Chapter 3

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of someone moving around outside.

I stepped out of my room and saw Spencer in the kitchen, wearing an apron and making breakfast.

When he saw me, he smiled and said, "Dakota, you're up. Perfect timing. I just finished. Come and eat."

I glanced at the oatmeal he'd made, then noticed the insulated food container sitting next to him. A wave of nausea hit me.

Spencer caught me looking and quickly slid it out of sight.

But I went straight to the point. "Who's that breakfast for?" I asked.

Spencer's face darkened. "I'm just taking it to work. Things are busy at the office."

I gave him a small smile. "Busy at the office? Why don't I come with you and see for myself?"

He suddenly got annoyed. "Dakota, you've already stepped back from the company. What would you even be doing there now?"

We built the company together right after we graduated. Honestly, it was my family's money that made it all possible.

But when Spencer realized everyone at the company respected me more than him, he wanted to play the big boss. He pushed me aside. Back then, I was so blinded by love, I just agreed without a second thought.

Now I finally saw it. He used me to get everything he wanted, and once he got it, he couldn't wait to toss me aside.

"Spencer, why are you acting so suspicious?" I asked.

He shot me an annoyed look. "Dakota, don't start drama."

I was taken aback.

I just stood there, staring at him, unable to believe what I was hearing.

I just couldn't accept that our seven years together had all been a lie.

Maybe it was just the seven-year itch. Spencer got tired of me. And Lilith, the girl he always said he couldn't stand, suddenly seemed new and exciting.

Or maybe things between us had gotten so bland that sneaking around with her gave him a rush, made him feel alive again.

If he owned up to it and actually ended things with her, should I even consider giving him another chance?

I looked Spencer straight in the eye and asked, "You proposed to me yesterday. So when are we getting our marriage certificate? Tomorrow, maybe?"

He looked annoyed for a second, but quickly tried to calm me down. "Dakota, the company's busy getting listed right now. I promise, after it goes public, we'll get married, okay?"

But after he got his company listed thanks to my family's connections, would he actually marry me?

Still clinging to a shred of hope, I asked, "Spencer, where were you last night?"

If he just told me the truth, maybe there'd still be a chance for us.

But Spencer just replied, "I was at the office last night. Dakota, why are you making such a fuss?"

I lowered my head, defeated, finally realizing the truth.

Seeing I was upset, he brought the oatmeal over and set it down beside me. "Dakota, let me stay and eat with you, okay?"

He pulled me gently into a chair, then served himself a bowl.

But before he could even take a bite, his phone started ringing.

Spencer glanced at the caller ID, shot me a guilty look, and gestured that it was his assistant calling. Then he picked up.

His expression turned serious as he listened, and he immediately stood up. "I'll be there right away."

He hung up, grabbed his jacket, pressed a quick kiss to my cheek, and said, sounding guilty, "Sorry, Dakota. Something came up at the office. I can't stay for breakfast."

With that, he rushed out the door.

I grabbed a tissue from the table, wiped his kiss off my cheek with disgust, and tossed it straight into the trash.

I could clearly hear Lilith's voice on the phone just now.

Even now, he was still lying to me.