"Hannah, no matter how desperate you are to get married, you can’t resort to forcing it."

"Do you think buying a wedding dress will make Nathan marry you?"

"He promised long ago that he’d only ever marry me. Stop dreaming."

On the drive, I glanced at the texts from Nina. Her words left me feeling drained. I circled Brookshire for hours, driving aimlessly. By the time I got home, it was past midnight, and the chilly autumn air had seeped into my bones.

To my surprise, the house was brightly lit when I opened the door.

Nathan was sitting on the couch. He stood and walked toward me. “Why are you back so late?”

“I went for a drive.”

I was leaving soon. I wanted one last look at the city where I’d spent so many years of my life.

He nodded, reaching out to pull me into his arms, but I instinctively stepped back.

His brows furrowed slightly. “Still upset?”

“I might’ve been too harsh earlier. If you don’t want to work, you don’t have to, okay?” He softened his tone. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

I caught a hint of irony in his words but chose not to escalate things. “Okay. Your birthday is coming up—what’s the plan?”

It was only earlier today, when I glanced at the calendar, that I realized my planned departure was the day before his birthday. It also happened to be the anniversary of our relationship.

“Of course, I want to spend it at home with you—just the two of us.”

He reached out cautiously again. This time, when I didn’t pull away, he seemed to relax. Hugging me tightly, he mumbled, “Hannah, I feel like… something about you has changed lately.”

“You’re overthinking.” I gently stepped out of his embrace. “It’s a bit cold. I’m going to take a shower.”

In the past, he would’ve noticed immediately that my entire body was ice-cold. I wasn’t sure anymore who had changed—him or me.

“By the way, what happened to my toothbrush and mug?” he asked suddenly from behind me.

I lowered my gaze.

Those weren’t the only things missing from this house. But it was no surprise he hadn’t noticed—his heart hadn’t been here for a long time.

I replied casually, “You’re supposed to replace those things regularly. There are new ones in the bathroom cabinet.”

I headed to my room and took a shower. My phone buzzed non-stop on the bed while I was in the bathroom.

When I came out, I saw more messages from Nina.

Her earlier taunts had been enough to ruin my mood, so I hadn’t replied. But she clearly wasn’t willing to let it go. Now she’d sent screenshot after screenshot of her conversations with Nathan.

The timestamps on the messages weren’t from the past few months—they stretched back years.

Most of the time, it was Nathan pouring his heart out to her.

"Nina, I started dating someone like you suggested. She’s great, and her smile reminds me of yours."

"Nina, whenever I’m with her, it feels like we’re back to the days when we were inseparable."

"Nina, how have you been lately? I dreamed about you last night. I miss you."

"Nina, I might get married soon. I can’t let her down."

"She’s been through so much with me. Everything I’ve achieved—my career, buying a house and a car in Brookshire—I owe it all to her…"

That was when Nina finally started replying. Once she learned he’d bought two properties in the city, including a luxury apartment that was still being renovated, they fell into each other’s arms.

The messages became an endless exchange of daily updates.

The hangover soup I had made for Nathan after a night of heavy drinking? He sent her a photo. "Look, I’m having soup this morning. What about you?"

The lemons from the tree I nurtured finally bore fruit. His first instinct was to share it with Nina. "See this? Amazing, right? Once they’re bigger, I’ll bring the best one to the office for your tea."

My hands shook as I held the phone. Knowing I was just a stand-in for her was one thing. Reading these messages was something else entirely.

Even after a hot shower, the cold seemed to seep into my bones.

I wanted to laugh but couldn’t stop the tears from welling up. I wasn’t crying because I felt betrayed—I was crying because it hit me just how long I’d been living as someone else’s shadow.

Every sweet moment I thought I’d shared with Nathan had been passed along to her.

I forced back my tears and replied, “Find better things to do at this hour.”

She replied instantly, "Hannah, don’t push your luck. Even if you stay, Nathan will only marry me. I know you don’t want to let go now that the company’s about to go public, but for the sake of what you’ve done for him, I’ll make him give you $10,000 as a breakup fee."

"Let’s face it—without Nathan, you’ll never find someone this rich again."

Ten thousand dollars. I wasn’t sure that would even cover the cost of one wedding table at the Henderson family’s banquet.

Just as I finished reading her message, my door burst open.

“Hannah, why did you put the watch I gave you up for sale online?” Nathan asked, his voice sharp.

Nathan came in with his phone, demanding answers.

I glanced at the screen - it was indeed my listing.

I'd priced it low, and it sold the same day.

I smiled casually, making up an excuse. "Oh, that's not mine. Remember Linda and her husband bought the same set? She wants a new one and asked me to help sell it."

"Really..."

He looked unconvinced, his expression softening. "Hannah, I've been too busy lately, maybe I haven't paid enough attention to your feelings. If something's bothering you, please tell me, okay?"

I looked down. "Okay."

"After my mom passed last year, you're all I have left."

Nathan held me like something precious, his voice both promising and guilty. "Trust me, no matter what happens, you're the most important person in my life."

I used to believe that.

Nathan.

I believed it completely.

I caught the faint scent of roses on him. "It's late. You should shower and rest..."

"Just let me hold you a little longer."

He wouldn't let go, resting his chin on my head. "Hannah, is something bothering you? Once things settle down, let's talk properly."

I smiled.

Busy queuing for Nina's cake, or preparing a car full of roses as a surprise.

Must be exhausting, trying to hide things from me while keeping Nina happy.

He looked down at me, voice gentle: "Have you been crying? Your eyes are red."

"I..."

Before I could answer, his phone rang sharply.

Seeing the caller ID, he released me immediately, walking out as he answered.

Whatever he heard made his face change instantly.

Despite the autumn chill, he rushed out in just his dress shirt, not even grabbing a coat.

Years of habit made me call out, "Nathan!"

He didn't seem to hear.

The last time I'd seen him this panicked was when his mother received a critical condition notice at the hospital.

I walked to the window, watching his black luxury car disappear into the night.

His words still echoed: "Hannah, you're the most important person in my life."

But it didn't matter anymore.

The next few days kept me busy.

Since I was leaving, I needed to say goodbye to friends.

That evening, I picked up a marker, hesitated, then marked another day off the calendar.

Tomorrow was Nathan's birthday.

Also my last day in this city.

After ordering his birthday cake, I cut up all our framed photos and threw them in the trash.

The house was now completely cleared of anything related to me.

Probably because I'd missed taking my medication these past few days, I woke up early the next morning with severe stomach pain.

Back when we first started the company, it was just Nathan and me.

When busy, we lived and ate at the office.

To prove my father wrong about Nathan, I hadn't taken any money from my family after graduation.

When cash was tight, we'd often share a pack of instant noodles to save money.

At night, we'd attend business dinners.

He couldn't drink much, so I took most of the alcohol.

Once, I got a stomach ulcer from drinking. The doctor scolded him harshly, and he sat by my hospital bed, this tall man with red-rimmed eyes.

He said following him had caused me hardship.

He said he would never let Hannah Jefferson down.

I finally understood.

Promises aren't always true, even in the moment they're made.

I got up, rubbing my stomach, ate some toast and swallowed a pill.

But the medicine worked slowly, and the pain intensified. I curled up on the sofa, breaking into a cold sweat.

I called Nathan.

No answer.

Seems he was too busy.

Too busy even to answer his girlfriend's call.

I only learned from Linda's call that he'd been busy for days.

Too busy to come to the office.

A pile of documents and ongoing projects needed his signature.

Linda was frantic. "Hannah, is he love-struck? Are you both? You can't neglect the company just to plan a wedding! Please convince him to come back to work!"

"Also, I heard LD Venture's CEO Davis Henderson is getting married next week. Nathan should try to get an invitation - going to Eastbrook to network would be great for us. If Davis approves, our IPO is guaranteed."

"Wait."

The stomach pain had left me distracted, but that last part caught my attention. "What did you say the LD Venture person's name was?"

"Davis Henderson!"

Linda continued, "He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Our IPO depends on LD Venture’s approval, but I heard LD Venture was just a small company his family gave him to practice with."

Eastbrook. The Hendersons. Investment company.

Everything clicked into place.

Linda noticed my silence. "Hannah? Are you listening?"

"Yes, yes."

I pressed my lips together. "I'll tell Nathan everything you said."

Linda relaxed. "Good. By the way, have you set a wedding date? I want a proper paper invitation, not some digital thing!"

I smiled softly. "It's next week actually. And don't worry about the invitation."

A family like the Hendersons would only use traditional paper invitations.

My mother had asked about my guest list a few days ago, and I'd included Linda's name.

The Hendersons would handle the rest.

After hanging up, I fought through the pain to message Nathan. No response.

I tried calling again.

Surprisingly, he answered this time.

His voice was cold. "Why do you keep calling? What is it?"

So he had seen my earlier call.

I rubbed my stomach. "What are you so busy with? Linda says you haven't been to the office in days."

He sounded mocking. "You know exactly what I'm dealing with."

"How would I know?"

He let out a bitter laugh, his voice dropping in anger: "Why did you send someone to vandalize Nina's house with paint? Don't you know how easily frightened she is? Hannah, when did you become so cruel?"

Cruel.

I couldn't tell if the pain was from my stomach or my heart. "Nina told you I did it? And you believed her?"

"She's never lied in her life!"

He declared righteously. "Handle the company stuff for me. She's too scared to be alone."

I sipped some warm water. "My stomach hurts. I can't go."

Nathan knew about my health issues from these past years.

When he was home, he'd always make sure I ate regular meals and took my medicine on time.

I don't know when he stopped coming home altogether.

"Hannah,"

He sounded impatient, at his limit: "Your stomach problems are nothing new, can't you just deal with it? I already told you, if Nina didn't need me, I wouldn't ask you to go."

"Fine, I'll figure something out."

He was about to hang up.

I stopped him. "Are you coming home tonight?"

"Hannah, are you really going to be difficult right when Nina needs me most?"

I froze.

I thought I'd stopped caring.

But hearing those words felt like a knife to my lungs.

Even breathing hurt.

"It's your birthday today, and our sixth anniversary."

I gently rubbed my stomach. "Nathan, you promised we'd spend every anniversary together."

Breaking up…had to be done in person.

Otherwise, it would make all our time together seem worthless.

"I..."

Nathan hesitated, sounding guilty. "I almost forgot."

"Hannah, I'll come right home, I'll bring those pastries you love."

Just as I was about to respond, I heard Nina cry out in the background.

Nathan didn't even hang up properly, just started comforting her. "Don't be scared, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I ended the call, looking around our empty home, and suddenly laughed.

The clock hands turned round and round.

Night fell like a black curtain.

Only the food delivery guy had knocked on the door.

Nathan wasn't coming back.

At 3 AM, my phone lit up.

A message from Nathan.

“Hannah, Nina keeps having nightmares. Don't worry, I'll be back before dawn. Wait for me.”

I stared down, sat motionless for a moment, then threw the takeout and cake into the trash, one by one.

Took a shower.

Then sent Nathan one last message.

Block. Delete. Done.

I grabbed my two packed suitcases and headed to the airport without looking back.

Nathan, this time I won't wait for you.

My belongings—and myself—will leave this city today, once and for all.

This place never truly belonged to me anyway.