On the very day I was supposed to get my marriage license with my CEO boyfriend, Gideon Whitmore, his female assistant, Maris Hartwell, went ahead and registered the marriage with him first.

I had barely asked a couple of questions when Maris suddenly dropped to her knees, her face twisted in anguish as she wailed, "Elena, it's all my fault! I only did this, so my child could get into school. If it weren't for that, I never would've resorted to this fake marriage with Gideon."

She sobbed even harder, threatening to bash her head against the wall to atone for her "sins."

Gideon, always so clear-headed, didn't defend me this time. Instead, he slapped me across the face in front of everyone.

"Maris is a single mom. She did it for her child. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?"

"Hurry up and apologize to Maris on your knees. If you cooperate, I'll let you take a photo with our marriage license to show off in your family group chat. Otherwise, don't expect me to marry you."

I gave a cold, mirthless smile. "Then we're not getting married."

Not only was I done with the wedding—I was done with him.

***

Gideon froze, clearly not expecting his threat to fall flat this time.

After a moment, he sneered, "Elena Ashford, is this your little game of playing hard to get? Why are you so petty?

"Maris is struggling to raise a kid in the city. What's wrong with me helping her out as her boss?

"You can get your marriage license any time. But if Maris is late, her kid can't get into school. Are you willing to ruin a child's future over this?

"With someone as cold as you, how could I ever trust you to be the mother of my future children?"

Listening to his self-righteous speech, I rubbed my numb, stinging cheek where he'd slapped me.

But inside, I felt strangely calm—maybe because I'd grown numb after so many similar disappointments.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Maris, still threatening to smash her head against the wall for my sake. I almost laughed.

She moved as slowly as a snail, her forehead barely brushing the wall. At that rate, she couldn't even break a pudding, much less hurt herself.

Her performance was pathetic, but Gideon bought every second of it.

This time, I didn't cower like before. My voice was icy as I shot back, "Maris stole my license. Am I supposed to thank her for doing such a great job?"

Maris's eyes filled with tears again as she made another show of lunging toward the wall.

"Gideon, it's all my fault! I'll die to make it right!"

Gideon, looking heartsick, rushed to stop her and then turned on me.

"Elena, enough already! Apologize to Maris right now, and give her half your salary as compensation. You owe her that much!"

Gideon always favored Maris. Anytime she was upset, he'd make me apologize and take the blame. Once, Maris cost the company millions by messing up a contract, but he still made me take the fall.

In the past, I compromised again and again because I loved him.

But now, I was done.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize? If anything, Maris should apologize to me."

Gideon's face darkened.

"Elena, you—"

Before he could explode, I turned and walked away without looking back.

By the time I stepped out of City Hall, the sky had already darkened. Watching couples pass by on the street, I felt a bitter ache in my heart.

It was almost laughable. Gideon and I had been together for six years, yet we'd never even gotten our marriage license.

At first, he said marriage would get in the way of his career, that we needed to focus on work.

To help him chase his dreams, I quit my stable, well-paying job and moved to the city with him to start from scratch.

I drank and networked until I helped him climb all the way to the top.

But once his career was secure, he said he needed to test my devotion—he'd only marry me if I passed 52 ridiculous "pre-marriage tests" set by Maris.

So Maris, under the guise of 'testing' me, made me collect handwritten blessings from 9,999 strangers. She dumped ice water on my head as I walked into the office, spiked my water with laxatives so I'd embarrass myself in meetings, and publicly humiliated me at every turn.

She'd even find excuses to pull Gideon away every time we were supposed to have a date, all in the name of "testing" me.

For Gideon, I put up with it all.

Yesterday, after I finally finished a design proposal I'd worked on for a year, Maris demanded I hand it over, saying it was the final test.

That project was my blood, sweat, and tears, but when I hesitated, Maris accused me of not loving Gideon enough.

I gave in, and Gideon finally agreed to get the marriage license.

I was so excited I didn't sleep all night and got up early to wait in line at City Hall.

Just as the license was within reach, Maris swooped in and registered with Gideon instead.

When I questioned it, Gideon defended her, accusing me of having a filthy mind.

But if he truly felt nothing for Maris, why didn't he help any of the other single parents at the company? Why was it always Maris who got his special attention?

Only now did I realize—Gideon's heart had never really been with me.

All those "tests" were just excuses to avoid marrying me.

My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn't eaten all day.

I'd skipped breakfast to get to city hall early, only to end up handing my happiness to someone else.

It was a lousy trade.

I found a restaurant, ate, and just as I finished, I saw that Gideon had posted a photo of his marriage license with Maris on Instagram.

My coworkers flooded the comments with congratulations—and, of course, snide remarks about me.

"So what if Elena's the CEO's girlfriend? Mr. Whitmore is still going to marry Ms. Hartwell."

"How can an old woman like her compete with the young and beautiful Ms. Hartwell?"

***

I knew Gideon was trying to provoke me, but this time, I just coldly liked the post and moved on.

Soon enough, my parents saw the Instagram post and called me in a panic.

"Elena, what's going on with Gideon's Instagram? Why did he marry someone else?"

They'd always worried about my relationship, just hoping to see me settle down.

Gideon kept putting things off, always worrying about Maris, never about me.

Before I could answer, Gideon messaged me.

"Elena, I made sure not to make my account private, so your parents can see that Instagram post. They must be freaking out, huh?

"If you apologize to Maris, I'll tell them it was all a misunderstanding. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with the consequences."

He used to respect my choices, never forcing me into anything. I remember once at his parents' house, his mom tried to make me eat eggs even though I'm allergic. Gideon lost his temper and flipped the whole table.

But now, he'd post on Instagram just to force me to apologize to Maris and upset my parents.

The man who once loved me with all his heart was gone.

I ignored him.

Instead, I texted my parents, "Mom, Dad, Gideon, and I are done. I'll come back home and agree to those blind dates."

They'd never approved of Gideon, but I'd been determined to stay with him, even if it meant leaving everything behind.

Now I realized—they'd been right all along.

"Good, we'll set up some dates for you right away!"

After hanging up, I bought a bus ticket for the next day, then called a cab home to pack my things.

But as I reached my front door, I heard laughter and voices coming from inside.

I pushed open the door and saw three pairs of shoes lined up by the entryway—matching, parent-and-child style.

I recognized one pair as Gideon's. They were a birthday gift from Maris, five-dollar knockoffs from a street vendor, poorly made and cheap. Yet, Gideon treasured them like they were priceless.

The designer leather shoes I'd once given him—worth four figures—were left to gather dust. He'd even told me my taste was embarrassing, that wearing those shoes in public would make him a laughingstock.

For a while, I actually believed something was wrong with my sense of style. I even lowered myself to ask Maris for advice on how to improve my taste. Looking back, I realize now that Gideon just didn't care for anything I gave him.

I kicked the three pairs of shoes aside and walked into the living room.

There was Maris, lounging on the sofa in my nightgown, looking every bit the lady of the house as she watched TV. Her daughter, Abby Hartwell, was running barefoot across my pristine white carpet.

That rug was handwoven by my mom, who'd stayed up countless nights to make it for me. Now, Abby was stomping muddy footprints all over it.

What really made my blood boil was seeing my carefully collected figurines scattered all over the floor. Several of them had their arms and legs snapped off by Abby's little hands.

Furious, I snatched the figurines away from Abby and demanded, "What are you all doing in my house?!"

Abby stuck out her chin defiantly. "Daddy said we could!"

A second later, Gideon came out of the kitchen, drawn by the commotion. He never cooked, but there he was, spatula in hand, making dinner for Maris and Abby.

"Abby, what's going on?" He started, about to scoop Abby up for comfort. Then he saw it was me and froze.

"So, Gideon, when were you planning to tell me you're playing dad now?"

He stared at me for a second, then brushed it off. "Abby's never had a father figure. Letting her call me Daddy isn't hurting anyone. Anyway, what are you doing home so early?"

I nearly laughed.

"This is my house. Am I not allowed to come home?

"But you—who gave you the right to bring them here without asking me?"

Gideon looked at me like he was completely justified.

"Maris's place is too far from Abby's school. The commute is a hassle, and it's affecting Abby's studies. Our house is close to the school, and there's plenty of room. Until Maris finds something better, they can stay here."

"And if Maris never finds a place?"

Gideon glanced at Maris and her daughter with a fond smile. "Then they'll just keep living here. It's no big deal—just a couple more plates at the table."

Funny. When I wanted to have my parents stay for a while, Gideon refused. He said he couldn't sleep with other people in the house, that it would disrupt his routine.

But now he was the one insisting that Maris and Abby move in. I guess, to him, only my parents counted as "other people."

I took a deep breath and said flatly, "I don't agree to them staying here."

Gideon's face immediately darkened.

"Elena, do you have no compassion at all?"

I shot back with a cold laugh. "I guess I'm not as kind as you. You're so generous, you not only married your assistant, you brought her and her daughter home to live with us."

Just then, Maris, who'd been silent, suddenly spoke up.

Her eyes were red as she slipped off my nightgown, looking weak and pitiful. "Elena, Gideon, please don't fight over me. If Elena doesn't want us here, Abby and I will leave. It'll just make Abby's school life harder, that's all. Gideon, I'm already grateful you helped Abby get her school registration. I won't ask for anything more..."

She exchanged a look with Abby, and the next second, Abby lunged at me and bit down hard on my calf, breaking the skin.

Not satisfied, Abby balled her fists and started hitting me.

"You're a bad person! Why are you kicking me and Mommy out? This is my house—if anyone should leave, it's you!"

It wasn't until Abby had beaten me red that Maris finally stepped in and scooped her up.

"Elena, she's just a child. Don't take it to heart."

Before I could say a word, Gideon jumped in. "Maris, you and Abby can stay as long as you want."

"Elena, Maris feels terrible about the marriage thing. She even bought you a gift to apologize, but you're making such a big deal out of it. Honestly, I think you're the one being unreasonable."

I looked over and saw the so-called "gift"—half a leftover soufflé.

I replied coldly, "I'm allergic to eggs. I can't eat that. And I'm not a garbage can—I don't make a habit of recycling trash."

Maris's eyes filled with tears. "Gideon, I know Elena thinks my gift is cheap, but it's the best I could manage. If she doesn't like it, she could just say so. Why be so sarcastic?"

Gideon looked annoyed and shoved the half-eaten soufflé toward my mouth.

"Maris is being kind, and you're turning your nose up? You expect me to believe you're allergic to eggs? Let's see if it's true!"

I couldn't dodge in time. The eggy taste hit me, and I gagged, nearly throwing up. It took me a while to spit out every last bit of soufflé.

By the time I'd recovered, my skin was covered in red hives.

Only then did Gideon remember my egg allergy. Guilt flickered in his eyes.

"Elena, I..."

I couldn't be bothered to listen. I turned and headed for my room.

Gideon followed me, his voice suddenly gentle. "Elena, I just forgot about your allergy because I was upset. I'm sorry, okay?"

For a second, I wondered why Gideon was being so conciliatory. Then he dropped the act.

"But can't you let Maris and Abby stay here for a while? Once Maris finds a place, I promise they'll move out. After that, we'll get our marriage license, and I'll make it up to you, okay?"

So it was all still about Maris.

I shook off Gideon's hand.

"No need. I'll move out right now and leave you three to your happy family."

With that, I started packing my things.

Gideon finally lost his temper.

"Elena, I'm trying to compromise here. What more do you want? If you keep this up, I swear I'll break up with you."

I just gave him a cold smile. "Perfect. That's exactly what I want. We're done."

Gideon was stunned. He'd expected that threatening to break up would make me back down, just like I always had before. He never thought I'd actually agree.

"Elena, do you even realize what you're saying?"

I nodded calmly.

"You're the one who brought up breaking up. I agree. What's the problem?"

Gideon was at a loss for words, his face flushing with anger.

From the living room, Maris and Abby came in, drawn by the noise.

Maris put on her best innocent act. "Elena, I can't believe you'd rather break up with Gideon than let us stay.

"I'll take Abby and leave right now, before we become even more of a nuisance."

She scooped up Abby and hurried out the door. Gideon hesitated for a moment, then chased after them. Before leaving, he couldn't resist a parting shot, "Fine, Elena, if you want to break up, so be it! And if you want to leave, go ahead. I want to see how long you'll keep up this act!"

He thought I was just throwing another tantrum, like all the times before.

I remembered once, when he made me take the fall for Maris's mistake, we'd fought so badly that I stormed out of the house. Gideon searched everywhere for me, and when he finally found me, he broke down in tears, holding me close.

"Elena, I only made you take the blame because I was worried about Maris and her kid. I didn't think about your feelings, and that was wrong. But I just couldn't stand by and do nothing. Please, forgive me."

He apologized so sincerely that I forgave him.

Gideon figured this time would be no different—that if he just coaxed me enough, I'd come back.

But he miscalculated. This time, I was truly done. I wasn't coming back.

After he left, I began packing my things.

I tore down all 999 photo booth pictures we'd ever taken together from the wall and burned them in a single blaze.

Then I wandered into the backyard, staring at the grapevine and the swing.

Because I loved grapes, Gideon had planted a grapevine for me and even built a swing, so we could enjoy summer evenings together.

Now, all of it felt meaningless.

I grabbed an axe and chopped down both the grapevine and the swing, severing, once and for all, the six years I'd spent with Gideon.

After that, I grabbed my house deed and headed to a real estate agency to put the house up for sale.

The house was fully paid for in my name, so selling it was straightforward.

The agent quickly handled the paperwork and listed my house online.

On my way out, I stopped by the office to formally resign.

HR told me my resignation needed Gideon's approval and asked me to call him.

I called him over a dozen times, but he didn't pick up.

Left with no choice, HR called him directly. He answered instantly.

"Mr. Whitmore, Ms. Ashford—"

"The company seal is in the drawer. Let her do whatever she wants. I'm busy. Don't bother me with trivial things like this again."

Before HR could say anything else, Gideon had already hung up.

With Gideon's approval, HR processed my resignation without further comment.

The next moment, I got a taunting private message from Maris.

The photo showed Gideon, who'd always been terrified of heights, riding a roller coaster at the amusement park with Maris and Abby.

The caption read, "Smart people know when to quit."

No wonder Gideon said he was too busy to talk—he was busy playing the perfect family with Maris and Abby.

I replied with a cold smile, "Some people just love picking up trash. I wish her all the best."

Once I finished my exit paperwork, I left the company.

Just as I stepped out the door, the real estate agent messaged me.

"Ms. Ashford, we've already found a buyer. You can sign the contract tomorrow."

"Great, thank you."

After that, I caught a cab home.

During the ride, Maris bombarded me with updates about Gideon's time with her and Abby.

"Gideon took me and Abby on the Ferris wheel. Everyone said we looked like a real family!

"Gideon bought out the amusement park and put our names on it. You're not mad, are you?"

I ignored every message.

That night, Gideon didn't come home, and I didn't care. I slept like a baby.

The next day, after signing the contract with the buyer, I hauled my luggage to the bus station.

On the way, I happened to run into Gideon and Maris just as they were leaving the kindergarten after enrolling Abby.

Gideon was carrying Abby, while Maris clung to his arm, beaming with happiness. They looked so much like a family that even passersby couldn't help but comment.

"What a happy family!"

"The parents are so loving and well-matched. That kid is lucky!"

Gideon just smiled, clearly enjoying every second.

When he saw me, he froze, quickly set Abby down, and pulled his arm from Maris's grasp. For a split second, guilt flickered across his face.

"Elena, what are you doing here? It's work hours—you're skipping work!"

I almost laughed. I'd quit a whole day ago, and he didn't even know?

"Gideon, I've already resigned."

He didn't believe me, his brow furrowing.

"What, breaking up yesterday wasn't enough? Now you're quitting too?

"Elena, enough is enough. Stop making a scene."

Maris's eyes darted, and she put on her best innocent act. "Gideon, I'm sure Elena realized she was wrong and came here to apologize."

Gideon's mood visibly improved, a smug smile tugging at his lips.

"If you want my forgiveness, fine—but you need to apologize to Maris. Also, Maris has trouble sleeping, so you'll have to give her and Abby the primary bedroom and move to the study. On top of that, you'll be responsible for cooking all their meals as an apology. Not a single condition is negotiable."

I almost laughed out loud. Did he really think I was his maid?

I'd planned to tell him about selling the house later, but since we ran into each other, now was as good a time as any.

"Gideon, I can't agree to any of that—because I've already sold the house."

Gideon's eyes widened.

"You sold the house? Something that important, and you didn't even tell me?"

My voice was cold. "It's my house. I can sell it whenever I want. I don't need your permission."

Maris immediately fanned the flames. "Elena, I can't believe you'd sell the house just to force us out. If you hate us that much, I'll call off the wedding with Gideon right now and move out, so you won't have to see us ever again!"

Gideon looked worried. "But didn't you just cancel your lease and use the refund for Abby's school tuition? Where will you go if you move out?"

Maris wiped away nonexistent tears. "Well, if Elena hates us that much, Abby and I can just sleep under a bridge. It'll be cold, but at least we won't have to put up with her anymore."

Abby spat at me. "You're a big meanie for bullying Mommy! Daddy, you should punish her!"

Gideon lost his temper too, snapping, "Elena, you need to stop this nonsense! If you keep acting like this, you'll never get to marry me!"

Faced with Gideon's threat for the hundred-and-first time, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Gideon, have you forgotten? We already broke up. Why would I still want to marry you?"

At my words, Gideon's eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat.

"Elena, when did I ever break up with you?"

I "kindly" reminded him, "Gideon, you were the one who said it yourself at home yesterday. Did you forget that quickly?"

Only then did realization dawn on him. He stared at me in disbelief. "You mean you weren't just saying that out of anger yesterday?"

"Gideon, I've always been serious."

Hearing this, Gideon's face fell, his voice taking on a hint of irritation.

"Elena, you're really going to break up with me over something as trivial as me getting a marriage license with Maris?

"I only did it to help Abby get into school. Is it really worth holding a grudge over?"

Maris started wailing dramatically, squeezing out a couple of fake tears as she jumped in to back him up.

"Elena, if anyone's to blame, it's me. I know it was wrong to get the license with Gideon instead of you, but I only did it for my child's sake. If you're angry, take it out on me—why go so far as to threaten a breakup?

"Gideon works so hard to support the family. As his girlfriend, you don't help him at all—just lounge around at home, living off him. And now you want to break up just to spite him?"

Maris's voice was loud, drawing the attention of every parent at the kindergarten gate. They all stopped to watch the drama unfold.

Every one of them seemed to buy her story, shooting me looks of disdain and muttering among themselves.

"Miss, your boyfriend was just doing a good deed. You don't have to be so petty."

"Exactly. And you live off him, so who are you to act so high and mighty?"

These people had no idea what they were talking about.

Gideon knew full well that for years I'd been the one supporting both him and the company. I was nothing like the leech Maris painted me to be. In fact, he and the business wouldn't be where they are today without my sacrifices.

He knew Maris was slandering me, but he didn't say a word to stop her. Instead, he let her lies spread.

Even as the crowd gossiped and criticized me, he didn't defend me—not once.

I knew he was angry about the breakup and wanted to use public opinion to teach me a lesson.

Every time Gideon got mad before, he'd find some way to punish me—either disappearing until I was frantic or flaunting his closeness with Maris, posting cryptic photos online just to get under my skin.

In the past, it would have left me heartbroken.

But now, all I felt was regret—regret that I'd ever wasted my youth and my future on a man like Gideon.

I glanced up at him. There was no sign he'd step in to help me.

If he wouldn't defend me, I'd do it myself.

I swept my gaze coldly over the gawking crowd and shot back without hesitation.

"You call me petty and jealous, but let's see how forgiving you'd be if your partner went and got a marriage license with someone else! I hope you'll all be as 'generous' as you claim to be.

"And for the record, I'm not the leech you think I am. I haven't spent a single cent of Gideon's money all these years. In fact, he's been living off me!"

With that, I pulled out my phone and brought up a screenshot.

One look at it, and both Gideon and Maris went pale, frozen in place.