Chapter 2

Maybe the sarcasm in my voice came across a little too clearly.

Wyatt Harlan frowned, his gaze filled with irritation. “Riley Hayes, could you stop with the passive-aggressive crap? If Cassidy hadn’t driven me home tonight, I wouldn’t have been able to catch a ride back at all.”

My lips curled into a silent smirk. “Oh? Then I suppose I should be thanking her? For dragging you out to a bar and getting you drunk the night before our engagement?”

I had barely finished when Cassidy Brooks chimed in sweetly, “Please don’t fight because of me. I’d feel terrible.”

“Riley, could you stop making a scene? Instead of arguing, how about making me some hangover soup or something?” Wyatt slumped onto the couch, massaging his temples, barking orders at me like always.

If this had been any other day, I would’ve rushed into the kitchen without a second thought.

But today, I stood still in the middle of the living room.

The air stiffened, tense and silent.

Wyatt glanced up, annoyed. “What do you want from me? Yeah, I went to the bar with Cassidy, but nothing happened. If you don’t believe me, go check the security footage.”

Cassidy added with a smug edge, “You’re really going overboard, Riley. You’re about to marry Wyatt, and yet you don’t trust him at all.”

I let out a cold laugh. “And who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”

Before Cassidy could say anything, Wyatt exploded. “Riley Hayes! Cassidy’s my friend. Disrespecting her is disrespecting me!”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why should I respect someone who’s interfering in my relationship?”

“Riley! What’s that supposed to mean? You think I’m cheating? Fine. If you don’t trust me, then there’s nothing left to say. Let’s just end it clean.”

He glared at me, his voice sharp and final.

He was sure I’d do what I always did—back down the moment he threatened a breakup.

But this time, he miscalculated.

I looked straight into his eyes and said, slowly and clearly, “Those are your words, Wyatt Harlan. Since you want to break up, let’s break up.”

The room went dead silent.

Wyatt’s expression shifted from shock to fury. “You’ve lost your damn mind! We’re getting engaged tomorrow, and now you’re pulling this? Are you playing some kind of game?”

Watching his eyes tremble with disbelief, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. “Weren’t you the one shouting about ending things peacefully just now?”

He choked on his words.

Cassidy leaned in with a faux-concerned voice, fanning the flames. “He was just upset, Riley. Don’t take it seriously. Please don’t break up because of me—that would be awful.”

Wyatt shot me a pointed look. “It’s not about her. You’re just mad and looking for an excuse to dump me.”

I turned my face away. I didn’t want to argue anymore.

“Alright, enough. Both of you,” Cassidy said, patting my shoulder. “You should try to understand him more.”

Her touch made my skin crawl. I instinctively shook her hand off.

“Ah!” Cassidy gasped dramatically.

Wyatt’s brows immediately furrowed. “Riley, are you crazy? Why’d you hit her?”

He rushed over and cradled Cassidy’s hand, inspecting it like she was made of glass.

I laughed—actually laughed.

Cassidy really was a master manipulator. I hadn’t even touched her with any real force.

I said flatly, “This is my house. If you two want to play lovey-dovey, go do it somewhere else.”

“Riley Hayes!” Wyatt’s eyes were red now. “You’re being ridiculous. Are you really breaking up with me?”

“Yes,” I said calmly. “Start packing. I’ll explain things to both sides of the family.”

Smack.

A slap cracked across my face, so hard my skin went numb. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Wyatt’s voice broke as tears slid down his cheeks. “Why do you get to say it’s over? I don’t accept this! What about the years we’ve been together? Did they mean nothing to you?”

Watching him cry, my heart clenched in pain despite myself.

After all these years, loving him had become a habit I couldn’t shake.

I took a deep breath, trying to give us one last chance.

“Wyatt, if you promise me—really promise—that from now on you’ll cut off all contact with Cassidy Brooks, I won’t break up with you.”

Cassidy’s voice trembled, soft and pitiful. “Don’t let me come between you. She’s your girlfriend, the one you’re supposed to marry.”

She gave a bitter smile. “Back then, I couldn’t give you happiness. I guess I still can’t.”

I scoffed.

Only Wyatt couldn't see through this pitiful act.

Sure enough, the moment she finished, Wyatt—who’d looked the slightest bit conflicted—snapped at me. “Riley Hayes, are you threatening me?”

His eyes were bloodshot, his breath reeking of alcohol. He shoved me hard. “So we’re breaking up? You think I’m afraid of that?”

“Fine! Let’s break up! And don’t you dare come crawling back!”

Pain ripped through my chest so sharp I could barely breathe.

So this is what heartbreak really feels like.

I stared into his eyes and saw nothing but rage, resentment, and scorn. Not a trace of love.

A wave of exhaustion washed over me, drowning everything.

I slowly turned my back to him. “Yeah. It’s over.”