After Eleven Years of Dating, My Fiancé Held a Lavish Birthday Party for His Female Assistant

In the eleven years I was with Jared Jenkins, he never once celebrated my birthday.

But on the day I turned twenty-nine, his driver picked me up and brought me to a lavish banquet.

The venue was filled with imported flowers in every shade, arranged like blooming mountains. The dessert table was stacked high with delicate sweets. The color palette, full of dopamine tones—pinks, peaches, lavenders—made the entire space feel luxurious and romantic.

Just as I reached for my phone to call Jared, the massive screen at the front of the hall lit up.

A photo slideshow began—glamorous portraits of Gina Harlow.

"Miss Harlow, this is Mr. Jenkins' birthday gift to you. He wishes you a very happy birthday," his assistant announced, walking past me to present a velvet box to Gina.

The box opened, revealing a jewelry set I had once told Jared was my dream.

I lifted my gaze slowly and met Gina's eyes—smug, triumphant, daring me to react.

That was when I understood the hostility she'd shown me since the day we met.

Jared had betrayed me long ago.

---

"Miss Hayes, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot I swapped shifts with Finn today. He was supposed to take Miss Harlow here while I drove you to Jenkins Manor for dinner with Mrs. Jenkins. Shall we go now?" Connor, Jared's driver, rushed over, wiping sweat from his brow as he spoke.

He kept glancing at me, gauging my reaction.

"Alright," I said quietly, forcing a smile.

I waited for the coldness in my chest to spread from my heart to my fingertips, then fade.

At least I could speak now. I didn't make things hard for Connor.

Knowing this party wasn't meant for me, I turned to leave.

"Clara, don't misunderstand," Jared said, stepping over from the other side of the room. He stood naturally next to Gina, as if they belonged there.

"Gina's one of my most capable assistants. This party is just a small gesture to thank her for everything she's done for the company."

He frowned as he spoke, then casually handed me a jacket slung over his arm.

"This got spilled on earlier. Can you take it home, get it cleaned, and have Connor bring it back later? I've got a dinner meeting with Gina tonight, and this jacket goes perfectly with her dress. Thanks, I appreciate it."

His words said one thing, but his eyes were completely void of concern or affection.

"Jared Jenkins," I said, smiling faintly as I took a step back, "we're done. You can hand wash the jacket yourself."

I didn't reach for it like I used to.

"Can you stop being so sensitive? I just explained everything. What more do you want?" Jared's expression twisted with disbelief and anger, as if my small act of defiance was an affront he couldn't comprehend.

"So what? You explained it, and I'm supposed to believe you?" I replied, colder than I expected.

I thought I might scream, demand answers, ask him why—how he could do this to me.

But when I saw him standing there without hesitation, firmly at Gina's side, I felt nothing but release.

If the sand slips through your fingers, let it go.

"Happy birthday, Gina," I said flatly.

I didn't even glance at Jared again. I gave Gina, who was glowing with pride, a single look, then turned and walked out of the hall.

As soon as I sat down in the car, I called Jared Jenkins's grandmother Frances Jenkins.

I told her I wouldn't be coming to dinner at Jenkins Manor tonight.

Then, I told her Jared and I had broken up, and she should take care of herself from now on.

Frances was stunned. "Why? What happened?" she asked.

I told her the truth.

Not long after I hung up, Jared's cousin Jason called me.