Chapter 1

After hanging up with Daniel Farrington, my boss, I stared at the video and lit a cigarette. It had been five years since I last smoked.

My hands trembled as I clicked on Mia Lawson’s profile.

It felt like I was punishing myself as I kept scrolling. I found out that my fiance, Caleb Alton, had been cheating on me for two years.

In the past two years, he had stood me up countless times. It was always to be with Mia, his junior colleague.

Even yesterday, on our anniversary, he suddenly told me he had to work late and would not be home.

The truth was that he was at a hotel filming romantic videos with Mia.

By the time Caleb got home, I had finished my cigarette.

He reeked of alcohol as he walked right past me. He frowned when he saw the cigarette butt.

“Why are you smoking again? Didn’t you say smoking makes you age faster?”

I said without hesitation, “Work has been stressful.”

Caleb muttered, “Oh.”

He then lay down on the bed, fully dressed.

A moment later, he noticed that I did not go over to him like I usually did.

He was about to say something, but I interrupted him, “I still have work to do. You should get some rest.”

Caleb did not think much of it. He mumbled a few words and quickly fell asleep.

I picked up my laptop and walked into the study. Just then, I received the contract from Daniel.

I opened the file and signed it right away.

The next morning, Caleb surprised me by waking up early to make a heart-shaped toast.

When I sat down, he handed me a handmade shell bracelet.

“Happy anniversary! I made this myself.”

I was stunned. Then, I remembered seeing Mia’s post on opening a handmade shop last night.

This bracelet was part of the clearance sale and was probably sold at a discount for five to ten dollars.

I could not help but laugh at how he was trying so hard to please me.

“We’ve been together for five years. Don’t you know I’m allergic to metal?” I said as I looked at the metal clasp.

Caleb looked surprised. A flicker of guilt flashed across his face.

But he quickly composed himself and said, “I’ll take note of that next time.”

I smiled softly. I quietly ate breakfast as I waited for him to speak.

In the past, whenever Caleb wanted something from me, he would make breakfast to win me over.

It had become an unspoken understanding between us.

But today, when he noticed my indifference and saw that I did not seem to continue the conversation, he got fidgety.

He pressed his lips together and said, “Can you save a booth for me at the craft competition? I have a friend who needs it.”

After that, he casually began replying to messages on his phone as he assumed that I would not refuse him.

As the event’s main organizer, it was easy for me to secure a spot.

But I recalled that neither he nor his friends cared much about crafts.

I felt uneasy and suspected that this was for Mia.

Without thinking, I blurted out, “Which friend?”

Caleb turned away and looked a little guilty.

“My junior,” he said.

At that moment, I received a WhatsApp message from my assistant, Emily Stone.

She had forwarded a message to me.

[Hello, Mia Lawson here. The owner of Mia’s Craft Corner.]