Chapter 1

Everyone knew I loved Ernesto Nelson so much that I would die for him.

After five years of dating, I threatened to jump off a building to force him to marry me, and he broke up with me while holding his new lover.

"Rosie, even if you stood naked in front of me, I wouldn't care. I'm sick of it," Ernesto said.

I didn't argue or beg. I dragged my suitcase and slammed the door.

He immediately made a bet, sneering that I'd be back in less than three seconds.

Three months passed, and I didn't show up.

The young master of AeroNova Group, for the first time, humbled himself and searched the entire city for me. "Rosie, come back right now!"

But all he received was my wedding invitation.

I brushed past him in my wedding dress. He knelt in front of me, eyes red, begging me not to leave.

*****

On Ernesto's birthday, we booked a private room at a KTV to celebrate.

When he walked in holding his new flame close, I was just putting candles on the cake.

For five years, I'd made sure every single one of his birthdays was perfect.

Seeing him show up late, his friends started egging him on. "Finally, Mr. Nelson! You're late, you gotta drink as punishment!"

I looked up and saw Ernesto in his crisp uniform, holding his new flame tight at his side.

The room went quiet for a moment.

Ernesto acted unfazed, calmly introducing her to everyone.

"This is my girlfriend, Amiya Castro," he said.

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone gave me awkward looks.

Everyone knew I'd been with Ernesto for five years, and not long ago, he'd turned down my proposal.

Even though he hadn't officially broken up with me, I'd already become the laughingstock of our whole circle.

Ernesto's stunt just made me feel even more humiliated.

I stood up, doing my best to keep my voice steady as I said, "You guys have fun. I'm going to get some air."

Ernesto's eyes stayed locked on Amiya, not even glancing at me.

I kept my head down and hurried out.

Before the door even closed, I could already hear them gossiping inside.

"Mr. Nelson, you just turned down Rose's proposal, and now you bring your new girlfriend here to embarrass her? That's pretty harsh," someone said.

Ernesto just sat down with Amiya in his arms, totally unfazed.

"She's got thick skin," he said.

The rest of their conversation was swallowed up by the closing door.

I leaned against the wall, my back finally slumping as I let out a bitter laugh.

Everyone knew I was that lovesick idiot, orbiting Ernesto like he was the center of my universe.

I even climbed up to the rooftop, threatening to jump just to force him to marry me.

But he barely looked at me, without a care in the world.

"I've got a flight to catch. When you're done with your drama, just come down yourself," he said.

Still wearing my wedding veil, I watched him walk away, feeling pathetic.

Today was no different from back then. Nothing had changed.

The air in the KTV was still thick and hazy. I lingered for a moment, then finally turned and pushed the door open.

Inside, things had gotten even rowdier. Everyone was already caught up in some new party game.

Amiya was straddling Ernesto, his big hand wrapped around her slim waist, and they were playing the ice cube game, lips pressed together.

Someone joked with Amiya, "Whoa, you're really something! So, Mr. Nelson, how many times can he go in one night?"

Amiya's face flushed bright red, and she nearly lost hold of the ice cube.

My feet felt like they were made of lead. I couldn't move a muscle.

Ernesto hadn't laid a finger on me in forever.

All those feelings I'd tried to bury came flooding back in that moment.

Turned out, this was the man I had spent five years loving.

Finally, someone noticed I was there.

"Hey, Mr. Nelson, cut it out. Rose is right here," someone called out.

Ernesto shot me a sideways glance, reluctantly pulled back, still looking unsatisfied.

Amiya spotted me, her face flushing with embarrassment. She tried to pull away from Ernesto, but he firmly pulled her back into his arms.

My heart hit rock bottom.

He shot me a sideways glance, totally unfazed. "With everyone here, I'll just lay it out. It's been five years. I'm just exhausted.

"Even if you stripped naked right now, I wouldn't feel a thing. I'm sick of you."

After five years together, he'd never been this blunt. It hit me like a slap in the face.

Before anyone could even process the shock, he went on, "I really like Amiya. I'm thinking of bringing her home to meet my folks soon. Rose, stop chasing after me. It's over."

With a sharp crack, the glass in my hand hit the floor and shattered into pieces, just like my pride.

I looked up at Ernesto.

His eyes reflected me, but all I saw was cold indifference.

I nodded, feeling dead inside, and managed just one word. "Fine."

Ernesto was caught off guard.