Chapter 2

But my brain was running on romance. Cason said a few sweet words, and I was so touched that I forgave him instantly.

I even convinced myself that he was just careful with money because he wanted to save up for our future together.

But I never saw it coming.

It wasn't that he was tight with his money. He just couldn't bring himself to spend any of it on me.

Cason knew perfectly well that Bareon Island was the place I'd always dreamed of going.

But the only thing he ever bothered to do for me was take me camping at some random lake in the suburbs.

Meanwhile, he flew Clara off to Bareon Island for a vacation and even threw her a huge birthday party.

It was just ridiculous.

I always joked about how a girl had to keep an eye on her bestie around men, but honestly, Clara would never give Cason a second look.

However, Clara had already been messing around with Cason behind my back.

"Edith... are you okay?" Daniel's voice kept breaking up through the phone lying on the floor.

His voice was still coming through, all static-y from the phone on the floor.

I bent down, picked up the phone, mumbled a quick thanks to Daniel, and hurriedly hung up.

I wandered back to my apartment, feeling out of it. Looking around at the home I'd poured my heart into decorating, I forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile.

This place was Cason's idea, and the rent was pretty steep.

Back then, my salary wasn't much, and after paying the rent, I barely had anything left.

But Cason said, "If you want to be happy, you need a good place to live. Don't worry.

"I'll buy you a big house in the most bustling part of the city, so you can wake up every morning and see the Pretiva River."

I was over the moon and immediately signed the lease with the real estate agent.

But after we signed the lease, Cason came up with another idea.

He told me, "Hey Edith, all my coworkers drive to work every day. I'm a team leader now, and squeezing onto the subway feels lame.

"Why don't you just ask your parents for some cash and get a car? That way, I can swing by and pick you up for work, too."

I thought about it and realized he had a point.

Our apartment was pretty far from both our workplaces, and having a car would definitely make things easier.

Besides, my family was well-off enough to cover the cost, so I asked my parents for the money and bought a car.

But since Cason got his hands on that car, he barely picked me up or drop me off for work.

Obviously, I was mad, so I went to call him out on it.

Cason just pulled me into his arms and started sweet-talking me. "Edith, you gotta look at the bigger picture.

"Who cares about a car that costs hundreds of thousands? One day, I'll buy you a Lamborghini."

Back then, Cason was fresh out of college but already climbing the ladder. He'd landed a team leader gig in no time, and everyone said he had a bright future ahead.

So when he started selling me dreams, I was already daydreaming about our happily-ever-after.

But reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

I had no idea how long I'd been crying when my phone suddenly started ringing in my ear.

I glanced at the screen and saw it was Cason calling.

After hesitating for a moment, I finally hit the answer button.

Cason's voice came through, sounding a bit tired. "Edith, I just got called away for a last-minute business trip and forgot to tell you.

"I just landed. Did something happen? Why did you call so many times?"

Listening to Cason's phony, insincere voice, all I felt was a wave of pure disgust.

Especially right now, I guessed he was probably lying naked in bed with Clara.

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and said clearly, "Cason, we're done. Let's break up."

Even if I'd been blinded by love before, I was finally wide awake.

Cason just thought I was being dramatic. "Are you okay, Edith? Why are you suddenly talking about breaking up?

"I know I've been busy with work lately and haven't taken care of you, but I'm doing this for us, right?"

There he went again.

All these years, I really believed Cason was working hard for our future.

But I had it all wrong.

He was working for a future with Clara, not me.

I wasn't about to waste any more time playing Cason's little games. I cut straight to the chase and exposed him without hesitation.

"So, Cason, did you have fun on Bareon Island?" I asked, my tone cold as ice.

The line went silent, as if he'd frozen on the spot.

I glanced at my phone, double-checking that the call was still connected.

I pressed on, not holding back. "I know you took Clara to Bareon Island, and I know you told her your love for her.

"Tell me the truth, Cason. Is Clara lying right there in bed with you right now?"

Cason tried to explain, his voice suddenly shaky. "Edith, just let me explain.

"Clara and I are here on a business trip, but one of the bosses kept hitting on her, always trying to get too close.

"I had no choice but to pretend to be her boyfriend to keep him away."

Hearing Cason's lame excuse, I found it utterly ridiculous and couldn't help but scoff.

If I hadn't seen those photos and videos myself, I might have fallen for it.

But now? There was no way I was buying any of it.