1 Nick’s “best friend,” Scarlett, was throwing another tantrum. It was our fifth anniversary, and he’d only bought a gift for me, completely forgetting about her. So, Scarlett pitched a fit, sobbing and screaming until Nick blocked me on everything, deleted me, and swapped out our matching profile pictures. “She’s just a kid, you know how she gets,” he’d said, trying to soothe me. “Be a good girl, baby. I’ll switch it back as soon as she’s calmed down.” I reminded him, my voice flat, “This is the hundredth time.” He just smiled and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I know. I’ll make it quick this time.” That evening, Scarlett posted an update: 【Okay, I guess someone behaved themselves. You're granted three days of freedom.】 Almost instantly, Nick unblocked me. 【It’s okay now, baby. You can change your profile pic back.】 But before I could, a different account—one with my half of our matching picture—added him and sent a single message: 【What kind of matching PFP needs three people?】 2 Nick stared at the message from the strange account, then a slow grin spread across his face. “Well, well, Claire. Look at you, finally learning how to make me jealous.” He dangled his phone in front of me before wrapping me in his arms. “My fault, baby, all my fault. You put up with it ninety-nine times without a peep. I guess it’s about time you got a little fire in you, hmm?” “I’m not trying to make you jealous.” I pushed him away. “I’m serious, Nick. We’re done.” He burst out laughing, pulling me back against his chest. “Alright, alright, I get it. I know I messed up. They say three strikes and you’re out, and you’ve let me get away with ninety-nine. I’m not that clueless.” He leaned in, his voice a low murmur. “I came back just for you.” He placed a gift box in my hands. I opened it. Inside, twelve pigeon’s blood rubies lay nestled in velvet, glowing like embers. “A year ago,” he said softly, “you told me you’d marry whoever bought you sunrise rubies. Twelve gems, Claire. One for every month. Do you like how hard I’ve worked for you this past year?” Then, he dropped to one knee, a diamond ring appearing in his hand as if by magic. Suddenly, doors to the other rooms flew open. Our friends burst out, popping confetti cannons. “Happy 25th birthday, Claire!” “Say yes! Say yes!” The sudden ambush left me reeling. Burmese rubies from the Mogok valley—the last auction price for a set like this was in the millions. I’d said it as a throwaway comment, a joke. He’d remembered it all this time? Colorful streamers settled in my hair as Nick took my hand, sliding the diamond onto my finger. “Baby, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.” Just then, his phone rang. He answered, and the smile vanished from his face. I could clearly hear Scarlett’s voice, sharp and furious, through the phone. “Who the hell said you could propose?! I gave you three days of freedom, not a lifetime pass! You forget my gift, and then you go and propose to her? Did you even ask for my permission? What am I to you, Nick?!” He froze, his eyes darting instinctively toward our friends. One of them, who had been filming, stiffened and quickly lowered his phone. Nick shot him a death glare before ripping the ring from my finger and turning to leave. “No, Scarlett, that’s not it! I wasn’t trying to hide it from you!” “Hey! Nick!” someone called out, trying to stop him. “What about Claire…?” “Forget it! Just pack it all up!” he snapped over his shoulder. One of the guys glanced at me, shook his head with a smirk, and closed the lid on the box of rubies. “Man, I really thought he was serious this time. Guess some people just aren’t destined for a happy ending, huh?” “Haha, what do you bet he does to win Scarlett over this time? She sounds seriously pissed!” “I don’t know, but that box of gems is definitely going to her as an apology, right?” That night, Scarlett, of course, posted an update. It was a picture of the twelve rubies, tossed carelessly into a trash can. 【Someone else’s dirty leftovers? No thanks. I’m not interested. Hmph!】 Minutes later, another post appeared. This one featured a custom velvet case holding twenty-four flawless blue sapphires, glittering under the light. Scarlett’s delicate hand rested on the box, and on her ring finger sat a stunning diamond—a DR ring, the kind you can only custom-order once in your lifetime, for one person. 【Blue is so much more elegant than red, don’t you think? And since someone used his one-and-only lifetime purchase on me, I guess I can forgive him this time~】 Nick liked the post. 【Thank you for your mercy, Scarlett.】 Beneath his, a cascade of ninety-nine more likes from our “mutual friends” followed. In the past, I would have been a sobbing, hysterical mess, demanding an explanation. But this time, I just liked the post. Then, I calmly deleted Scarlett’s contact. I deleted all our mutual friends, too. A message popped up from the account with the matching profile picture. 【Claire, listen… changing the pic with you wasn't just about getting back at him for you. The truth is, I…】 【Claire, do you understand what I’m trying to say?】 I paused, letting out a long sigh. 【Thank you, Jack. I understand. And I really appreciate your support.】 【But I’m done with relationships for now. I’m accepting the company’s offer to transfer overseas. For the next few years, the only thing I want to build is my career.】 He was silent for a long time. Finally, a single sentence came through. 【I support your decision. But if you ever need anything, remember I’m always here.】 I sent back a “Thank you so much!” sticker, a warmth spreading through my chest. We’d be working together on the overseas project. I’d find a way to repay his kindness then. That night, I packed my things. There wasn’t much to take. The apartment was Nick’s. The renovations were paid for by Nick. The appliances were bought by Nick. Aside from my personal belongings, there was nothing else that was mine. Maybe that’s why, after five years and a hundred betrayals, all I had to show for it was a hollowed-out heart. I left our home of five years that night and checked into the temporary hotel the company had arranged for me, waiting for my flight out in a week. But as I headed to the ground-floor pool with my swimsuit and a towel, a hand grabbed my arm from behind, yanking me back. “Hey! I knew you’d show up, Claire!” 3 “Nick just got Scarlett to forgive him, so he’s throwing a party to celebrate. We sent you an invite, but you deleted us all! What’s up with that?” “Come on, don’t take it out on us just because you and Nick had a fight.” “See? You were just playing hard to get. You came anyway! Get in here, we were just waiting for you!” I slapped their hands away. “Sorry, but the breakup is real.” The elevator doors slid open. I had one foot inside when a hand shot out, blocking the door. “Claire, Scarlett’s waiting for you. Don’t take this too far…” SMACK! I slapped him hard across the face. “She’s waiting for me, so I have to go? Who the hell do you think you are?” “You—!” “All of you, get the hell back to your party,” I cut him off, my voice ice. “Don’t make me end this ugly.” “Why so hostile?” That familiar voice. I turned. Nick was walking towards me, his arm wrapped around Scarlett’s shoulders, a lazy smile on his face. Scarlett was dressed in a couture gown dripping with crystals. But what stood out most were the twenty-four blue sapphires woven into the fabric. “I’m not angry anymore,” she said, her voice cloying. “Why are you still making a scene, Claire? Here, let me personally escort you inside!” She grabbed my hand, her grip tightening deliberately. The sharp edges of the sapphires and her new diamond ring dug into my palm. I hissed in pain and ripped my hand away. “Don’t touch me!” The violence of the movement stunned everyone into silence. Nick’s smile faltered for a second before he stepped forward, reaching for me. “Baby, don’t be like this. Scarlett’s in a good mood now. Do it for me, okay? Be good.” “Get lost!” I shoved him, and he stumbled back two steps. “I told you, we’re done! Are you deaf? If you can’t understand it, fine. I’ll say it again, in front of everyone. Nick, we are broken up!” The smile froze on his face. Someone in the crowd snickered. “You guys think she’s for real or just faking?” “Totally faking! Fifty bucks says she is!” “I’ll raise you a hundred!” “One thousand!” “Dude, seriously?” “What, you actually think she’s gonna leave him?” “Tsk! Good point. Alright, small bet then. Ten grand!” “Wait, is no one betting that she’s serious? What’s the point of this wager then? Hahaha!” Scarlett raised her hand. “One million. I bet she’s for real.” The crowd erupted in cruel, sharp laughter that surrounded me like a cage. I clenched my fists. The elevator doors opened again, and I turned to leave. “Hey! Don’t go, Claire!” Just as the doors were closing, Scarlett lunged, grabbing me. The force of her pull sent me stumbling, and half my body was caught as the elevator door slammed shut. The car jolted, dropping a few feet with a sickening lurch. I fell to the floor, my body trembling. Staring at the elevator, now jammed halfway between floors, I couldn’t help but think what would have happened if I’d been a second slower. SMACK! I grabbed Scarlett’s arm, yanked her toward me, and slapped her across the face with all my strength. “Do you have any idea what you just did?!” “Scarlett!” The panic on Nick’s face was real this time. He rushed forward, catching her as she fell into his arms. “Scarlett…” he whispered, his voice trembling as he gently traced the red mark on her cheek. Then he looked up at me. His eyes were filled with a cold, alien hatred I had never seen before. So that’s how much she meant to him. Even after she’d done something so reckless, so dangerous, she couldn’t suffer the slightest consequence, not even a single slap? “Claire…” Nick’s voice was dangerously low. His friends immediately understood. They moved, forming a circle around me. I looked around at them. Most were big guys, some twice my shoulder-width. I lifted my chin and met Nick’s gaze. “What are you going to do?” He flinched. I took a step toward him. “Are you going to kill me right here?” The veins on the back of Nick’s hand bulged. I held his gaze, refusing to back down. “Go home,” he finally bit out, helping Scarlett to her feet. She stared at him, incredulous. “Nick? She hit me!” “I said, go home!” he repeated, his voice tight. “Nick!” Scarlett’s teeth were clenched, tears streaming down her face. But for the first time, he didn’t give in. He shot me one last venomous glare and pulled her away. I closed my eyes, trying to quiet the storm inside me. Picking up my towel and swimsuit, I took the stairs down to the ground floor. But I never could have expected that when I finished my swim and stepped out of the shower, all of my clothes would be gone. 4 “Well, well, look who it is.” The familiar, mocking voice echoed in the locker room. I turned to see one of Scarlett’s friends dangling my clothes in her hand, a sneer on her face. “Give them back!” I lunged for them, but another girl yanked the door open and shoved me out into the pool lounge. “Oh my god! Is she naked?” “What is wrong with her? No shame at all.” “Damn! Nice rack. You get a picture of that?” “Got it, got it! Sending it to the group chat, boys. Skin’s practically glowing!” The sound of expensive leather shoes clicking on marble cut through the chatter. The whispers died instantly. “Huh? Mr. Blackwood? What’s he doing here?” I looked up. Nick stood over me, Scarlett clinging to his arm. The earlier distress on her face was gone, replaced by pure, triumphant glee. “Are you satisfied with this punishment?” Nick asked, his eyes soft as he looked at Scarlett. The coldness he’d shown me was now all warmth and affection for her. “Hmph!” Scarlett pouted. “You little sneak. You’ve learned how to play games with me now. For a second there, I really thought you weren’t going to listen to me anymore!” “How could I ever not listen to you?” Nick said, playfully tapping her nose. “Besides, there are no cameras in the locker room. It was a brilliant idea, Scarlett.” “Hmph! Of course it was! Fine, I’ll forgive you this time. But…” she shot me a contemptuous look. “She still owes me an apology.” “Claire.” Nick looked down at me, his voice devoid of any emotion. “Apologize.” I bit my lip so hard I tasted the metallic tang of blood. “What was that?” Scarlett crouched down, her face close to mine. The next second, I spat a mouthful of bloody saliva right in her face. “Ahhh!” she shrieked, recoiling as the red stained her pristine white dress. “It’s filthy! So filthy!” “Claire!” Nick grabbed my chin, his grip like steel. “I told you to apologize, not to add fuel to the fire! Why can’t you just learn to be obedient?” “Obedient?” I forced a smirk, the movement tearing at my raw cheek. “I’ve done nothing wrong! Why should I be the one to be obedient?” The fury in Nick’s eyes burned white-hot before flickering out, leaving only ice. “Since you refuse to learn your lesson.” Rough hands grabbed me, hauling me to my feet. Nick dragged me by the arm, pulling me through the corridor, past the gawking onlookers and their shocked whispers. “What is she doing? Walking around completely naked?” “How can someone be so shameless?” “Women need to have some self-respect. If my daughter ever did this, I’d break her legs!” “Damn, that ass… Hey, get a clear shot! It’s all blurry!” “Nick!” I struggled, but his grip only tightened, a raw, red mark forming on my wrist. “Let go of me! What are you doing?!” The hotel was mostly guests, a limited audience. But when Nick threw the main doors open, my heart stopped.
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