ents were always too preoccupied with their own precarious social standing and Artis's endless demands to truly see me. My achievements were expected, my struggles ignore

t acknowledgment, but to my lonely t

worthy of his attention, his respect. The reason I built my entire world around him, believing that if I worked hard eno

your family issues, Cayla," he said, his voice firm, already transitioning back to his usual clipped tone. "They can't be allowed to interfere with your work, or

a cold, hard ache. He still saw me, not as a woman, but as a problem to be managed. A liabilit

lat, carefully neutral. "It won't

g a small gathering at his home. An alumni mixer, primarily for the top students and partners. You sh

d ambitious chatter. Declan, as always, was at the center, a magnet for attention. Kisha, a radiant supernova, was never far from his side. She laughed,

ill the brightest star. And Kisha, you two make quite the pair! A match made in architectural heaven,

arted to Declan, a clear invitation for him to respond in kind. Everyone in the room knew about our

Kisha is an exceptional talent, and a wonderful intern. But we ar

e vanished, replaced by a wounded expression. She mumbled an excuse an

ore to himself than to anyone else. And then he followed her, his broad sh

wing look on her face. "You two are still on, right? I mean, with the wedding so close? You

ms to be the only idea anyone has," I replied, my vo

ly? But... why? You see

behind my eyes. The polite smiles, the forced conversations, the lingering scent of Kisha's perfume

secluded garden. The night air, cool and crisp, was a welcome relief from

en I s

ing, her shoulders shaking. Declan had his arms around her, holding her close, his head bent over hers. Her hands were pressed against his chest, clutchi

ed, her voice muffled but clear

But here, in the shadows, he offered her solace, a tenderness he had never once offered me

e had proposed. Not out of love, but out of a sense of obligation. A debt. And I, foolish, desperate me, had accepted. I had convinced myself that hi

the truth was undeniable. He had never loved me. Not in the way he loved her. Not even

wouldn't cry. Not here. Not for them. I walked back into the house, my steps measured, my face an emotionless mask.

Declan. Of course. He was waiting. I paused, my hand on the doorknob