.

Without hesitation, I kicked him and his family out of my house where they had been freeloading for all this time.

Humiliated and angry, he lashed out: "Sarah, this is all because you can't even get pregnant! Three years together and not a single child. If you just accept Amy in our relationship, you can still be the lady of this house!"

Later on, his company was investigated for fraud. He ended up in prison, and to top it all off, it turned out the child wasn't even his to begin with.

The company was holding its third anniversary celebration, and as one of the founding employees, I made sure to dress my best for the occasion.

Today wasn't just any company party - it was supposed to be the day James Sullivan would propose to me. We'd been together for three years, and when we first met, I'd given him $500,000 as startup capital for his company.

Three years later, the company was thriving, and James had achieved his dream of becoming CEO. He told me he appreciated everything I'd done for him and wanted to propose at the anniversary party. I'd been looking forward to this day for so long.

But reality came crashing down like a bucket of cold water. Instead of the proposal I'd been expecting, I watched as the new secretary took what should have been my moment in the spotlight.

Her name was Lisa Garrett. Fresh out of college this year, she was sweet-faced with long, slender legs that turned heads. Within days of joining the company, she'd attracted quite a lot of admirers. She'd always been floating between her many suitors - I had no idea when she and James had gotten together.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the festive New Year atmosphere, but everyone was letting loose. James and I should have been the center of attention, but instead, he was pressed up against Lisa playing Truth or Dare.

Lisa was already quite tipsy, her cheeks flushed pink. She gave James a sweet smile and said, "Oh my, you're too good at this, Mr. Sullivan. I lost again. I choose Dare this time."

James looked sharp in his suit and tie, giving off that powerful executive vibe, but I could see the hunger in his eyes that he couldn't hide.

The crowd around them caught on quickly, chanting, "Cross arms! Drink together!"

Under everyone's teasing gaze, James wrapped his arm around Lisa's waist as they did the intimate drinking gesture.

He knew how much I despised cheaters, yet here he was doing this to me. It felt like a knife to my heart. What happened to the gentle, caring man who promised to be my rock?

The pain was unbearable, and the betrayal left me gasping for air. James's doting smile and Lisa's shy glances felt like daggers in my eyes.

I knew this was James's way of challenging me. He'd always been unhappy with how I regularly asked him to spend more time at home instead of at work. This was his way of putting me in my place.

Too bad for him - I wasn't going to play along. Instead, this day showed me his true ugly nature.

If he thought he could control me? Not a chance.

...

James and I usually commuted together, but tonight, with his new companion, I knew he wouldn't be coming home. He didn't even think about me when he took the car.

I was left standing in the cold wind, trying to get a taxi.

It was past 2 AM when I checked my phone. Being so late on New Year's, I waited in the freezing cold for half an hour without seeing any taxis.

The traffic thinned out as snow began to fall, quickly coating the world in a thick white blanket.

It was like stepping into a fairy tale, with large snowflakes landing on my shoulders. I got lost in the sight, remembering my first New Year's with James when it had snowed just like this.

We weren't well-off back then. On New Year's Eve, we ate street food because the restaurant was too crowded.

James had gently brushed the snow from my hair, holding my face with a serious expression.

"Sarah, do you regret being with me?" he'd asked.

I couldn't understand why he'd ask that. To me, he was the only person who'd ever been so good to me. How could I regret it?

I'd jumped up to give him a big hug, giggling in his ear: "Meeting you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me."

He'd hugged me back so tight I could barely breathe. "Meeting you was my blessing. I promise I'll make lots of money in the future and make you the happiest person alive!"

Now I walked aimlessly through the snow, thinking how ridiculous those sweet memories and promises seemed. He had plenty of money now, but instead of keeping his promise, he'd transferred all that affection to his mistress.

Sure enough, men really do change once they get money.

Tonight, James and Lisa were the ones having all the fun.

The snow was falling heavily, and a thin layer of ice had formed over the tire tracks on the road. A car was moving slowly along the street.

I forced my nearly-frozen legs to run toward it - if I missed this one, I might actually freeze to death out here tonight.

The owner turned out to be a kind-hearted, handsome guy. Maybe it was because I looked so pitiful - crying and freezing - but he invited me into his car.

Once I was seated, he thoughtfully handed me a pack of tissues and asked casually, "Breakup?"

I was surprised he could tell, but instead of saying anything, I let my actions answer.

Noticing some bottles of liquor on the passenger seat, I picked one up and asked, "Can I drink this? I'll pay you."

He replied nonchalantly, "Sure, but you'll have to pay extra if you mess up the car."

With his permission, I started drinking straight from the bottle. "I'm letting loose tonight. Tomorrow, I'm kicking that cheating jerk back to wherever he came from!"

...

When I next opened my eyes, I was in a hospital with an IV in my arm.

"Don't move. You had a stomach hemorrhage from drinking too much last night. You just got out of surgery."

It was the same familiar voice - the kind, handsome driver.

His name was Travis Lewis, a gastroenterologist. He'd actually performed my surgery last night.

The liquor, car cleaning, surgery fees... We hadn't even known each other for twenty-four hours, and I already owed him so much!

I really couldn't remember what happened last night. Only fragments came back to me - crying to Travis while clutching the bottle, and throwing up on him when he tried to take it away.

I felt mortified. I'd made such a mess of this handsome doctor's night. I definitely needed to add compensation for emotional distress.

Suddenly, a 'ding' from my phone on the bedside table brought me back to reality.

James’s name flashed on the screen, and my heart sank a little. After three years together, it was impossible not to feel something.

Take a deep breath.

After composing myself, I calmly answered his call.

"What is it?"

"Mom said you didn't come home last night. Where are you?" His voice was urgent and somewhat accusatory.

I laughed softly and replied, "I'm wherever you were last night."

"Sarah, don't joke around. You know you're the one in my heart."

His words made me laugh even harder, tears streaming down my face.

"Aren't you the one joking? Remember what you did? You were flirting with Lisa in front of everyone last night."

The line went silent for a while before he finally said, "I'm sorry, I messed up. Let's get married tomorrow, okay?"

I replied softly, "Are you treating marriage like some kind of reward for me? Don't tell me you actually think you're such a catch. Why don't you say that to Lisa instead? I wish you both a happy life together."

After hanging up on James, I dialed another number.

"Is this the moving company?..."

My best friend rushed to the hospital after hearing about my surgery. When she learned what James had done, she started cursing him right there in the hospital, swearing to make him pay.

Susan Tanner and I were old classmates. After graduation, most of our college friends got busy with their own lives and naturally lost touch, but since Susan and I lived in the same city, we hung out often.

Our relationship grew closer, and now we're best friends.

Seeing Susan getting so worked up for me made me feel a bit better.

"I've already called the moving company to throw out everything in my house."

"What good is throwing things out when his mother is still there? I'll have Chris keep an eye on things."

As she spoke, her eyes twinkled mischievously, and a sly smile spread across her face.

"Look at you, moving from one romance to another! You just kicked out that jerk and already met a handsome doctor. Better not let this one slip away~"

...

The stomach hemorrhage was a minor surgery, and after a few days of recovery in the hospital, I returned home.

Without any of James's things, the house looked even better than before. Now everything was decorated in my mother's style, which I really loved.

After that phone call with James, he didn't call again, only sending me one text telling me to rest well. At the time, I thought he had finally realized how badly he'd messed up, but now it's clear he still doesn't understand how much his actions hurt me.

The very night I returned home, James showed up at my door. I stood thoughtfully by the entrance, listening to his pleading voice from outside for what felt like forever.

It was already past eleven at night. Being a considerate neighbor, I finally opened the door.

James stood there looking guilty, but when he saw me, his eyes lit up with barely contained joy as he reached out to hug me.

Looking at all the gift boxes scattered on the ground, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me.

I instinctively stepped back from his attempt to embrace me. Now, I wasn't just disappointed - I was disgusted.

James's smile turned awkward, but he pressed on: "I'm sorry, Sarah. It's all Lisa's fault. If she hadn't seduced me, I would never have done anything to hurt you."

His voice was so earnest that if you didn't listen to his actual words, he'd seem like an honest man wrongly accused.

I closed my eyes, not wanting to hear any more of his nonsense.

James started showing off the gifts he'd brought - three designer bags from different luxury brands and a credit card.

The irony was bitter. We'd built everything from scratch together - there wouldn't be a James Sullivan today without me. Yet here he was, trying to buy me off with these things, treating me just like any other woman.

Then he pulled out a small, elegant box from his pocket. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring as big as a bean.

James got down on one knee, his voice thick with emotion.

"I know I made a mistake, but I promise I'll never do anything like this again. You're the only one I truly love! Will you-"

"No!" I cut him off before he could finish. "You think a few designer bags will change my mind? What kind of person do you think I am? Remember how you built that company of yours - you think I care about this junk? Drop the innocent act. There's no audience here, so who are you performing for? And thanks for showing me my first living example of a pity engagement ring."

I tried to close the door, but I hadn't expected James to lose his temper. “Know your place, don't be so ungrateful!”

He yanked me outside and raised his hand to slap me.

I froze, but the expected pain never came.

It was Travis. He had caught James's wrist mid-swing and tossed it aside like something filthy.

He frowned, his eyes dark. "So this is your good for nothing ex-boyfriend?"

His comment caught me off guard, and I could only nod dumbly.

"Yes."

Travis added, "I know some good ophthalmologists. We should get your eyes checked sometime."

James caught the insult and his face reddened.

"Sarah Bernett, who is this guy? This is between us - we don't need outsiders involved!"

James had directed the question at me, but Travis answered instead.

“I’m Miss Bernett's current boyfriend. It's not very proper to lurk outside someone's home this late. Would you prefer to leave on your own, or should I call security?"

"Thank you, Dr. Lewis."

If Travis hadn't shown up when he did, I don't know what would have happened. My gratitude toward him grew even stronger.

"It's nothing. You're my patient - can't have you getting injured again or all my work would be wasted." His voice was neutral, showing no particular emotion.

Still, I was surprised to run into Travis again. "Dr. Lewis, what brings you here?"

Instead of answering, he walked to a nearby door and smoothly entered a security code.

"This is my home."