A week before the wedding, Zamir Peterson vanished. Sol Kelly couldn’t find him anywhere in Manchester. Drained down to her bones—body and heart—she got a text from an unknown number.

“Zamir is in the south part of the city.” An exact location followed.

Without a second thought, Sol grabbed a late-night cab to the address. She found him at an upscale business club on the south side of the city. The door was cracked open. Through the gap, she saw a man in a crisp suit sprawled across a plush sofa, surrounded by a crowd, blowing out cigarette smoke like he’d been born doing it.

One of his friends lifted his glass. “Zamir, your wedding to Sol is only a week away. Congrats on finally landing a beauty like her.”

Sol had heard that some men got cold feet before the wedding—needed space to sort their heads out. Maybe Zamir was no different. She was almost ready to give him that grace when his cold, dismissive voice cut through her thoughts.

“I only said yes to her proposal because I felt backed into a corner. Logically? She doesn’t do a damn thing for my career. Sure, she’s beautiful, but even the prettiest flower loses its shine after a while.”

Sol was already twenty-three. Give it a few more years, and she’d be past her prime, no match for the fresh, exciting eighteen-year-olds.

“You thinking about calling off the wedding?” one of his friends asked.

“You can’t indulge a woman too much. If she tries to corner me into marriage, I have to teach her a lesson. Otherwise, where’s my freedom once we’re married?”

“You’re smart when it comes to women. She’s an orphan—no family to back her up. After three years by your side, she won’t walk away now that you’ve made it.”

His friend turned to the woman beside Zamir and teased, “With someone as charming and capable as Carly at your side, who’d ever want to let you go?”

Zamir turned and kissed the striking young woman. He looked every inch the roguish gentleman. “Jealous? Go find your own.”

Carly Perkins, curled up in Zamir’s arms, playfully smacked his chest. “Oh, stop it! You’re such a tease!”

Their flirting, completely unbothered by the people around them, was clearly a familiar show for the group.

“Carly, you’ve been with Zamir for so long. Haven’t you thought about upgrading your status?” someone joked.

Carly gazed at Zamir with pure adoration. “As long as I can be with Zamir, titles don’t matter.”

In stark contrast to Sol’s need for commitment, Carly seemed compliant and understanding.

Zamir basked in the young woman’s admiration. But when he caught sight of Sol’s unsteady figure in the doorway, Carly’s lips curled into a sly smile. Her slender arm tightened around his neck, her voice silk-smooth. “Zamir, are you really skipping the wedding? What if Sol gets mad and dumps you…”

“She wouldn’t dare. Who else would want her if not me?” Zamir replied with certainty.

Smoke hung thick in the room, blurring his handsome features. Sol felt her heart freeze solid. Her nails bit into her palms.

Years ago, when her father suggested she marry into the Lopez family, she couldn’t stomach the thought of an arranged, loveless marriage. She left home in the middle of the night, chasing true love.

Not long after, she rented an apartment—and caught the attention of a group of shady guys who made her safety a nightmare. Just when she was trapped, Zamir showed up and pulled her out of danger.

The young man—slim in a white shirt and black pants—took on three attackers by himself, driving them off even after getting hurt. Then he calmed her with that gentle voice of his.

As she tearfully cleaned his wounds, she learned he was looking for a place to stay. She offered him a room at a price he could afford.

Zamir was kind, caring, ambitious, and a great cook—always going the extra mile for her.

Eventually, romance bloomed between them. She secretly arranged an investment in his startup, supporting his dreams without bruising his pride. He thrived. Within three years, his company went public.

On the day the company went public, she rented out a restaurant and bought a diamond ring, then proposed to him in front of everyone. She thought he was sharing her joy. Looking back, every overlooked sign had been the truth she refused to see. He never meant to marry her. He saw her proposal as an ultimatum.

Steeling herself, Sol pushed the door open. The suite went dead silent. Zamir’s carefree smile vanished, and he shoved Carly away.

“Sol, what are you doing here?”

He moved toward her, reaching for her hand. Sol stepped back, dodging his touch.

“If I hadn’t come, I’d never have known how you really feel,” she said, her voice steady even as tears threatened to fall. “If you didn’t want to marry me, you could’ve just told me. I wouldn’t force you.”

Zamir tried to explain, flustered. “It’s not like that. You misunderstood.”

He shot his friends a pointed look, and they filed out one by one. Carly was the last to pass. Her lips curled in provocation. “Sol, you and Zamir are so close. You’re always right behind him…”

Before she could finish, Sol’s hand swung up and cracked across Carly’s face. “Who do you think you are? You have no right to speak on what’s between Zamir and me.”

Carly’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at Zamir with pitiful innocence. “Zamir…”

“Sol, take your anger out on me. Don’t go after innocent people.” Zamir’s face tightened as he moved protectively in front of Carly.

The sight pierced Sol straight through the heart. Her fingers trembled as she fought to keep her composure. “When did this start?”

Zamir loosened his tie, irritation flickering across his face. “We’ve been through so much together. Do you really not trust me?”

It was because she’d trusted him too much that she’d never doubted him.

Her gaze turned sardonic as she forced a smile. “Can you prove it?”

“What do you want me to do to prove it?”

“Fire her.”

“No way. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Besides, if I fired her now, what would people think?”

Zamir answered without missing a beat, gripping her shoulders as his voice dropped into something somber. “We’ve just started to enjoy our life, Sol. Don’t be paranoid. I’m working hard for our future. Carly and I are innocent. How could you ruin a young girl’s reputation like that?”

His defensive tone, wrapped in absurdity, only exposed how empty his lies were. The more he tried to justify himself, the clearer his guilt became.

Sol stood there, watching him weakly deflect, and found it almost laughably pathetic.

Zamir, whose eyes had once been full of admiration for her, had been changed by the business world. His heart got lost in the chaos and indulgence—and he betrayed her along the way.

Her eyes unfocused for a moment as she swallowed the bitterness. “Think whatever you want, Zamir. Make a choice.”

Despite their years together, she wanted to give him one last chance.

In the end, Zamir let her down.

“I won’t go along with your madness and drag innocent people into this. Carly is talented and essential to the company.”

Essential to the company—or to him?

Sol suddenly felt no urge to keep up this pointless interrogation.

Seeing her about to leave, Zamir grabbed her arm, anger flashing in his eyes. “If you don’t apologize today, the wedding’s off.”

Sol let out a soft retort. “Do you really think there’s any point?”

Ignoring the look on Zamir’s face, she left without looking back.

Once inside the car, her defenses crumbled. The tears finally fell—for three years of unwavering devotion that now felt utterly wasted.

To hell with true love.

On the way home, she stared out at the passing city lights and dialed a familiar number she’d neglected for far too long. “Dad, I’ve changed my mind. I’m willing to come home and go through with the engagement. Give me a week to wrap things up here.”

By the time she got home, it was already late at night. Sol Kelly went inside, curled up on the couch, and cried quietly as the past came rushing back.

The Sandy Bay house had been Zamir Peterson’s first big purchase, bought with the profits from his first business venture. He’d bought it two years ago and put it in her name. Zamir had once told her he was grateful she’d stood by him through thick and thin, promising that one day he’d shower her with everything life had to offer—a token of his success.

He’d even ignored her protests and transferred half his company shares into her name. Once, under a sky full of stars, he’d sworn eternal loyalty to her.

But love is fickle. Eventually, it changed. He strayed, breaking every promise he’d made.

She didn’t sleep a wink that night. Sol didn’t move until the first light of dawn began to streak across the sky. Then she pulled herself together and started packing.

She went through all of Zamir’s things one by one and hauled them off to a storage room. She changed the bed sheets and pillowcases, erasing every trace of him, before finally crashing into a deep sleep.

She didn’t know how long she’d slept, but she sensed someone approaching. Warm breath ghosted over her ear.

“Sol, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let my ego get the best of me yesterday. I said stupid things and upset you,” came his voice, soaked in an overly sweet cologne that made her stomach turn.

Startled, she opened her eyes and shoved him away. Her gaze landed on the telltale love bites peeking out from his collar—and she immediately doubled over, gagging.

He was blatantly cheating, and he hadn’t even bothered to clean up before coming back.

She couldn’t tell if he was utterly shameless or just convinced she’d never actually leave him.

Zamir’s face froze for a moment, then softened into fake concern. “Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to see a doctor?”

“Ugh—” Another wave of nausea hit her.

Zamir’s expression darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I’ve fired Carly Perkins. No one will come between us again.”

“Is that so?” Sol lifted her eyes, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “And you don’t regret it?”

“She was just an irrelevant assistant. What’s there to regret?” Zamir pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the corner of her mouth, his tone coaxing. “Honey, don’t be mad, okay?”

Sol didn’t budge. A dry, mocking laugh slipped out. “I’m not your wife, Zamir. Stop calling me that.”

“By next week, you will be.”

“If I remember correctly, weren’t you the one who suggested calling off the wedding?”

Zamir frowned, his lips pressing into a straight line, his tone helpless. “I said that in anger. You told me if I apologized, you’d forgive me once.”

“Oh, you remember that, do you? I also remember you swearing you’d never betray me—swearing you’d rot in hell if you ever stepped out on me.”

Maybe when Zamir made those promises, he truly loved her, envisioning a lifetime together. But over time, that love soured.

Guilt flickered in his eyes. He couldn’t meet hers—until his phone rang, saving him from the confrontation.

He breathed a small sigh of relief, glanced at his phone, then stood. “I have a meeting at the company this afternoon. I’ll come back later and cook for you.”

With that, he left, his footsteps hurried—almost like he was fleeing.

A bitter smile twisted Sol’s lips, disdain brimming in her eyes.

...

That afternoon, she contacted a real estate agent and put the property on the market. Then she drove to the company.

For three years, she had occasionally brought Zamir lunch. The people there knew her—and knew the wedding was imminent. It had been three months since her last visit.

She took the elevator up, moving with an easy familiarity.

The hallway leading to the CEO’s office was carpeted, her high heels making no sound on the plush surface.

Her hand reached for the doorknob when she heard the soft, kittenish moans of a girl mingling with the rough breathing of a man.

Sol’s fingers froze, the color draining from her face.

Her eyes stung painfully, but no tears came.

Same lies. Utter shamelessness.

She pulled out her phone, activated the recording function, and gently pushed the door open a crack. Inside, the two were so engrossed in their passionate encounter they didn’t notice her presence at the door.

As Carly’s head tilted back, her eyes suddenly locked onto the phone’s camera, and she screamed. The shock sent Zamir, who had been lost in the moment, into immediate panic.

“Zamir, someone’s filming us!”

She hurriedly grabbed her clothes to cover herself, retreating into Zamir’s arms.

“Who?” Zamir’s gaze turned sharp, his face menacing as his eyes followed hers to the door.

The door swung open, and Sol stepped inside, pocketing her phone.

“Sorry to interrupt your little party.”

“Sol...” Zamir’s expression shifted drastically, anger swiftly replacing shock. “What are you doing here?”

Carly shrank back the moment she saw Sol, nestling deeper into Zamir’s embrace. “Sol, you always show up unexpectedly... Zamir and I were just offering each other comfort. In his heart, he only loves you.”

Sol smirked coldly. “Zamir, we need to talk.”

“Fine. You leave,” Zamir instructed Carly, knowing further denial was pointless after being caught red-handed.

Ten minutes later, Carly exited first.

Meeting Sol’s steely gaze, she flinched, her neck drawing in fearfully. “Sol, Zamir wants to see you now.”

“That anonymous text last night—was it you?”

Carly’s face paled slightly, her eyes evasive. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“A mistress with no ambition is a rare thing. You’re young, but you’re already aiming high.”

She had nurtured Zamir’s career, only to watch someone else reap the rewards.

“I heard three years ago you were almost assaulted. Left you with some psychological scars?” Carly’s lips curled in contempt. “I don’t mind taking care of Zamir’s needs for you.”

Sol’s heart plummeted. Zamir had shared even her most painful memories with another woman.

She gripped her purse so hard her nails bit into her palm.

Carly stared at her, hoping for a breakdown.

But Sol didn’t give her one. Instead, she let out a faint laugh—and thanked Carly.

“Thank you.”

Thank you for opening her eyes to Zamir’s true nature before the wedding—and for killing whatever lingering attachment she’d had left.

...

Back in the office, Zamir had dressed again and now sat stiffly in his swivel chair, every inch the polished CEO.

“What do you want to discuss?” His voice was hoarse with irritation, his gaze sharp with resentment.

Sol sat across from him, her eyes empty.

“The house and car are mine. I can sell the company shares back to you at market price. And because you saved my life, I’ll give you one last shred of dignity.”

Zamir froze, then let out a disbelieving laugh. “Sol, everything you have came from me. I made a mistake—the kind every man makes—and you’re giving me a death sentence?”

His self-righteousness, his sheer entitlement—it was foreign to her.

Maybe that was the flaw baked into men like him: even when caught, they refused to admit they’d done anything wrong.

“Three years, and you still don’t know me. I’m Sol Kelly. I don’t turn a blind eye, and I don’t settle.”

Zamir’s face darkened, his cold gaze cutting into hers. “Are you serious?”

Sol Kelly's lips twisted into a sardonic smile, her face giving nothing away. “Do you actually think I'm joking?”

“The invitations are out, and the wedding is next week. You're really gonna break up with me over something this small?” Zamir Peterson's expression was taut, barely containing his frustration. To him, Sol's refusal was just a tactic—a lover's bluff, a strategic retreat to push him into chasing her. They'd been together three years. No way she'd actually leave now.

Sol let out a dry laugh. “Breaking up means you get a free pass to fool around with Carly. No ‘old woman’ like me weighing you down—you can chase all the younger, hotter women you want.”

She'd heard the whispers at the club.

So she was still pissed.

“You're the one who won't let me touch you. Ask anyone—what couple goes three years without sex? Sol, I'm a normal man, not some celibate monk.”

The implication was clear: she was the problem. Not even a real woman.

Three years ago, she'd barely escaped an assault. It left her terrified of men getting too close. It took six months into their relationship before she could hold hands, hug, or kiss Zamir without her body locking up. But whenever things went further, she'd flash back to that dark alley—to those vile hands grabbing her.

For years, she'd quietly gone to therapy. She'd made so much progress. She'd planned to give herself to him on their wedding night and finally tell him the truth. Now? It felt pointless.

Sol's eyes glittered with hurt. “So you turned the worst thing that ever happened to me into gossip for Carly?”

Panic flashed across Zamir's face. He scrambled for an excuse. “I was drunk that night. I was just venting... I didn't mean for it to slip.”

He did have feelings for her—at least he told himself he did—but over time, he'd grown tired. Every time things got heated, her trauma got in the way. With no outlet for his frustration, Carly appeared: young, lively, looking at him like he was everything, deliberately tempting him. He didn't resist. He cheated. Afterward, guilt and shame ate at him, but the affair kept pulling him back. He couldn't break free.

“Blaming everyone but yourself for not being able to control yourself—that's a real convenient excuse for cheating,” Sol said coldly. “If you'd had the guts to break up with me to my face, I might've at least respected you as a man.”

Zamir's frustration boiled over. “Sol, I've supported you all these years. The company is mine. I built it. Are you really gonna walk away with half my assets because we're breaking up? Isn't that greedy?”

Sol's gaze didn't waver. “I'm just claiming what's mine.”

Without her behind-the-scenes work, did he really think he could've risen so fast? Did he actually see himself as some business genius? Some golden boy?

“What do you mean, ‘what's mine’? Those shares were meant for Mrs. Peterson.”

In other words, if she refused to be his wife, everything he'd given her would be forfeited. Sol had weathered every hardship with him, and now she was supposed to swallow her pride and accept his betrayal?

When she didn't answer, Zamir grew bolder. “Sol, I can live without being intimate with you, but you need to accept Carly being in the picture. Isn't all of us living happily together better than anything else?”

For all his good looks, his delusional logic was almost laughable.

“Zamir, you disgust me! How could I ever have loved someone so shameless?”

The contempt in her glare cut through him like a blade. Zamir's temper snapped. He grabbed her chin. “Don't look at me like that. You're no angel yourself. The fact that I'm still willing to spoil you and marry you means you should be grateful.”

“Got a taste of the high life and suddenly forgot where you came from?”

The air between them turned suffocating. Sol struggled against his grip, her elegant face flushing red as she fought for air, her eyes locked on his with icy contempt.

Realizing what he'd done, Zamir let go and stepped back. “Sol, I didn't mean it. You provoked me with your words...”

Even now, he was shifting the blame onto her.

He never failed to disappoint.

Sol staggered back, catching herself on the desk, gasping for air.

“I love you too much. I can't stand the thought of losing you...”

Regret flickered across his face as he reached for her, but Sol recoiled like a cornered cat.

“Stay away from me!”

Zamir froze.

“From this moment on, we're done. We're nothing to each other. What's mine stays mine. And if you try anything, I'll expose your little affair with Carly.”

After she left, Sol made a call.

“Cut all support for Windward Tech.”

Then she contacted a real estate agent and dropped the price of the house for a quick sale.

By that afternoon, someone had toured the place and signed the contract.

Sol packed up her things, shipped them to her family home in New York, and tossed all of Zamir's stuff into the trash.

She didn't feel a single pang of nostalgia as she drove away.

That night, she checked into a five-star hotel in Manchester.

Later, Zamir came home to a dark house. His usually soft features hardened into a frown.

Before, no matter how late it was, Sol would always come out to greet him the second she heard his car.

Now, the lock code had been changed.

His gaze landed on the overflowing trash can outside, and his expression soured.

He immediately called Sol. “You threw out my stuff. What does that mean?”

Sol stood by the hotel's floor-to-ceiling window, sipping her coffee, taking in the neon-lit cityscape. She felt liberated. Free.

“Trash belongs in the bin.”

She ended the call and blocked his number.

She was done with Zamir's betrayal, but memories of the past three years still left her hollow. She could already picture her father mocking her setbacks the moment she returned.

A tipsy haze settled over her. She powered down her phone and drifted into a deep sleep.

...

At a bar, Zamir sat alone, knocking back one strong drink after another, his expression unreadable. Even the blaring music couldn't cut through the chaos in his head.

His friends hovered nearby, too nervous to approach him, so they called Carly to calm him down.

Carly hurried over, slid up beside him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Zamir, Sol's just acting out. Once she's out there struggling, she'll realize how good she had it with you.”

Zamir finished another shot, his demeanor frosty. “You're right. I'll wait for her to fail and come crawling back.”

He dialed a number and gave orders.

“Cancel my secondary card and empty Sol Kelly's bank accounts.”

No money, no options. Let's see how long that pride of hers lasts.

Then he looked at Carly, gripped her chin, and kissed her fiercely.

Carly whimpered softly, melting against him, matching his hunger.

“Zamir, I adore you...”