Emma's POV

I scoffed and quickly typed a reply: [No need, I’m staying at a hotel tonight.]

It didn’t take long for Jason to respond.

[Emma, don’t make a scene. What hotel are you staying at so late? Be a good girl and come back.]

I paused for a moment, but with all the resolve I had left, I typed: [Jason, let’s break up.]

The wedding was just a month away. Invitations had already gone out, the photos had already been taken, the banquet had been booked, and everything was set. I was just waiting to become a bride.

Now, it all felt like a cruel joke.

Out of nowhere, a black Maybach pulled up in front of me. The window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar face.

It was Chase.

He quickly stepped out, his face etched with concern. "Emma, are you okay? That jerk Jason, how could he hit you?"

As he spoke, he removed his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

The faint scent of his cologne—something unfamiliar but comforting—brought a small amount of peace to my shattered heart.

"I... I’m planning to break off my engagement with Jason," I said, my voice a little shaky but firm.

Chase stopped in his tracks for a brief moment, a flicker of surprise passing over his face before it quickly settled into a calm, concerned expression.

He then asked, "Emma, are you really sure? This isn’t something small."

Taking a deep breath, I answered with more conviction than I felt, "I’m sure. I don’t want to be lied to anymore, and I can’t keep wasting my time."

...

The next morning, I called the wedding planner and canceled everything—everything. I also informed all the guests.

Emily, the wedding planner, nearly cried when I told her over the phone. She went on about penalties, losses, and how "absurd" it was that I was backing out at the last minute.

I cut her off, coldly giving her Jason’s card number and telling her to deduct whatever was needed.

Once I hung up, the world around me felt quieter, like the pressure had finally let up.

Next came the dreaded task of notifying the guests. I created a group chat, added everyone, and typed:

[To my friends and family, I just wanted to let you know that Jason and I have called off the wedding. Sorry if this causes any inconvenience. Thanks for understanding.]

I set the group to [Do Not Disturb] and watched the notifications light up my phone screen, but I didn’t care.

I didn’t even flinch.

I knew what people would think. Most would assume I’d lost my mind. One month away from the wedding, and I was canceling it like it was nothing. Yeah, madness seemed about right.

Sure enough, Jason called, exactly as I expected. But instead of feeling even an ounce of guilt, it only fueled my anger.

I answered the phone with a bitter laugh. "What is it, Jason?"

He sighed. "Emma, can we... talk? I know you're really angry, but some things can’t be explained over the phone. Can we meet? Same place, the hotpot restaurant we used to go to?"

I hesitated, but deep down, I knew I needed closure. I agreed.

...

Later that evening, I put on delicate makeup, slipped into a bright red dress, and wore heels that clicked confidently as I walked.

I arrived at the entrance of the hotpot restaurant, and there he was—Jason, already seated at the table.

At first, I thought it was just him, but then, to my shock, I saw Ava walking out of the bathroom, looking like she owned the place.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief.

Ava was practically glued to Jason’s arm, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Jason said he wanted to bring me here for his favorite hotpot. You know this place, don’t you, Emma?"

I couldn’t help but scoff. "Yeah, I’m very familiar with it. After all, Jason and I came here countless times. Unlike some people who probably don’t even know what the signature dish is."

Ava’s smile faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, tightening her grip on Jason’s arm as if to stake her claim.

Emma's POV

"Jason, let's go inside. I’m starving," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

Jason glanced between me and Ava, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. But after a beat, he followed Ava inside without another word. I took a deep breath, mentally telling myself to stay calm, and followed them.

We sat at a table together, and the tension in the air was thick. Jason suddenly started serving me food, most of it being dishes I used to love. But now, looking at them, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Emma, try this. It's your favorite shrimp paste," he said, trying to sound cheerful.

He smiled at me like he was trying to please me, but I could see a smug little glint in his eyes. I scoffed and pushed the shrimp paste aside.

"I don’t like it anymore," I snapped.

Ava, always ready to insert herself into the drama, sweetly interrupted, "Jason, I love it. Serve it to me."

Without hesitation, Jason loaded her plate with a generous portion of shrimp paste. Ava took a bite, savoring it while throwing me a look full of challenges.

"Jason, you really brought me out just to watch you two act all lovey-dovey?" I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jason finally set down his chopsticks, his patience wearing thin. "Emma, can’t you be a little more understanding? How can you just cancel the wedding like this? Do you know the losses this will cause?"

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze sharp. "Jason, are you worried about money, or are you more concerned about your pathetic little pride?"

His face tightened, and his eyes darted away from mine, unable to meet my gaze.

But Ava, ever the instigator, jumped in, adding more fuel to the fire. "Emma, Jason’s just trying to look out for you. This wedding’s been in the works for so long. Canceling it now? It’ll wreck your reputation."

I laughed, the sound harsh. "My reputation? Do you really think I need you to worry about that? But you, on the other hand, a mistress climbing the ranks and destroying someone else’s relationship—don’t you fear retribution?"

Before Ava could respond, a small child came barreling out of nowhere, running full speed, and collided with a waiter carrying a hot pot. The waiter lost his balance, and in an instant, the boiling soup tipped over, spilling straight toward us.

I barely had time to react when the searing heat blasted into my face.

But in the blink of an eye, Jason pulled Ava close, shielding her with his body.

"Ava, are you okay? Did you get burned?" he asked frantically, holding her protectively.

Meanwhile, I was left standing there, the hot soup splashing onto my arm. The pain hit me like a jolt of electricity.

"Ahh—" I cried out as the sharp burn quickly swelled my skin, turning it red.

The waiter, now pale as a ghost, frantically apologized, bowing over and over.

The surrounding diners began to murmur, their eyes darting to Jason and Ava.

"This guy’s really something, huh? Protecting his girlfriend like that," one of the onlookers said.

"Yeah, now that’s true love," the other one agreed.

Their whispers stung, and I felt my emotions spiraling out of control. I suddenly remembered how Jason used to do the same for me—always leaving the best for me, always making sure I was protected.

But now, he was shielding Ava.

Ava finally lifted her head from Jason’s chest, a concerned look on her face. "Jason, are you okay? Where did you get burned? Let me see!"

That was it. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. My stomach turned, and I just needed to get out of there, away from this hellish scene.

I stood up abruptly, knocking my chair over with a loud crash. The diners around us stared, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was to escape.

Only then did Jason finally notice my arm had been burned.

But instead of concern for me, he snapped, his attention shifting to the waiter and the child.

"Hey! What’s wrong with you?!" he yelled, his voice filled with fury. "Watch where you're going!"

I couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t even worried about me.

Emma's POV

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?! Can’t you see what you’ve done? You burned someone!" Jason yelled, my frustration boiling over.

The waiter was shaking, repeating apologies, while the child’s parents rushed over, clearly mortified.

Ava, on the other hand, tugged gently at Jason’s sleeve, speaking in that overly sweet tone of hers. "Jason, please don’t get upset. What if you get sick from the stress? It wasn’t on purpose, you know."

I could feel my vision darkening as I staggered toward the door, the pain in my arm intensifying with every step.

It was like flames licking at my skin, sharp, burning, and relentless. But worse than the pain was the crushing weight of betrayal that settled in my chest.

I had once believed that Jason and I were unbreakable.

But now? It felt like it was all just a lie.

Jason glanced at the burn on my arm, a flicker of heartache flashing in his eyes before quickly turning into frustration and regret.

"Emma, how are you? Does it hurt? Let’s go to the hospital right now!" he said, his voice filled with concern.

When I didn’t respond, his tone softened, almost pleading. "Emma, please. Don’t make a scene. After the wedding, you can do whatever you want, alright?"

Before I could respond, Ava chimed in with that soft, fragile voice of hers, always playing the victim.

"Emma, Jason was just in a hurry. Don’t blame him. Is your arm okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Her fake, innocent act made my stomach turn. I shot her a disgusted look and swatted Jason’s hand away.

"Don’t touch me! You’re disgusting!" I spat.

I stumbled out of the restaurant, my stomach churning with every step. Behind me, Jason’s anxious voice called out, but I couldn’t stop. I just needed to get away from this suffocating scene.

My high heels twisted, and I almost lost my balance, barely managing to steady myself against the wall.

The burning pain in my arm flared up, like a thousand ants gnawing at my skin. I heard Jason’s footsteps getting closer, panic rising in my chest, and I pushed myself to walk faster.

But then, suddenly, the footsteps stopped. I turned around, heart hammering in my chest, and saw Jason holding Ava up, a worried expression on his face.

Ava’s face was pale, and she clutched her chest as if she was about to collapse.

She weakly leaned against Jason, her voice barely a whisper. "Jason… I… I don't feel good anymore..."

Jason quickly steadied her, concern written all over his face. "Ava, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?"

I stood frozen, watching this ridiculous charade unfold, my heart turning to stone. Jason looked like he was about to come over to check on me, but Ava clutched his arm tightly.

"Jason, I… I feel dizzy…" she said, her body going limp as she collapsed into his arms.

Jason looked between Ava, limp in his arms, and me standing there, unable to hide the bitterness rising inside me. Finally, he made his choice.

He picked Ava up in a horizontal position and looked at me with a half-hearted apology. "Emma, you go to the hospital. I’ll take Ava, and I’ll come to find you afterward."

I felt my stomach twist painfully.

I leaned against the wall, dry heaving, but nothing came up. Just the bitter, sour taste of anger rising in my throat.

'Jason, Ava, the wedding…'

Those words spun around in my head, getting louder and louder until they landed on the image of Jason leaving with Ava in his arms.

I closed my eyes, taking a shaky breath, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. I couldn’t cry, not here, not now.

At the hospital, the doctor examined my burn carefully, his brow furrowing slightly as he inspected the damage.

"It’s a moderate burn. It needs immediate treatment," he said, his voice professional but with a hint of concern.

I nodded, but inside, I felt absolutely nothing.