During a company retreat to Colmar, I found out my boyfriend was going to propose at sunset, surrounded by colleagues.

Instead, in the golden light, he dropped to one knee with a ring in hand in front of someone else.

“Lana, I’m ready to be the father of your child. Will you marry me?”

Lana, the woman Mark had loved for ten years, his unforgettable first love.

I stared at the two, watching them embrace. Then I quietly turned away, booked myself a trip three days out, and went home for an arranged date.

A year later, I ran into him again when I returned to the country. Mark’s eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed my wrist.

“Rosie, you’re finally back. Don’t leave me again…”

"Your flight will depart from Colmar in three days.

"Have a pleasant journey, Ms. Hale. Goodbye."

I’d just confirmed the flight details with the airline staff when my assistant’s voice called from behind.

“Rosie, it's time to go.”

By now, Mark was already carefully helping Lana into the car.

News about him proposing to the ex of Genovia’s most eligible bachelor had blown up online.

Everyone was swooning over the idea of his fairytale romance. Finally, after a ten-year unspoken crush, he had gotten the girl.

No one knew I was the one who had actually been dating him for the past six years.

Earlier this afternoon, I found a custom engagement ring in Mark’s pocket.

I was thrilled. I thought he remembered I wanted to be proposed to under the sunset.

Clearly, I was just fooling myself.

It turned out the ring or his love had never belonged to me.

Shortly after I left town, Mark called.

His tone was cold and commanding as he said, “In half an hour, I want chicken soup.”

Then he hung up, without giving me a chance to respond.

I was stunned for a moment.

Chicken soup would be suitable for pregnant women.

I scrolled through our chat history on WhatsApp. Three months ago, Mark started asking for all kinds of soups known for nourishing the body.

Looking back now, it hit me.

He must have already decided back then to be the stepfather of Lana's kid.

Half an hour later, I showed up at his estate with the chicken soup in hand.

The living room was full of his close buddies from the team retreat.

The moment they saw me, the room went silent.

They always saw me as Mark’s pathetic lapdog secretary, who would do anything for him. Now, they looked at me with smug curiosity, clearly waiting for a meltdown.

Mark sat with Lana, half-curled in his arms, at the head of the room.

He took the soup and said flatly, “Perfect timing.”

Then he casually nodded at the table full of shots.

“Lana can’t drink. You’ve got a good tolerance, don’t you? Drink for her.”

He didn’t even look at me. It was as if he were talking about some other irrelevant thing.

Mark remembered Lana couldn't drink, but he forgot that I was allergic to alcohol.

I was nothing more than a servant in his eyes.

Something inside me snapped. After six years, I wanted answers.

I couldn’t stop myself from speaking.

“Mark, about today’s proposal. Don’t you think I deserve an explanation?”

The atmosphere shifted.

Everyone could tell he favored Lana.

Sure enough, Mark kept feeding Lana the soup and muttered, “Rosie, let’s talk later. Don’t ruin the mood.”

At that moment, any last bit of hope I had for him completely shattered.

I’d worked as his secretary for six years, dealing with his scandals.

I was so tired now.

I swallowed the bitterness in my heart and picked up a shot to down it.

“To Mr. Hill and Ms. Markle, may your love last forever and have your own children.”

They all expected a scene, thinking I’d scream, cry, or throw things.

After all, that was the old me.

Whenever Lana showed up, I lost my mind like a firecracker with a lit fuse.

Mark had gotten used to watching me fall apart.

He would console me with a gift, and I always forgave him.

I couldn’t remember how many times I fought with Mark after Lana returned to the country. Each time we had a cold war, I was the one who swallowed my pride and apologized.

In this relationship, I never stood a chance.

As I walked toward the entrance, I heard Lana’s playful voice behind me.

“Mark, Rosie’s upset. Shouldn’t you go after her?”

However, Mark just chuckled dismissively and gently rubbed her waist.

“It’s fine. She always listens to me. I’ll smooth things over later.”

At the hospital, I forced myself to keep working through the painful rash on my neck.

Just as the IV drip was finishing, I got an unexpected call from my brother, Michael.

His voice came through the line with a light chuckle before he said, “Rosie, you lost.”

Six years ago, I returned to the country for a friend’s party when I was in a car accident.

Trapped inside the wreckage, it was Mark who risked his life to pull me out.

From that moment, I fell hopelessly in love with him.

So I went against my family’s wishes and chose to stay after graduation.

I accepted a job at Mark’s company as his secretary, all so I could take care of him.

Michael never liked Mark and never believed in our relationship. However, I was too obsessed with Mark to listen to anyone.

So I made a bet with my brother.

I had seven years. If Mark hadn’t fallen for someone else by then, I’d win ten percent of the family shares as my wedding dowry.

If I lost, I’d go back home and agree to arranged dates.

With Mark’s proposal trending all over the internet, there was no way Michael could’ve possibly missed it.

My relationship with Mark ended after six years.

I accepted the loss and replied calmly, “Yeah. I’ll fly back in three days and start going on the dates.”

That night, I dragged my exhausted body back to the hotel, only to find Mark waiting inside my room.

The company had come to Colmar for a retreat, so the employees were staying at the hotel.

Mark, being a clean freak, stayed at his private estate nearby.

Hearing movement by the door, he didn’t even look up.

“Where were you?” he asked coldly.

Kicking off my shoes, I gave a vague reply.

“Nowhere.”

I didn’t offer details, nor did Mark ask for any.

Instead, he casually handed over a pink gift box.

“Lana picked this out for you. Isn’t she thoughtful?

“And about the trending topic, get someone to clean it up fast. Don’t let it damage her reputation. She’s not in a state to handle stress right now.”

I opened the box to find a preserved green rose.

If I remembered correctly, Mark had given Lana ninety-nine preserved roses of various colors yesterday.

She’d even complained on Instagram that the green one was the ugliest.

Now, he was re-gifting it to me.

I gave a quiet “Mm” and set it aside, not saying anything else.

Sensing my off mood, Mark tried to explain. It was something he never did.

“You’re upset? Nothing’s going on between me and Lana…”

As he stepped closer, the strong scent of alcohol hit me. Mixed with it was Lana’s favorite jasmine perfume.

I caught a glimpse of his disheveled collar, under which faint hickeys were strewn across his skin.

I casually stepped aside and pretended to get some water.

“I know there’s nothing going on between you two.”

Then, after a pause, I added, “I’m not angry.”

I had known his answer long ago.

Every time he chose Lana over me, he would say, “We’re just friends. If something were going to happen, it would’ve already.”

Oddly enough, this time, my response set him off.

His face twisted in frustration, and his voice turned cold.

“Then what’s your attitude now?”

“If you know there’s nothing between us, why are you still giving me that look?”

I was slightly speechless.

How was I giving him attitude by not agreeing with him?

I took a deep breath, just about to speak, when his phone rang with Lana’s custom ringtone.

Mark shot me a cold glance before turning away to answer, voice softening instantly.

“Mark, my stomach suddenly feels weird… Can you come check on me? Maybe take me to the hospital?”

“Okay, stay put. I’ll be there soon.”

Before he even hung up, he was already walking toward the door.

Just as he reached for the handle, he paused and looked back at me in a rare move.

“There’s a problem with a client. I need to go deal with it.

“Get some rest. No need to wait up for me.”

He didn’t wait for my reply. He grabbed his coat and left in a rush.

…

I sent my resignation letter to HR’s email.

However, I instructed her to read it after the retreat ended, and we were back home.

Not long after, I got a message from Lana.

It was a photo of Mark in the kitchen, making porridge.

“The baby was kicking non-stop. As soon as Daddy showed up, he calmed down.

“Isn’t that legendary parent-child connection?”

I didn’t rise to Lana’s provocation. I simply blocked her and moved on.

With a quiet, bitter smile, I began packing my things.

The next morning, our itinerary was open. I decided to explore the town I’d always longed to see.

Walking down the storybook streets, surrounded by flowers, I realized it was all fine.

I chuckled bitterly, and something inside me finally let go. Why was I so obsessed with coming here before?

After wandering a bit, I bought a huge bouquet of flowers and turned to head back to the hotel.

That’s when I passed a bar up ahead and heard someone playing the piano and singing.

“I think I’ve seen this film before...”

I stepped forward to walk toward the sound and froze.

That deep, husky voice… It was Mark.

At the end of the song, his tone softened into something warm and lazy. “Live happily ever after with the one you love in a perfect little town.”

Mark always wore suits, never casual clothes. But today, he looked like a young college kid again.

His eyes were full of affection as he gazed at his unforgettable first love from all those years ago.

My nails dug deep into my palms.

Staring at Mark, I remembered just how much he hated singing.

Once, at a friend’s birthday party, I asked him to do a duet with me at karaoke.

He lost it on the spot, throwing the mic and snapping at me. “Can you stop being so childish? I hate singing!”

Yet here he was, pouring his heart out in front of everyone, all for Lana.

The mood was electric as the crowd erupted in applause.

I clapped along too, watching them kiss like a couple in love.

My eyes burned. Still, I smiled as I walked calmly into the crowd.

The moment Mark saw me, his face darkened. “Rosie, seriously? Do you have to follow me everywhere?!”

He thought I was stalking him and didn’t even bother to hide his irritation.

I smiled. “Didn’t you say there was a problem with a client?”

Then I pointed at the lipstick smudge still on his lips. “So that’s what you meant by business negotiation, kissing?”

He scowled at my sarcasm, brows furrowing.

“Rosie, can you stop making a scene?!

“Lana was upset and wanted to hear a song. Don’t blow this out of proportion.”

Behind him, Lana giggled and stuck out her tongue.

“Sorry, Rosie. Don’t blame Mark. I just gave him a kiss as a reward for singing so well!”

At that, Mark patted her head indulgently.

Then he turned to me, his tone softening.

“I was actually going to come find you.

“There’s a fireworks show tonight. I’ll take you to see it.”

His deep black eyes almost held a trace of the old warmth. It was just like when he used to promise to take me anywhere I wanted.

I agreed, just to fulfill a wish from the past.

The town square was packed with people waiting for the fireworks.

At 8 p.m., the fireworks exploded across the sky in a brilliant display.

Couples kissed and cheered in the lively atmosphere.

I turned, only to find neither Mark nor Lana beside me.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

The joyful square descended into chaos.

Panic spread as people scattered in all directions.

I then instinctively started moving toward a safer spot. That’s when someone crashed into me from the side.

In the confusion, someone’s bag chain slashed across my face.

The pain was blinding. I stumbled, nearly falling over.

Through the noise, I heard that all-too-familiar voice.

“Lana, don’t be scared. I’ve got you. Let’s get out of here.”

Mark’s steps never faltered as he shielded a terrified Lana and led her away.

I watched as he disappeared into the distance, cradling someone else. Then I realized, with heartbreaking clarity, that the Mark who once promised to protect me forever no longer existed.

…

Thankfully, a few minutes later, order was restored.

Someone helped me to my feet.

I thanked them, then pressed a hand over my bleeding forehead and made my way to the hospital.