Back home, I sat motionless on the couch for what felt like hours.

The cracks in my relationship with Nathan had first appeared last month.

Initially, I couldn't understand how love could change so suddenly.

Whenever I questioned his relationship with Nina, he'd say: "You're imagining things. She's like a sister to me, that's why I look out for her."

At first, I believed him.

His love had always seemed so genuine that I never questioned it.

Then came that party where he got drunk, and I went to pick him up.

That's when I learned the truth from his equally intoxicated friend.

"Nathan and Nina... they grew up together. Before he ever pursued you, he actually confessed his feelings to her, but she turned him down.

"One can't just forget first love.

"He was drawn to you because your smile reminded him of Nina's.

"But don't worry - we've all been telling him to stick with you. Nina probably rejected him because he was broke back then. Now that he's made something of himself, she's suddenly interested."

"..."

The kettle's timer jolted me back to reality.

I forced down the bitter chamomile tea, looking around the apartment I'd so carefully decorated, and marked another day off the calendar.

14 days left.

Then I started the methodical process of packing and cleaning.

Brookshire and Eastbrook were at opposite ends of the country, and I couldn’t take much with me.

Whatever I couldn’t pack, I tossed.

I couldn't stand the thought of someone else - especially Nathan's next girlfriend - going through my things.

After two trips to the dumpster, exhaustion hit. The rest would have to wait.

Fresh from my shower, I saw Nina's social media post.

"CEO by day, standing in line for my favorite cake by night. He says he wants to make up for all our lost time. Couldn't be happier!"

The photo showed a strawberry cheesecake, but what caught my eye was the men's watch loosely draped around her wrist - the match to mine.

We'd bought those matching watches after pulling several all-nighters to land the company's first major client.

That deal had put us on the map.

Despite running on almost no sleep that week, he was ecstatic. He dragged me to the mall and bought these watches I'd been secretly admiring.

I protested at the expense.

But he insisted, sliding it onto my wrist before pulling me close. "Hannah," he'd said earnestly, "everything you want, I need to give you myself."

That watch never left his wrist except for showers or sleep.

He'd even fired his last assistant for accidentally water-damaging it.

Everyone thought Nathan was devoted to me.

Looking back now, I thought it was laughable.

No one realized that all those loving gazes he gave me were really meant for someone else.

With a heavy sigh, I unclasped the watch, snapped a couple photos, and listed it for sale online.

Nathan didn't come home again that night.

The next day, I slept until noon before heading to the office to resign.

Since the company had stabilized two years ago, I'd focused solely on heading the design department.

Several people stopped to congratulate me when I was walking from Design department to HR.

Confused, I was pulled into an office by Linda Clark from HR. "Spill it - are you and Nathan finally getting engaged?"

"What?"

I was blindsided.

As a company veteran, Linda didn't mince words. "Come on! It's obvious - Nathan's making such grand gestures, everyone knows he's planning to propose!"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

She covered her mouth. "You really don't know? Could Nathan be planning a surprise...?"

"Explain. Please."

"Well..." She hesitated, then leaned in conspiratorially. "Someone saw the florist delivering flowers to Nathan - the whole car was packed with pink roses! It's not your birthday or anniversary, so what else could it be but a proposal?"

Pink roses.

Two months ago, when Nina arrived in Brookshire, Nathan had bought pink roses to welcome her at the airport.

My fingers curled into my palm.

I stayed silent. Linda glanced at the papers in my hand. "What's that?"

"My resignation."

"Of course!" She beamed. "For the engagement, right? Ready to be the perfect wife. Here, let me sign that."

"Thanks."

I didn't correct her, just handed over the documents.

She signed while grumbling, "Nathan should have given me a heads up. Where am I supposed to find another Design Director like you on such short notice?"

"Just get Nathan's signature and it's done."

She returned the papers, saying warmly: "Hannah, I don't know if choosing family life is the right call, but as your friend of many years, I wish you all the happiness in the world! I hope Nathan gives you everything you deserve."

"I will be happy."

Just not with Nathan.

I hesitated for a moment before walking into Nathan’s office.

Not because I was uncertain, but because I hadn’t figured out how to get him to sign the papers without any fuss.

After the company implemented stricter HR policies, even I had to sign an updated contract.

Considering the sensitivity of my role as the design director—and the fact that my family’s business was loosely tied to this industry—I needed to ensure my resignation paperwork was complete before returning to Eastbrook. Otherwise, it could cause unnecessary trouble later.

I pushed the door open, ready to speak, but stopped short when I saw Nina sitting across from Nathan.

No wonder her desk outside was empty. She had clearly moved her workspace in here.

Nina noticed me first. She playfully tapped Nathan on the head and said in a sweet, teasing voice, “Nathan!”

Nathan’s tone was indulgent. “Alright, stop messing around. I need to finish this agreement.”

“I’m not messing around…” Nina glanced at me provocatively before putting on a well-behaved smile. “Hannah’s here.”

Nathan immediately leaned back in his chair, putting distance between them, and looked up at me, flustered. Our eyes met.

Ignoring the ache in my heart, I spoke calmly. “Nathan, I need you to sign a document.”

I handed him the folder.

Relieved that I didn’t address the obvious tension between him and Nina, he nodded. “Alright.”

“Nathan, I’ll let you two work. I’ll head out,” Nina said, standing up to leave.

As Nathan opened the folder, I was just about to explain the document when Nina suddenly cried out, “Ah—my ankle! It hurts!”

“Nina!” Nathan jumped to his feet, abandoning the folder as he rushed toward her.

I stepped in his way. “Sign this first. It’ll only take a few seconds.”

He frowned. “Hannah Jefferson, when did you become so cold-hearted? Is this document really that important?”

“Nathan…” Nina whimpered from the floor, clutching her ankle and tearing up.

Nathan’s focus was entirely on her. Without even glancing at the papers, he hastily scribbled his signature where I pointed.

That suited me just fine.

I only wanted to get this resignation done and leave this city—to return to the life I was meant to have.

Nathan lifted Nina onto the couch and gently examined her foot. “It’s not swollen, but if it really hurts, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“It’s not that bad…” Nina pulled her foot back shyly, sneaking a glance in my direction.

Expressionless, I turned and left.

Before I could get into my car, Nathan ran after me, stopping me by the door. “Hannah, don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between me and Nina. I’m just looking out for her because we grew up together.”

“Hmm.” I nodded faintly, gesturing for him to release the door. “I have things to do.”

He hesitated, looking unsure. “You’re not upset?”

I smiled faintly. “Should I be?”

“In the past, you would’ve been furious if I did something like this…”

“But you still did it anyway.” I met his eyes, seeing the panic he was trying to hide. “Relax, I’m just joking. Come home for dinner tonight?”

“I…” He averted his gaze, squeezing my hand lightly. “I have a business dinner, but I’ll definitely come home after.”

I wanted to laugh but couldn’t. How did it come to this, where even getting him to come home felt like begging for a favor?

After grabbing dinner outside, I returned home and resumed packing.

That's when I realized - when disappointment runs deep enough, you don't want to keep any memories at all.

I methodically erased every trace of my existence from our apartment.

I went through Nathan's room too.

But only removed the things I'd bought for us as a couple.

Toothbrush, coffee mugs, slippers, matching pajamas...

During a break, before I could finish, I received a text from Nina.

[Hannah, isn't it sweet? After all these years, Nathan still remembers pink roses are my favorite. He's even more thoughtful than before.]

[Thanks for training such a perfect man for me.]

[All those years of training him paid off... for me.]

She attached a photo.

The white luxury car I'd helped him choose, its trunk filled with roses, decorated with twinkling lights.

In that moment, everything became crystal clear.

All the genuine love I thought I'd had these past years had belonged to someone else all along.

Nathan broke his promise.

He didn’t come home.

For several days in a row, he stayed away. I only found out through a casual phone call with Linda that he was on another business trip—this time with Nina again.

But his absence gave me more time to finish packing.

The calendar showed only seven days left.

That day, I was sorting the luggage I planned to take to Eastbrook when Linda suddenly called.

“Hannah, did you put the wrong address on your delivery?”

“What delivery?”

“Your wedding dress! It was delivered to the office. The package says it’s for you. Nathan really went all out—an AD custom gown! That’s at least seven figures. Is he planning to drain his savings and not live after the wedding?”

I rushed to the office and opened the box, only to be stunned.

The measurements matched mine, but… this didn’t seem like something Nathan would do.

The company had been doing well in recent years, but not well enough to splurge on such an extravagant wedding dress. Besides, he likely hadn’t even considered marrying me.

As I stood there puzzled, my mom called.

“Sweetheart, did you get the wedding dress? The Henderson family is so serious about the wedding between you and Davis! I told them you’d be back in half a month, and they’ve already started preparing for the ceremony.”

“They even insisted on sending the dress ahead of time so you could see if you liked it or if it fit well.”

Her cheerful tone left no doubt about how pleased she was with the Henderson family’s enthusiasm.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Mom, did you give them this address?”

“Of course! Did you change offices or something?”

“No…” I sighed. “I’ll send you a new address. From now on, have them send everything there.”

“Alright, alright!” She agreed quickly, still overjoyed. “By the way, Mrs. Henderson asked if you have any specific requests for the wedding. She said she’ll take care of everything.”

“I don’t have any requests.” I pressed my lips together. “You and Mrs. Henderson can handle the details.”

“Wedding?”

Nathan's voice suddenly came from behind. "What wedding?"

My heart skipped a beat as I ended the call. “You’re back from your trip?”

“Yeah.” He avoided my gaze, but his eyes landed on the wedding dress lying on the sofa. His brow furrowed. “Hannah, I told you—I can’t think about marriage right now. Can you stop pressuring me?”

I stared at him steadily. "Did I say you were the groom?"

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged, walked over, and began packing the dress back into its box.

Nathan grabbed my arm, softening his tone. "Are you angry? I'm sorry, I'm just exhausted from the trip. Forgive me?"

I nodded without hesitation. “Sure.”

He still seemed unsure. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Then how about leaving the wedding dress here for now?” Nathan hesitated, adding nervously, “Hannah, just give me a little more time. I promise I’ll marry you.”

He looked as if he were dreading being forced into something.

I couldn’t help but laugh lightly. “What are you thinking? Didn’t you hear me on the phone? This dress belongs to my college roommate. She accidentally put the wrong address.”

Relief flooded his face, and he even pinched my cheek playfully. “Trying to scare me, huh?”

“Sure, think what you want.”

Nathan had met all three of my college roommates. If he still cared about me even a little, he’d have remembered they were all already married. He’d even attended their weddings with me. Back then, he couldn’t stop talking about our future whenever we went to someone else’s wedding.

We’d agreed to get married as soon as the company stabilized.

But three years had passed, and he still hadn’t brought it up.

For a while, I thought he might have a fear of marriage.

Now I understood. He wasn’t afraid of marriage—he just didn’t want to marry me.

Linda knocked and entered, looking a little sheepish. “Sorry to interrupt, but Nathan, you need to be present for the design director interviews later.”

“Design director?” Nathan looked confused and turned to me. “Are you overwhelmed? Do you need someone to help you?”

“No,” I replied calmly. “Nathan, I’ve resigned.”

His expression darkened. “You resigned? Why didn’t you discuss it with me first? Hannah, the company is at a critical stage of funding. The design department is the heart of our business. Do you have any idea how much impact changing directors will have on investors?”

For a moment, it felt like I didn’t know him at all.

I raised my eyes. “So, what do you want to do about it?”

“Without my signature, your resignation isn’t final.” Nathan sighed, his tone softening like he was reasoning with a child. “You’re not a little girl anymore. Don’t act so impulsively. Come back to work tomorrow.”

I smiled faintly. “Nathan, you already signed it.”

“If you don’t believe me, Linda has a copy. You can check.”

With that, I picked up the wedding dress and walked away.