Chapter 1

When we went out that day, Edward brought along Emily and her daughter.

There were three cars, and suddenly, there were not enough seats.

He pulled me out of the front seat and put them in instead.

It took five hours to get to Sableton, and somehow, I just didn't feel like going.

I got out of the car calmly and watched them drive off.

Later, I opened Instagram and saw them having fun on the beach.

Someone behind the camera asked why he wasn't coming back for me.

Edward was patiently teaching Emily how to swim. He answered without even looking up, "Olivia will understand. She won't be mad."

He was right. I wouldn't be mad at him again, not anymore.

*****

Actually, when Edward Grant showed up with Emily and her daughter, I had already decided I didn't want to go.

Emily Lane, in an elegant dress, held a little girl's hand, smiling as they walked over to us.

She said, "Hi, Olivia. Edward said you invited us to join the trip. Thank you,"

She smiled sweetly, but I could feel the tiny bite of provocation underneath.

She knew perfectly well I would never have invited her.

Edward put her luggage in the trunk and opened the back door, but paused in surprise.

There were two guys in the back. They were his friend's younger brothers, who had joined at the last minute.

Seeing this, his friend rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Edward, I didn't know you were bringing someone else."

Since Edward didn't say anything, he stepped forward, about to ask his brothers to leave.

Before Edward could say a word, Emily said, "Let them stay. They're just teenage boys."

Emily lowered her head, and the regret in her voice was unmistakable.

She said, "Daisy and I won't be going with you. Have fun, guys."

She took a few steps, then turned back. "Oh, Edward, Daisy couldn't stop talking about going out last night. Snap some pics for her, okay?"

Edward's eyes sharpened for a moment. He swung open the passenger door and yanked me out.

He said, "Olivia, get out. I'll come back to pick you up, okay?"

I had no clue what my face looked like at that second.

Even the two guys in the back ended up getting out, too. "Hey, you can have our seats. We're not going."

I could see some quiet sympathy on their faces, even a bit of apology.

I shot Edward a wry smile as I met his strangely calm gaze.

Guess this trip just wasn't meant for me.

I calmly grabbed my stuff and ushered the two boys back into the car.

Before they drove off, Emily sat in the front holding her daughter and waved at me, looking pretty pleased.

Through the window, I caught a glimpse of Edward's handsome face. Suddenly, I just felt so done with everything.

My eyes landed on the ring on Edward's finger.

That was the ring I gave him when we got engaged. Now, I just couldn't stand the sight of it anymore.

During the five-hour drive, Emily posted nearly ten Instagram stories.

At first, it was all about the scenery, but soon enough, most of her posts were just Edward showing off—driving one-handed and looking effortlessly handsome.

Someone left a comment under her video. [Emily, is that your boyfriend? He's so hot.]

Emily replied with a shy emoji in the comments, then kept posting more Instagram stories about Edward all along the drive.

It was a five-hour drive to Sableton, and when Edward stopped at a rest area, he called me.

He told me to stay where I was and wait for him to come pick me up.

However, I just couldn't bring myself to stand there baking in the scorching sun for that long anymore.

Still, I didn't say a word. I just agreed.

I wanted to see if Edward would actually do what he said and come back for me.

I sat on the couch, watching the clock tick by. Seven hours passed quickly.

Then Emily posted another Instagram story. She was sprawled out on a floatie in a cute summer outfit, letting Edward stay close by her side.

I could hear laughter and someone shouting in the video. "Edward, aren't you going to pick up Olivia?"

Edward paused for a second, and Emily ended up tipping over, swallowing a mouthful of seawater.

Edward just shrugged it off and went back to his usual self. "It's fine if I'm late. Olivia's always so kind. She won't be mad."

I just exited out of the video before it even finished.

I knew for sure that he wasn't coming back for me.

I slowly got up from the couch and took off the engagement ring from my finger.

It turned out it wasn't just my imagination all this time.

Edward was nothing like he used to be.

I couldn't keep fooling myself, holding out hope for our wedding day.

I was the one who planned this whole trip. I booked the hotel, put together all the travel guides, and yet I was the only one who didn't get to go.

It just wasn't fair. Emily got to enjoy everything I'd worked so hard for, like she deserved it.

I called the hotel manager and handled all the arrangements. Then, I dropped the ring into the drain.

The current swept our ring away, just as he let go of me.

I suppressed the lingering bitterness and reluctance, repeating to myself that these feelings would eventually fade.

Finally, after a long time, I finally felt at peace inside.