At Our Engagement Party, My Boyfriend Went to Find His Childhood Sweetheart

The night before our engagement, my boyfriend went behind my back to see his childhood sweetheart.

By the time I got to the bar, he was already slumped in her arms, crying.

“In our next life,” he sobbed, “let’s make sure we don’t miss each other again.”

I stood behind him and asked, “What about me then?”

He turned around, startled. Panic flashed briefly across his face. “Riley, it was just a joke. Don’t take it seriously.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dream of tearing apart such a loving couple. I’ll be sure to offer my best wishes—boldly and generously.”

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When I stepped out of the bar, snow and wind whipped against my face.

Wyatt didn’t follow me out. No phone call. No text. Nothing.

Not surprising. I was always the one chasing after him. When had he ever cared about how I felt?

I returned to my condo, heart aching, only to find a bouquet of wildflowers and a neatly wrapped gift box sitting on the table.

I walked over. A pink card lay on top.

“To my once beloved. Wishing you a happy wedding.”

It was signed: Cassidy Brooks.

I let out a bitter laugh.

Last year on Wyatt’s birthday, I spent days picking out a gift. Something expensive, something thoughtful. He didn’t even glance at it.

“Riley Hayes, what’s the point of all these flashy things?” he had snapped. “If you’ve got time for this nonsense, why not focus on getting that promotion?”

He tore into me that day. I spent days reflecting on whether I was in the wrong.

But now I wonder—who really dislikes receiving gifts?

The truth is, I’m just not Cassidy. I could never satisfy him the way she does.

He wasn’t always like this. We used to be in love. Deeply, madly in love.

But ever since Cassidy came back from abroad six months ago, Wyatt changed. He grew distant, colder by the day.

When she said she had nowhere to stay, Wyatt took two days off from work—without telling me—and ran around helping her find a place.

Two months ago, Cassidy landed in the ER with sudden stomach pain. She called Wyatt in the middle of the night. I was worried about his safety, so I drove him there myself.

But when I stepped into the hospital room, I saw their hands clasped tightly together.

Wyatt claimed she didn’t mean to grab his hand. Said she was in too much pain to know what she was doing.

Maybe I would’ve believed him… if I hadn’t caught the smug look in her eyes.

I warned him more than once to keep his distance from Cassidy.

At first, he agreed readily—offering explanations before I even asked.

But over time, he grew impatient.

“I’ve explained this to you so many times. Why won’t you believe me?”

“When did you become so petty?”

“If you don’t trust me, maybe we should just break up!”

When the arguments got heated, he’d storm out and not come home all night.

But now… I didn’t want to argue anymore.

I was done.

Tired of fighting.

Tired of hurting.

After showering, I sat in the study and began working.

Around 1 a.m., I heard a noise at the entryway.

Wyatt staggered in, completely drunk, with Cassidy supporting him. She dropped him onto the couch.

The moment she stepped in, she threw me a look of disdain. “Riley, what kind of girlfriend abandons her man at a bar? Don’t you care what might’ve happened to him?”

I smirked, not bothering to hide my contempt. I had no idea what position she thought she was in to lecture me.

“Well, he had you, didn’t he? You’re his childhood sweetheart, his best friend. With you by his side, I had nothing to worry about.”

Cassidy’s face froze.