

Chapter 1 - The Unwelcome Guest at the Banquet

I had been with my partner for five years.

At the banquet, he walked in arm-in-arm with his new flame and casually brought up breaking up with me.

This time, I didn’t cry or make a scene.

I took the generous breakup settlement he offered and walked away without a second glance.

But it wasn’t long before he came chasing after me, on his knees, begging me to take him back.

Even my would-have-been mother-in-law joined the plea, urging me to reconcile with her son.

But a cheater is like spoiled fruit—why would I ever take another bite?

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At the banquet.

My partner of five years walked in hand-in-hand with his new lover.

A tense silence instantly fell over the room.

I had been gently peeling an orange, but my fingers stilled as emotions weighed heavily on me.

Pretending not to notice, I asked softly, with just a hint of confusion:

“Goodness, why is everyone so quiet? Did I miss something?”

The innocence in my voice only thickened the awkwardness.

A friend nearby looked at me with concern, his eyes full of sympathy.

“Daisy… are you okay? If you’re hurting, you can talk about it… we’ve got your back.” His words were a small comfort.

Under everyone’s worried gaze, I simply shook my head.

Kingston, though, acted completely unbothered. He wrapped his arm around the slender waist of the woman beside him and casually settled into the sofa.

“Everyone, this is my new assistant. She’s a hardworking young woman. I hope you’ll make her feel welcome!”

He spoke louder than necessary, trying to cut through the tension.

But it only came off as showing off his new relationship.

The assistant, now in the spotlight, lifted her chin triumphantly, her sharp eyes locking onto mine, a smirk playing on her lips.

As if silently saying:

No matter what happened before, I’m the one who won.

Right then, I could feel the competitiveness rolling off her, that drive to come out on top.

Not wanting to drag out the awkwardness or endure more pitiful looks, I decided to slip away. I stood and made my way to the restroom.

Doing my best to keep my posture graceful and calm.

As I closed the restroom door behind me, the hushed but eager whispers from outside drifted in.

“Kingston… we told you Daisy would be here tonight. Why would you bring someone else?”

“Not cool, man.”

“What’s the big deal? Kingston can bring whoever he wants.”

Amid the faint sizzle of cigarette butts and hazy swirls of smoke, the men’s voices slowly faded.

Standing before the bright, clean mirror, I reapplied my lipstick and smoothed down my hair.

I studied my tired, pale reflection and let out a humorless laugh.

“What a train wreck,” I whispered to myself, facing the hard truth of the past few years.

I had always put love on a pedestal—treated it like something sacred.

Almost to a fault.

Chapter 2 - Breaking Free from the Chains of Love

I wished I could be by his side every minute, every second.

Yet all I ever got were countless disappointments and tears.

For a relationship that had long gone sour, perhaps letting go early was truly the right choice.

I took a deep breath, forcing my heart to momentarily set aside all its troubles.

Silently, I told myself:

Daisy, from this moment on, you must bravely break free from these painful emotional chains and start a brand new life.

Back at the party.

The moment I pushed the door open, the scene before my eyes made me freeze, nearly losing my composure.

Kingston was locked in a deep kiss with that woman.

A wave of laughter erupted around them.

My hand on the doorknob trembled uncontrollably.

This was the man I had loved for five years.

In that moment, nothing but bitter irony washed over me.

"Hey, knock it off..." someone whispered a reminder, nodding toward the door.

Everyone’s gaze turned in my direction.

"Daisy, you're back? We were just fooling around, don’t take it seriously..."

But Kingston cut him off, glancing at me coldly:

"Daisy, since you’re here, let’s be straight."

"All this back and forth over the years has gotten old. Whatever was between us faded long ago."

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, yet I felt no pain at all.

Five years of feelings.

How utterly ridiculous.

"Aya is a good woman. I owe her a real commitment."

I nodded numbly. "Fine."

Kingston raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by how easily I agreed.

I turned to everyone present:

"Enjoy the party. I’m leaving."

Then, I walked out.

Conversation from inside drifted unintentionally into my ears.

"Kingston, you went too far this time... I think Daisy might really be hurt."

"How many times has she made a scene? Every time, she ends up crying and begging me to take her back."

Kingston glanced toward the slightly ajar door, smirking with arrogance and indifference. "Mark my words, she’ll come crawling back within an hour."

I happened to overhear this as I returned to grab my purse.

"Too bad, Kingston Montgomery. I will never lay eyes on you again in this lifetime."

His eyes narrowed, displeased by my rare defiance.

I picked up my things and left without looking back.

Everyone thought I was bluffing again, but those words—I meant every one.

Back at the apartment, I started packing my belongings.

After living together for years, everything I needed to take now fit into one small suitcase.

I left behind every single thing Kingston had ever given me.

I pulled open a drawer.

Inside lay a check, the amount glaring—ten million.

The familiar handwriting belonged to Kingston.

He’d written it back when we were still together.

RP: searching but please no ppp app$$$$$$