Chapter 1

Company dinner. My fiancée’s junior assistant, Leo, threw a half-eaten eggplant he didn't like into her bowl right in front of everyone.

Without a second thought, Chloe picked it up with her forks and ate it.

That night, when we got home, I told her I wanted to call off our arranged engagement.

She irritably pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Just because I ate the eggplant he gave me?"

"It was *his* half-eaten eggplant, one he didn't like," I corrected her.

"Lucas, you're seriously so petty. You always have to make such a scene over the smallest things."

"Fine then. You want to break up? I'm okay with that. Just don't come crawling back begging me to get back together later."

She just *knew* I'd never leave her, that I loved her too much to let go.

But what she didn't realize was that even the deepest love can erode away with constant pain and disappointment.

This time, I was truly done.

That same day, I talked to my parents about finding a different fiancée.

They were a little surprised but respected my decision.

After that, Chloe went into her usual silent treatment mode.

My phone number, all my social media accounts, even our shared gaming friends list – she deleted and blocked me from everything. It was her go-to move whenever we argued.

She was so sure I couldn't live without her, that I'd be the one to swallow my pride and win her back.

But this time, I stared at that 'send friend request' button, and for once, I didn't hit it.

A week later, a notification popped up in the company’s WhatsApp group chat.

"It's Chloe's birthday today! She's treating everyone, so full attendance is mandatory. No excuses, no days off!"

To avoid making things awkward, I went.

As I entered the private room, I immediately spotted Chloe sitting at the head of the table, with Leo right beside her.

Leo’s lips were pressed close to Chloe’s ear, as if he was sharing some secret.

It was like they were inside an invisible bubble; no one else could enter their world.

Moments later, they both chuckled, their faces so close they were almost kissing.

I couldn't stand to watch anymore and found a corner to sit in.

Everyone started giving Chloe their gifts, but I ignored it all.

I just kept drinking my wine, only to find a shadow falling over me a moment later.

I looked up to see Chloe's excessively beautiful face.

But her expression was still etched with that familiar impatience.

"Lucas, why didn't you get me a gift?"

In the past, for an important occasion like Chloe's birthday, I would have started preparing weeks in advance.

One time, I spent over six months meticulously building her a life-sized replica of the flying house from her favorite animated movie, "Up."

The moment the hot air balloon lifted off, she told me we’d grow old together, just like the characters in the film.

I believed her then, never imagining her promise wouldn't even last three years.

Faced with her persistent questioning, I simply replied, "I forgot."

My attitude clearly infuriated Chloe. She completely lost her patience.

"Lucas, are you done with your little tantrum?"

"Is this tiny thing really worth you sulking for an entire week?"

I looked at the lipstick smudge on her ear, caused by Leo, and my stomach churned with disgust.

"I'm not sulking. And I was serious about calling off the engagement."

At my words, Chloe’s expression stiffened for a split second, but she quickly regained her composure when Leo reached out and held her hand.

"Lucas, please don't misunderstand. I just didn't want to waste food, that's why I gave Chloe my leftovers. If you hate me that much, Lucas, I'll just sit at a different table next time, or wait and eat whatever's left over after everyone else finishes."

Leo’s words immediately tugged at Chloe’s heart.

"Leo, don't say things like that! You deserve the best things in the world. Lucas is the one who shouldn't be here. Who does he think he is? Does everyone have to cater to his preferences?"

"Chloe, don't talk like that. Lucas might be a bit dramatic, but he's still your fiancé. You should try to smooth things over with him. I really don't want you two to argue because of me."

"Smooth things over with him? Who does he think he is? If my parents hadn't begged me to get engaged to him, I wouldn't be with him. He gets mad over every little thing; he's so petty, not like a mature guy at all."

Leo walked over to me, patted my shoulder, and spoke in a seemingly earnest tone.

"Honestly, Lucas, from one guy to another, you’re being a bit over the top this time. Chloe hasn't been able to sleep because of you these past few days. Even though I also think your personalities don't match, you two are engaged, so maybe just meet each other halfway."

I slapped his hand away and sneered.

"Leo, you know what I admire most about you?"

"It's your blatant lies, and the way you shamelessly try to steal someone’s girlfriend while spouting all that sickening crap without an ounce of shame."

Leo's triumphant expression instantly froze.

Chloe completely flipped out.

"Lucas, who gave you permission to slander Leo like that?"

"Slander? Then tell me, why does he own a duplicate of every gift you've ever bought me, and then flaunts them at work? Why does he specifically spread rumors in the company break room every time we argue? And why does he know where your mole is?"

"Enough!"

*Slap!*

Chloe, right in front of everyone, slapped me hard across the face.

My ears rang, and everything went hazy, but my vision was disturbingly clear.

I saw everyone in the private room staring at me with expressions ranging from pity to mockery and disgust.