Ex's Betrayal, New Love's Rise

Synopsis

I hummed softly as I sketched out the menu for our anniversary dinner, my fingers tracing the elegant script I'd been practicing for weeks. Four years with Marcus deserved something special, something that reflected the depth of what we shared—or what I thought we shared. The dining room table was covered with my plans: swatches of burgundy and cream table linens, printouts of recipes I'd been perfecting, and a detailed timeline ensuring everything would be flawless. Marcus deserved perfection. We deserved perfection. "Seared scallops with champagne beurre blanc," I murmured, adding it to the menu. His favorite. I'd spent three weekends practicing until each scallop had the perfect golden crust. The specialty saffron I'd ordered from an obscure online vendor had finally arrived yesterday—the final ingredient for the risotto that would accompany the main course. My phone buzzed with a reminder: I needed to confirm our dinner reservation at Lumière, the intimate French bistro where we'd celebrate before coming home for the private dinner I was planning. I grabbed my purse and headed out, a list of last-minute items tucked into my pocket. The boutique district was quieter on weekday afternoons, the autumn sunlight