Emma's POV

I struggled to open my eyes, and there, inches from me was Chase's face. His chiseled features looked unusually gentle under the dim light.

"Chase..." I whispered his name, and just like that, the tears I’d been holding back flooded out.

"He... how could he do this to me?" The words came out broken, as the full weight of everything hit me all at once.

Chase didn’t say anything. He just wrapped his arm around me, gently patting my back, like he was trying to comfort a child.

I leaned into him, crying in a way I hadn’t in years, letting go of all the hurt and frustration I’d been bottling up for the past seven years.

Chase didn’t rush me. He just quietly led me away from the noisy bar, his presence a steady anchor as we stepped into the cool night air. The breeze on my face helped clear my mind, just a little.

"Emma, let me take you home." His voice was soft, almost tentative like he didn’t want to disturb me more than I already was.

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want to go back... it’s all his memories there..."

Chase was silent for a beat, then he spoke again, his tone gentle but firm. "Come to my place. I’ll make you some hangover soup."

I nodded without much thought, still in a daze, and let him guide me.

The hangover hit harder than I expected. I woke up in an unfamiliar bed, my head pounding like it was being drilled into. I groggily sat up, grabbed the water cup on the nightstand, and drank it all in one go.

Only then did I realize—I wasn’t at my place. I was at Chase’s.

The minimalist decor—black, white, and gray—was spotless and gave off a cool, almost sterile vibe. It felt distant.

I looked around, trying to piece together last night’s events, but all I could remember were flashes of my tears, Chase’s comforting arms, and the weight of everything crashing down on me.

Before I could gather my thoughts, my phone rang, breaking the silence.

The name "Jason" flashed on the screen.

I hesitated for a moment before finally answering.

"Emma! Where did you go last night? Why didn’t you come home?" Jason’s voice came through, full of anger and confusion.

"Do I really need to report to you where I went? Jason, we’ve broken up." I tried to keep my voice steady, but the phone felt like it was burning in my hand.

My fingers were trembling, betraying me.

"Broken up? Emma, don’t forget we haven’t officially broken off our engagement! Who were you with last night? Was it that Chase?"

His voice grew louder, the suspicion in it thickening.

I scoffed, the bitterness in my laugh sharp. "Jason, your imagination’s running wild. Even if I was with someone, it’s none of your business."

"Emma, you better tell me the truth! If you’re messing around behind my back, I swear I won’t let you off!" His voice cracked with anger, his words frantic.

I couldn’t take it.

I didn’t want to hear it anymore.

I hung up the phone, my hand shaking as I pressed the button.

...

After saying goodbye to Chase and stumbling back home, I immediately noticed something was wrong.

A pair of high heels—someone else’s—were carelessly discarded at the door. A single stocking was thrown across the sofa, and the air was thick with the scent of perfume.

I didn’t recognize it.

A cold, sinking feeling washed over me, like something in the pit of my stomach had just dropped.

From the bathroom, I could hear the sound of rushing water—and a woman’s laughter, light and flirtatious, echoing through the apartment.

I froze, and my blood turned cold. My heart pounded in my chest, louder with every step I took toward the bathroom door.

Without thinking, I pushed it open.

What I saw shattered me in an instant.

Ava was standing naked under the showerhead, and Jason was gently wiping her down with a towel.

"Jason, you’re so kind..." Ava purred, her voice sweet and sickeningly fake.

"Ah, Jason, you’re hurting me..." she complained playfully, the words dripping with seduction.

Jason’s voice was soft, and soothing, as if he were talking to a fragile child. "Baby, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you? I’ll be gentler... gentler..."

I stood frozen in the doorway, the weight of it all crashing down on me. My mind went blank, the buzzing in my head growing louder.

Ava saw me. Far from being flustered or embarrassed, she smirked a cold, dismissive smile that said everything I needed to know.

I was nothing to her.

And Jason?

He was right there, wiping her body like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I felt like I had been struck by lightning, my world crumbling in an instant.

Emma's POV

"Uhm, Jason, look, Emma's here," Ava said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

Jason turned his head, and for a split second, I saw panic flash across his face. But just as quickly, he masked it with a practiced calm.

"I was just helping Ava... wipe her body. She slipped, you know how her health is..." he stammered, trying to cover up his lie, but it only made my stomach churn.

"Don’t lie to me," I snapped. "I’m not stupid."

A surge of anger boiled up from deep within me, and before I could stop myself, my hand shot out, slapping him hard across the face.

"You two are naked in each other’s arms, just 'wiping each other down'? Jason, do you really think I’m blind?"

"Jason! Are you okay?" Ava suddenly threw on a bathrobe, rushing to him with feigned concern, her hand gently caressing his red cheek as if it were all too much for her to handle.

"Emma, please, don’t be mad. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come here... I shouldn’t have..."

Watching her play the victim made me feel sick to my stomach.

She was the one who destroyed everything between us.

Now, was she pretending to be innocent?

The hypocrisy was unbearable.

"Cut the act!" I hissed. "You knew he was engaged, yet you still went after him. You’re nothing but a shameless homewrecker."

Ava seemed taken aback, retreating behind Jason and starting to sob. "Jason, I’m so scared..."

Then, before I could process what was happening, Jason shoved me hard, sending me crashing to the ground. My head hit the cold tile with a jarring thud.

"Emma, are you done yet?" he snapped.

"I told you! Ava and I haven’t done anything! Why can’t you stop acting crazy?"

Then, without warning, he slapped me across the face. The pain spread like wildfire, and I covered my cheek, still in shock.

Was this really the man I had loved for seven years?

My heart felt like it was frozen like I had fallen into an icy pit, and every breath I took felt sharp and bitter.

"Jason, we're done! Let's forget about the wedding. I’m not marrying you anymore!" I shouted, my voice shaking with hurt and anger.

Jason seemed to brush it off as if it were nothing more than a tantrum. He sneered, then casually scooped Ava into his arms and started toward the door.

I struggled to push myself up from the floor, the pain in my head making everything blur. My vision wavered in and out of focus.

How pathetic.

I was still hoping, still holding on to the faintest hope that he would turn around and explain himself.

"Jason, stop right there!" I called out, my voice desperate.

He paused, turned around, and gave me a look full of disdain like I was beneath him. "Emma, stop making a scene. The more you act like this, the more I’ll hate you."

Tears began to fall without warning. They felt hot against my cold skin, and I could taste the bitterness on my lips.

I fought to stand, my legs unsteady as I stumbled toward the mirror.

The reflection staring back at me was unrecognizable: messy hair, pale skin, eyes swollen from crying. I looked like a mess—nothing like the confident woman I once was.

I had been with Jason for seven years.

From elementary school to college, we were inseparable. Everyone saw us as the perfect couple, destined to get married right after graduation.

I gave up my chance to study abroad for him, chose to stay in the city, and dedicated my whole life to building a future with him.

I thought our love was unbreakable. I thought he was my rock. I thought...

But now, it was all just an illusion. A ridiculous dream.

Seven years. Over a thousand days and nights. I gave him my heart, my youth—everything. And for what?

I had been such a fool.

Emma's POV

I stumbled out of the bathroom, everything around me blurring as I tried to steady myself. Leaning against the wall for support, I slowly made my way to the living room and collapsed onto the couch.

Jason, however, was still in the other room, trying to comfort Ava as if nothing had happened. "Hey, hey, Ava, stop crying," he said gently. "It’s all Emma’s fault. Let’s just forget about her."

"Get some rest. Tomorrow, we’re going to the amusement park," he added, his tone soft and reassuring.

I felt my energy draining, both physically and emotionally. I didn’t want to fight anymore.

I was just... so tired.

From the room, Ava’s delicate voice floated toward me. "Jason, I’m a bit hungry..."

Jason’s reply was gentle. "What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you."

I couldn’t take it anymore.

Grabbing my bag, I stormed out of the door, the night air cooled against my face, but it couldn’t shake the chill in my heart.

...

Memories flooded my mind, crashing over me like a tidal wave. The sweet past now felt like sharp knives, stabbing me repeatedly in the chest.

Jason had always struggled with his stomach. Because he couldn’t cook, I took it upon myself to care for him—making fresh meals for him three times a day. His stomach couldn’t handle spicy food, so I gave it up, even though I loved chili.

He liked fish, so I bought the freshest catch every day, even though I was allergic to the smell.

I treated him like a mother would, making sure every little detail was perfect. But now, looking back, I see how foolish I was.

He could cook. He knew how.

But he pretended to be helpless, using me like a free maid, taking my care for granted.

I opened our chat history—seven years’ worth of messages.

They used to sparkle with the happiness and sweetness of our love. But now, all they did was leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

I scrolled to a conversation from a month ago.

[Emma, I’m working overtime tonight. Can’t have dinner with you.]

[Emma, I’ve got a client tonight. Can’t go to the movies.]

[Emma, I’m busy tonight...]

A string of "can’ts," each one landing like a slap to my face, harsh and unrelenting.

I kept scrolling, backtracking to two months ago.

[Jason, you’ve been working overtime a lot lately. You need to take care of yourself.]

[I know, Emma. You’re so good.]

[Don’t overwork yourself. Come back early.]

[Okay, I will.]

I continued scrolling—three months ago, four months ago.

The contrast between my care and his indifference was so stark it almost hurt. And then, it hit me: six months ago, Jason had started pulling away.

He’d been working late, and going on business trips more often. Back then, I was naïve enough to think it was all for us—that he was working hard for our future. I understood, I sympathized.

But little did I know, all that 'hard work' was just him sneaking around with Ava.

I kept scrolling, reaching messages from a year ago.

[Jason, I saw Ava today... she seems to have feelings for you...]

[Don’t overthink it. She’s just a friend.]

[But...]

[Emma, trust me.]

At the time, I truly believed him. I thought I was just being paranoid, imagining things. Now, I realized how wrong I had been. I had been so blind.

I squeezed my eyes shut, and took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. When I opened them again, the sadness in my eyes had been replaced by a calm determination.

My phone vibrated.

Right there, Jason’s name flashed on the screen.

[Emma, I’m sorry. I was wrong earlier. I shouldn’t have hit you. Please don’t be mad. Come back... it’s cold outside.]

His message stung, but I couldn’t help but feel a cold resolve setting in.