Chapter 1

I found an engagement ring box in Lawrence's coat pocket in the sixth year of us dating. I was anticipating it on my birthday, only to see photos of him with another woman at an upscale romantic restaurant. I rushed over in a cab, only to witness him down on a knee, proposing to someone else. Everyone around them was cheering and urging them to get together. Despite the disappointment that had built up, I didn't throw a tantrum like I used to. Instead, I quietly called Dad. "I'll go through with the arranged marriage with the Shepherds, Dad. Let's start planning the wedding." He was momentarily taken aback upon hearing my words, but the joy soon caught up with him. "I'm glad you've finally come to your senses, sweetheart. It's all about finding a good match when it comes to marriage. While you may go on trials and errors on the outside, you can't live on scraps forever!" I hummed softly as I stood alone in the hall of the romantic restaurant, watching as Lawrence hugged and kissed the woman amidst the cheers of the crowd. Everyone was happily rooting for them while I stood frozen on the spot, unable to move. Overhearing the commotion on my side, Dad urged, "When are you coming back home to meet Mr. Shepherd? His family has been pushing to set the engagement date for a while now." I replied, "Give me three days. I'll go back home as soon as I've taken care of everything here." I might have stood out too much from the excited crowd after ending my call. Right as Lawrence slipped the ring onto the woman's finger with trembling hands, he stood up and noticed me. We locked eyes from across the hall. Seemingly surprised by my appearance, he frowned before taking the woman's hand and going back to their seats. In all six years we had been together, we'd never once come to a place like this—with roses, champagne, and soft love songs playing on the piano. I turned around and left. Lawrence's close friends were all there. The photo I saw earlier had been posted by one of them on their social media. I could still hear them whistling and clapping just before I left. "What a match made in heaven! You've finally made it happen after all these years!" someone said. Another yelled, "Let's toast to the happy couple! May true love always find its way!" I smiled miserably to myself. In the six years I had been together with Lawrence, none of his close friends ever knew about us. But somehow, they all knew about his relationship with that woman. Bitterness filled my throat. Today was my birthday. The initial happiness I felt when I found the ring in his coat pocket had now turned into a poison that tore through me. … I took a cab back home and noticed a delivery man standing in front of my door with a birthday cake in hand. The card on the box had Lawrence's handwriting: "Happy birthday, babe. Wishing you all the best!" The delivery man smiled enviously. "Your boyfriend treats you really well, miss. This is the most expensive cake from our shop, and he even personally wrote you a card!" I pushed open the door and casually set the cake on the table. It turned out Lawrence did remember that it was my birthday today. But what was he doing out there now? Feeling drained, I sank onto the couch and stared into the empty apartment. Tears welled up in my eyes involuntarily. Every corner of the apartment was filled with traces of our life together. Yet my boyfriend had bought an engagement ring and proposed to another woman. Looking at the cake now, I felt nothing but disgust. I stayed slumped on the couch for the longest time when the door to the apartment suddenly opened.