Two years ago, when the company opened its first branch in Springdale, Grace, one of the senior managers, immediately offered me a position.

Back then, James hadn’t started his own company yet, so I wanted us to move to Springdale and settle down there. After all, this was just a mid-sized city, while Springdale was on the coast and ranked among the top-tier cities. There were more opportunities there. However, James said there was no need to move so far or live in a city.

Just like back when he proposed, he only showed up with a simple ring. There were no decorations or romantic setup—nothing.

When I asked him why he didn’t plan something special, he just brushed it off and said, “There’s no need. You were going to say yes anyway.”

Yet, when it came to Paris’s birthday party, he went all out, saying that it was worth the effort.

This time, I decided I’d finally live for myself.

“My family's in Springdale, Grace. Please put in a referral for me. I’ll get all the application documents ready.”

Grace gave me a warm, encouraging smile. “Good. I’m glad you’ve made up your mind.”

Two days later, I passed the virtual interview and got the job. The boss told me to wrap up my work here and head to the Springdale branch as soon as possible. Therefore, I spent New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day holed up in the office, tying up loose ends.

Monday came, and I was still working late. Just as Grace was about to leave, she turned around and walked back with a smirk.

She leaned in and whispered, “Casey, your man’s here.”

I stood up and slowly made my way outside, where James was sitting by the door.

“Are you still working?” he asked. “I thought I’d spend the holiday with you.”

“Oh… yesterday was New Year’s, huh?”

I glanced at the calendar. I’d been so swamped I’d lost all sense of time.

James took the bag from my hand and pressed the elevator button.

“I heard from Grace that you’re transferring to the Springdale branch?”

“Yeah,” I replied flatly.

His expression shifted, clearly unhappy. “That’s a big decision. Why didn’t you talk to me about it first?”

I gave him a side glance. “I called you the day before yesterday. You didn’t pick up.”

James frowned and opened the passenger door for me. He looked down as he said, “Let’s celebrate New Year’s today instead. How about that farm-to-table place you liked? You said the food was great.”

“Sure.”

He then set the GPS, and we got on the freeway. However, not long after, his phone rang. It was Paris, again.

“James, my stomach hurts so bad. I can barely breathe… Can you come and stay with me? It won’t hurt if you’re here. Please, hurry…”

Just as I expected, a flicker of panic appeared on James’s usually composed face. He looked over at me.

“Paris’s stomach is hurting. It’s probably a complication from the miscarriage. I need to be there for her.”

I closed my eyes and nodded. “Go ahead.”

James let out a quiet sigh of relief. He pulled into the nearest freeway rest stop and dropped me off without a second thought before speeding away.

Half an hour later, my rideshare finally arrived.

The driver looked at me, standing alone with nothing but a bag, and asked, “Miss, what are you doing here all by yourself at a freeway rest stop?”

I stared out the window at the endless traffic and said softly, “Someone left me here.”

In the past, getting left behind would’ve shattered me. I would’ve screamed, cried, and lost control, but now I just felt calm.

Not long after I got in the car, Paris posted in the group chat.

[My stomach hurts so much, and I'm out of painkillers. What should I do?]

James replied instantly. [Don’t worry. I’ll be there in five minutes.]

I smiled to myself. Honestly, if those two didn’t end up together again, it’d be a disservice to everyone watching from the sidelines.

In the middle of the night, James actually came back. Before, whenever he went to Paris’s place, he’d always stay overnight.

This time, he slid into bed beside me, wrapped an arm around my waist, and whispered, “Baby, your birthday’s the day after tomorrow. I’ll spend it with you.”

I frowned and quietly moved his hand away.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want me there for your birthday?” he asked.

“You’re going to leave again.”

“No, I won’t,” he said seriously, like he meant it.

Then came my birthday, and to my surprise, James didn’t bail for once. He actually planned something.

“Baby, open your gift. It’s the first time we’re celebrating your birthday together.”

I bit my lip. So he did know this was the first time.

In front of me was a giant gift box, almost as tall as my thigh. My heart fluttered a little.

The moment I lifted the lid, a fluffy little Alaskan Malamute jumped out and barked excitedly.

My face went pale.

“This puppy has amazing genetics. It’s show-level. It took me forever to find it.”

James leaned in, looking pleased with himself.

The dog had been thoroughly groomed, and someone had tied a pink bow around its neck. It was clear James had put in a lot of effort for this. However, it seemed he had forgotten that I had a deep fear of dogs.

Back in middle school, I was mauled by one. It ripped two chunks of flesh out of my leg. Even now, I panic when I see one.

It was Paris who loved dogs, and her whole house was filled with them.

“Do you like it?” James asked, holding the puppy up again, his eyes full of hope. “Paris loves–”

I took two steps back, trembling. “James, I was attacked by a dog when I was younger. I have trauma. I can’t be around them. Please, keep it away from me.”

James froze, confused for a few seconds. A flicker of surprise crossed his dark eyes.

That dog tried to jump on me the moment he let it loose. I was so scared I bolted straight back into the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind me.

It took a while before James finally came in. He slipped his arms around me from behind and whispered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were afraid of dogs. I’ve sent it away.”

“Mm.” I gave a quiet, indifferent response.

It was only then that I realized James didn’t know me at all.

We’d been together for five years, and I could list every one of his preferences without hesitation. However, when it came to me, he knew nothing.

On the contrary, he had broken up with Paris eight years ago, and he could still list all her likes and dislikes like it were yesterday.

“Don’t be mad, okay?” he said gently in the dark. “I’m free tomorrow. Let’s go get married then.”

His voice was soft and affectionate.

I had told myself I’d be strong this time—that I wouldn’t give in, but my heart betrayed me again. I thought I’d give him one last chance.

The next morning, I did my makeup and put on my prettiest outfit. James, too, changed into a sharp suit and drove me to the courthouse. This time, he even turned his phone to airplane mode and used mine for navigation.

We didn’t speak the whole ride there, but it wasn’t awkward. When we arrived at the courthouse, we took a number and waited in line.

Just then, James’s phone suddenly started buzzing. I looked at him, calm and composed. I already knew he couldn’t resist checking it.

Noticing my gaze, James guiltily stuffed the phone into his pocket, but it kept vibrating.

I glanced at the screen overhead. Only one more couple ahead of us, and then it would be our turn.

“Go ahead and answer it,” I said. “You’re so distracted, you’ll probably sign the wrong name anyway.”

He hesitated for a couple of seconds and then nodded. When he answered, a weak female voice came through the speaker.

“James, my stomach’s bleeding. I’m at the hospital. The doctor said it’s a complication from the abortion. Can you come? Please?”

“I’m getting married,” James replied, visibly tense. “I can’t leave right now.”

He kept glancing at me with nervous eyes, and I stared at him coldly.

Then, another voice came on the line. It was sharper and familiar. It wasn’t Paris. It sounded more like her best friend, Alisa.

“James! Paris is in critical condition! She said if you don’t show up, she’s not going through with the surgery. Do you want her to die? You can get married anytime. She had an abortion for you! And now you won’t even show up for her when she’s bleeding out?”

James lowered his phone. He opened his mouth a few times, trying to speak, before staying silent again.

“Go to her,” I said quietly, lowering my eyes.

He let out a deep sigh and launched into a long explanation, trying to justify himself, but in the end, he left. Before going, his handsome face was filled with guilt.

“I don’t want to go,” he said, looking torn. “But she really needs me right now. Just give me one hour. I swear, I’ll be back in an hour, okay?”

Instead of responding, I just stared at him, expressionless.

James sighed again, frustration flaring in his voice as he ran a hand through his hair.

“You know she had an abortion for me…”

I nodded calmly. “Go. But this time… I’m not waiting for you.”

I watched him walk away and then dropped the number slip into the trash. My chest ached again.

Coming here with him today had taken all the strength I had. If we had gotten married, I would’ve forgiven him and taken him home to meet my parents. Now, I guess I was going to Springdale alone.

That night, James didn’t come home. However, he called, and we talked for over half an hour.

When I hung up, I felt confused. Normally, whenever he was with Paris, she would never let him call me. She hated it when he even texted me, so why was tonight different?

The next day, I went to the office to pack my things. I planned to leave for Springdale in three days.

After I finished packing, everyone came to see me off. I stood by the front doors, eyes red, waving goodbye to old colleagues and friends.

“Congratulations on the promotion, Casey! We wish you the best!”

I smiled, a little reluctantly. “Come visit me in Springdale if you get the chance!”

One of the more gossipy coworkers gave me a wink and asked playfully, “Isn’t it weird though? Your husband actually agreed for you to transfer to Springdale?”

I smiled faintly and replied, “He’s not my husband. We didn’t get married. We broke up.”

The moment I spoke, I felt a heated, panicked gaze on my back. I turned around to see that James was standing right behind me.