Donovan and Rebecca handed me the phone.

Loree's voice came through.

"Rowan, something serious happened. Harvey's not doing well. I want to grant one of his wishes first."

I went quiet. Didn't even know what to say.

She'd run from our wedding so many times—and never once apologized. Now she was choosing to marry him.

No explanation. Just one line—Harvey's in trouble.

That was enough for her to throw everything away and marry him instead.

And me?

I'd wasted time, money, everything—proposing over and over before she finally said yes.

I used to think if I tried harder—loved her more—things would get better.

Today, I got it.

To Loree, my love was disposable.

If that's how it was, there was nothing left to hold onto.

I grabbed the bank card off the table. Fifty grand. Meant for her.

Their smug looks froze.

Donovan slammed his hand over mine.

"Rowan, don't rush this. Don't be impulsive. I'll call Loree back right now. Calm down, okay? She's just being immature. You're not seriously going to make a scene too, right? Stay steady."

He was talking to me, but his eyes stayed glued to the card.

Rebecca snapped out of it and hurried to call Loree.

I ignored them and slipped the card into my pocket.

Someone must've warned her. A while later, she showed up—with Harvey.

She clutched his hand like he might bolt, then walked straight at me. "Rowan Rheinberg, what are you doing? I told you Harvey's life was in danger. I went to save him! And now you're taking the money back? Do you even want this marriage? Didn't I tell you to wait? Why can't you just be reasonable?"

Harvey sagged against her, voice soft. "Rowan, I'm sorry for ruining your wedding. But I've got no one except Loree. She's the only family I have."

He lifted their joined hands and shot me a faint, smug look.

Loree didn't miss a beat. "Harvey has nothing left but me. I can't let him lose that too."

She said it like she had the moral high ground—like I was the problem.

Guess she forgot I had no one either.

She'd left me here, surrounded by people who looked down on me, making me eat their laughs and their contempt. Over and over.

She couldn't stand Harvey being alone. Wanted to give him comfort and care.

What about me?

I didn't say it. Didn't care to argue anymore.

I just wanted out.

The girl I'd spent ten years with didn't see it. Didn't see I was done. She just kept going.

"Rowan, can't you be a little understanding? I just left a few times. Is it really that serious? Not getting married? How can you even say that to me?"

She knew exactly how to use my feelings against me.

I'd never said break up. Never said I was leaving—not even in our worst fights.

I knew what those words could do.

Today was the first time I said them.

And she still didn't think I meant it. Just couldn't believe I'd dare.

I ignored her and headed for the door.

Loree sneered. "Fine, go. But leave the money. We invited all these relatives—we need an explanation. And Harvey didn't even go to the hospital. He came straight here. You owe him compensation for emotional distress."

I stared at her.

How does someone say that with a straight face?

Harvey flashed me a quiet V sign. Smiling like he'd already won.

They wanted the money?

I let out a sharp laugh.

"You want me to pay this side piece for emotional distress? Fine. I'll pay him."

I shoved past her and swung.

My hand cracked across Harvey's face.

He hit the floor, clutching his cheek, staring up at me.

The whole room went dead still.

I raised my hand and scanned the room, then let my gaze land on Loree's shocked face.

"This is the compensation. Anyone else want some?"

Everyone froze. Even Donovan and Rebecca—always chasing money—just stood there as I walked out.

I drove home.

I stepped into the small place that used to be full of laughter. Every step hit like a punch to the chest.

Every corner, everything—ten years of us living here together. Memories I thought would last forever, now cutting like glass.

I forced myself to pack. Just kept moving, like that could fix anything.

On the shelf sat The Little Prince—the copy we picked together. A faded movie ticket still tucked inside. Our first date.

I ran my fingers over the cover. Cold. It sank deep.

My tears finally fell, dotting the pages, washing the anger out.

The closet was packed with our clothes and photos.

Her blouses still held that soft lavender scent—her favorite. It used to calm me every time I held her.

Now it just felt like a joke. She wasn't here anymore.

I yanked everything down and tossed it on the floor, like that could burn the bitterness out of me.

It didn't.

The anger faded, and something heavier crashed in right after.

Our photo sat on the nightstand. We were smiling—easy, carefree.

I slammed it to the floor. The frame shattered, the crack ringing through the empty room.

I'm done loving her. She's not worth it.

The good times flashed back—then Harvey wrecking all of it.

His name hung between us like a shadow, pushing us further apart.

She started seeing him more, leaving me behind again and again.

Harvey was her dream guy—the one she never got over. I always knew.

From the start, I hated that he came back. But she'd just brush it off.

"Harvey and I are over. He's just a friend now. He's alone, no one to lean on. I'm just helping him out."

Later, she saw him more and more. Always some excuse.

Sick. Scared of storms. Some problem he "couldn't handle."

Every time, my fiancée had to be there for him.

And me? I got pushed aside.

"Rowan, can't you be more understanding? Harvey has no one. I have to help him. Why are you so cold? Why can't you be reasonable?"

What about me?

I was the one with no one.

I tried to understand. Tried to put up with it. But every letdown made me colder.

Especially watching her ditch our wedding again and again—for that so-called dream guy.

She'd already made her choice.

I wiped my tears and kept packing, hands steady.

Every item I tossed felt like letting go. Every empty space felt like I could finally breathe.

I knew it'd take time.

But I could wait.

Wait for something new—something mine.

No Loree. No Harvey.

Just me... and whatever comes next.

One day left before my flight.

I dragged the trash bags to the door, ready to crash, when the lock clicked.

I was only staying one more night. Guess even that was too much to ask.

I stepped out of the bedroom.

Loree walked in. Harvey right behind her.

Unbelievable. My fiancée brought her side piece straight into my place.

She barely got inside before yelling, "Rowan! Where'd you put the stuff from my jewelry wall?"

I didn't move toward her like before. Just stood there. The noise got on my nerves.

There used to be a whole wall of necklaces by the entryway. She saw some influencer do it and had to copy it.

"What's going on?" she kept shouting.

I yawned and pointed at the trash by the door. "Not just that wall. Your clothes, all that clutter too. Figured you wouldn't have time to pack, so I handled it. You're welcome."

I was leaving anyway. No way I'd leave anything behind for them.

Loree would never ignore expensive stuff. She bolted outside and started digging through the bags.

I'd planned ahead. Buried her stuff under kitchen and bathroom trash.

"Loree, what are you looking for?"

Harvey's eyes were red, fists tight like he was holding something back.

"Enough, Rowan. You've gone too far. How can you treat her like this? She left your wedding for a bit to save me, and you humiliate her? Do you even love her?"

Loree shot me a look. "I really don't get why you're so jealous. I told you what I was doing. Harvey needed me. It was life or death. Can't you drop your drama for once? Why can't you be as understanding as Harvey?"

Her voice sharpened, like she wanted to tear into me.

Pathetic.

I must've been deep in it for her to think she could still control me.

I hated them. Hated the old me even more.

But I was leaving soon. Not wasting another word.

Let them talk.

I zoned out, then Loree cut in. "Rowan, I didn't come back just to say that. There's something else."

She pulled an invitation from her bag and handed it over, face tight.

Harvey stepped in, all attitude. "We're getting married soon. This is the invite. I don't want people talking about me and Loree."

He looked at me like it was a question, but it wasn't. "So be there tomorrow. Give us your blessing."

Loree stayed quiet, watching me.

Anger spiked, but I kept my face steady.

Harvey was pushing me. Hard. And Loree saw it—just didn't say a word.

Didn't matter anymore.

I slipped the invitation away and smiled at her. "Sure. I'll be there. I'll give you my blessing."

She stared at me, like she was trying to read me.

Her hand clamped around mine. "Why? Why don't you look mad at all?"

I smiled. "Isn't this what you wanted? Me agreeing to everything, letting you do whatever you want? That's your version of love, right? I'm doing it now. Still gonna say I don't love you?"

Her jaw tightened, but she had nowhere to throw it.

Harvey suddenly stumbled forward, like he tripped, and fell into me.

I tried to dodge. Too late.

Something flashed from his sleeve.

A knife.

His grin twisted as he used the fall to drive it into my side.

Pain tore through me. I shook, tried to scream, but his hand clamped over my mouth.

Only muffled sounds came out.

Loree panicked when she saw him collapse onto me. "Harvey? What's wrong? Your head again? You dizzy?"

He nodded, playing weak. "I'm fine, Loree. Check Rowan first. I'll be okay..."

She didn't even hesitate. Disgust in her voice. "He's always faking. What could happen to him? Just hold on—I'm taking you to the hospital now!"

She hauled him up and rushed out.

Blood spread under me.

Not once did she look back.

I dragged myself to my phone and texted Eric for help.

Five hours till my flight.

Eric showed up with a doctor. They patched me up. I finally relaxed.

With what little strength I had left, I forced the words out.

"Get me... on that plane."

Loree Koester, goodbye forever.