Chapter 3

Although our wedding was just around the corner, following the values instilled by my parents, Caleb and I had always slept in separate rooms. Since he was about to leave, I decided to tidy up his room. Halfway through organizing, a photo slipped out from the shelf and fluttered to the floor. Curious, I bent down to pick it up. The moment my eyes fell on the image, they widened in shock.

The photo captured a younger Rebecca Hale and Caleb Taylor, both smiling brightly at the camera. Caleb's arm rested firmly around Rebecca's waist, the intimacy in their posture unmistakable. In the background of the photo, there I was, crouched on the ground, busy picking up the trash Caleb had casually discarded. So, it had started that early. The two of them had been sneaking around behind my back, and I had been none the wiser. I had almost given up my entire life for this man. My body trembled with anger as I thought about it. How foolish I had been to believe their claims of pure friendship.

Just then, Caleb's backup phone began to ring, the sound echoing through the room. The caller ID displayed one word: "Becca." I hesitated for a moment before answering. Why was Rebecca calling me when Caleb was probably right there with her? The answer came quickly. On the other end of the line, I heard the unmistakable sound of intimate murmurs.

"Caleb, you just saw Emily a little while ago, and now you're with me. Isn't this too much?" Rebecca's voice was soft and coy, dripping with feigned innocence.

Caleb's tone was filled with irritation as he replied, "Don't bring up that stupid woman. Not only is she boring, but she also always manages to piss me off. If it weren't for her family's money, I'd have been done with her a long time ago."

"You, on the other hand, are smart and thoughtful. I wish I could spend the rest of my life with you," he added, his voice softening.

Rebecca sighed dramatically. "If Emily knew, she'd hate me even more. I just don't know what I've done to deserve all this."

Caleb let out a cold laugh. "Don't waste your time worrying about her. She's been my doormat for years and wouldn't dare leave me. Even if I had a child with you and brought it home for her to raise, she wouldn't object."

I had expected something like this, but hearing it out loud still made my heart ache. The man I had loved for years was now reducing me to nothing more than a tool, a steppingstone for his ambitions. The memories of my youth, my devotion to him—it was all a waste.

Their conversation continued for a while longer before Caleb finally got up to take a shower. Rebecca seized the opportunity to pick up his phone and taunt me. "You heard everything, didn't you? If you have any sense, you'll step aside willingly."

I couldn't help but smile at her bravado. "If he really wanted to be with you, why hasn't he already? Oh, but I suppose it makes sense now. You two are a perfect match—a pair of liars and cheats. Don't worry, I'll gladly step aside. Just looking at Caleb makes me sick."

Rebecca's voice turned shrill. "You—!"

I hung up the phone without hesitation. Then, I packed up every single one of Caleb's belongings and threw them out of the house. Just the thought of his things being in my home made my skin crawl.

A moment later, my phone lit up with a message from him: "Tomorrow's a great day. Want to go get our marriage license?"

The audacity of this man. I replied, feigning surprise: "Isn't that a bit too soon?"

His response came instantly: "I just want to marry you as quickly as possible. I'm terrified my princess might change her mind. Then I'd have nowhere to cry."

I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head.