I had the inexplicable urge to try the restaurant's signature spicy barbecue ribs.

For the past six years, Austin claimed to have a sensitive stomach and never ate anything spicy. Any time he saw me eating spicy food, he would wrinkle his nose in disgust.

"It's so embarrassing to be gobbling up heavy-flavored food like this."

It wasn't just about his own preferences. He tried to control mine, too. The moment I ordered anything relatively spicy, he would lash out right there at the table.

To keep the peace, I gradually changed my diet and even gave up on my favorite spicy barbecue ribs. Looking back now, I realized how foolish I was to have put myself through that.

Just as I was about to taste my first rib in ages, a hand suddenly reached over and flipped the plate over.

Austin had stood beside me at one point, his face full of disgust. "Why'd you eat something like that? The wedding's coming soon. Can't you watch your manners a little?"

I stared at the sauce that had splattered on my heels, momentarily at a loss for words. I had just wanted a taste, nothing more, but he had to ruin it for me.

He said mockingly, "Can you at least try to be a little more presentable? Look at Carmen. She works out every day and keeps herself in great shape. I wouldn't have to do this if you could just be a little more like her."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Carmen, who was standing beside him, his eyes overflowing with affection that he didn't bother to hide.

She lowered her head, feigning humility. "I could never compare to Maeve, Mr. Cooper."

Her pretentious act only made the once-enticing ribs unappetizing.

"If you adore her so much, why not let her be your bride?"

I was ready to leave, but Carmen ran up to me. "Don't be mad, Maeve. I've never been good with words, but I know that Mr. Cooper was only concerned about you. Right. There's something I need to give you."

She took out a bracelet from her exquisite bag, her gesture smug yet deliberately apologetic. "Mr. Cooper gifted this to me, but I can't possibly accept it. I think that you deserve this more."

I barely glanced at the bracelet and said, "You can keep it."

Immediately, her eyes reddened. She wore a pitiful expression and turned to Austin. "Mr. Cooper, did I say something wrong? Why does she seem to hate me so much…"

No sooner had those words fallen than Austin shielded her and hurled the bracelet at me. "Why are you giving her such an attitude when all she wants is to return a bracelet?

"She's just an employee. You don't have to treat her with such hostility all the time."

Naturally, the metal bracelet left a cut on my skin as it grazed my cheek. His temper immediately defused. "I didn't mean to, Maeve—"

He wanted to touch my face, but I avoided him. Instead, I stared at the man whom I had wasted six years on and coldly stated, "I'm done, Austin. Let's break up."

Hearing my words, Austin froze for a moment before letting out a dismissive laugh. "When did you start making such unfunny jokes, Maeve? After six years together and with a wedding on the way, you want us to break up?

"Are you really willing to throw away the perfect wedding you've always dreamed of?"

His eyes were full of scornful certainty, as if he were entirely sure that I wouldn't dare leave. He walked off with Carmen, not even bothering to give me a proper response.

How ironic. After months of preparation, the long-anticipated wedding was finally approaching, yet the groom's heart had wandered elsewhere.

All the years of love and loyalty between us were worth nothing more than the illusion of a grand ceremony to him. He really believed that was all I ever wanted.

A bitter laugh escaped me at the thought.

I returned to the restaurant and ordered double the portion of spicy barbecue wings. After finishing them, I walked past a food district and stopped for a triple-scoop ice cream.

At last, I could finally eat without having a man screaming in my ears. How relaxing.

Back in the high-rise apartment we shared, I stood among the traces of Austin. From the furniture to the decorations, they had all been carefully chosen by him when he was courting me.

I opened my suitcase and packed only a few essential clothes. I'd write the rest off as casualties of this relationship.

I stood before the full-length mirror and studied my reflection. Although I didn't have Carmen's perfect figure, I was still well-proportioned.

I suddenly recalled all the years I gave up on my favorite foods just to please Austin. I ate salads every day, clocked in gym sessions, and felt ecstatic whenever the scale showed a lower number.

How pathetic had I been? If the woman he admired was Carmen, then so be it.

Night soon fell. I finished dinner alone and scrolled through short videos for a while before getting ready for bed. Suddenly, thunder cracked outside, and heavy rain began to pour.

I remembered how every time it rained in the last six years, I would worry about Austin.

Even though he had a chauffeur and a secretary at his office, completely sheltered from the storm, I would still insist on taking a cab across the city just to bring him an umbrella.

However, all I got in return was his annoyed scolding. "Couldn't you have stayed home instead? Why do you have to embarrass me by showing up here every time?"

I laughed at myself as I recalled those memories. I really had been foolish enough to bend over backward for someone who couldn't even bother to say a kind word to me.

All those years of chasing his approval, humbling myself over and over, had been ridiculous in hindsight. Fortunately, it would be over soon.

"Mom, I'm coming home the day after tomorrow. Could you tell Frankie to pick me up?" I texted Mom.

As soon as I sent the message, the bedroom door flung open. Austin stood there, drenched from head to toe, water droplets dripping from his tailored suit. He fixed his eyes on me.

"It's raining outside, Maeve."

I hummed in response, barely even tilting my head. Instead, I was focused on reading about Richard Dawson on my phone.

Austin was rooted to the spot, emanating utter coldness. After a long pause, he said dully, "Why didn't you bring me an umbrella today? Didn't you know that I'd get wet?"

I finally looked up at him. This time, I sarcastically smiled at him. "I remembered you telling me that it was embarrassing for me to show up with an umbrella when you're the cool, untouchable CEO. I was just taking your advice."

His expression darkened. Without saying another word, he slammed the bathroom door shut behind him.

The next morning, I woke up to an empty space beside me in bed. Not long after, Austin had Carmen deliver the custom wedding gown.

I didn't even look up and simply said, "Just leave it."

Carmen didn't leave. Instead, she lingered by the dress, running her fingers along the delicate lace, her eyes gleaming with envy.

"This is haute couture, Maeve. Marrying someone like Mr. Cooper is the luckiest thing that could happen to any woman."

I slowly raised my head, and then, I saw the anticipation in her eyes. She tentatively asked, "Could I… maybe try it on?"

I didn't say a single word. Faced with my silence, she turned around in disappointment, ready to leave.

I simply said, "Do whatever you want."

I was leaving tomorrow, anyway. Meanwhile, Carmen could fill in my spot at the wedding.

She was ecstatic to receive my approval. After changing into the wedding gown, she twirled before the mirror, loving every second of it.

"Not bad," I said flatly. "You should be the bride tomorrow."

The next morning, I dragged my suitcase across the airport floor. When the housekeeper noticed my absence, she quickly ran to the wedding venue in search of Austin.

"Bad news, Mr. Cooper! Ms. Dahlman left a note behind, saying that she'll never return!"

Austin was stunned. He refused to believe it and was about to take the note when someone announced, "The bride is here!"

A dismissive scoff immediately replaced the panic on his face. "There's no way Maeve could ever leave me. I can't believe she's putting on another show."

With that, he tossed the note into the dustbin. He simply assumed that my disappearance was a way to catch his attention.

Austin straightened out his bow tie and turned around confidently. A second later, he froze on the spot, as if lightning had struck before his feet.

Carmen, wearing a white veil, walked down the aisle. "Mr. Cooper…"

His face was stormy as he demanded, "Why are you here? Where's Maeve?"