Chapter 3

Ryan froze for a split second, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Emily? What are you even talking about? Our engagement party is tomorrow—you can’t just cancel it on a whim. Are you trying to humiliate me?”

“No way,” he snapped, his voice rising. “I won’t accept this. We’re not breaking up.”

At his words, Mia’s eyes flickered with a barely noticeable flash of heartbreak—and something sharper, darker. But in an instant, she stepped between us, her voice trembling, tears already spilling down her cheeks.

“Ryan, Emily… please don’t fight. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have taken the wrong bag.”

“I didn’t even know you’d given me one just like Emily’s. If she’s upset by it, I’ll never carry it again.”

“You two have come so far,” she pleaded, her voice soft and pleading. “Emily, how can you say something like this right before your big day? You’re only hurting Ryan.”

Ryan’s expression softened immediately at the sight of Mia’s tear-streaked face. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Mia, sweetheart, this isn’t your fault. She’s just upset because she thinks I’m not taking her side. She’s throwing a tantrum.”

His casual certainty sent a chill through me. This was the man I’d loved for five years. The man who’d chosen blind trust in another woman over listening to me—his own fiancée—begging for the medicine that kept her alive.

A fresh wave of pain crashed over me. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, my hands shaking uncontrollably. I swayed on my feet, fighting to stay upright. With the last of my strength, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

“Ryan Hayes,” I whispered, my voice raw but steady, “I really did misjudge you. Five years of love… all for nothing.”

Stung by the slap—and convinced now that I’d been faking my distress all along—he flushed with anger. “Emily Carter, done pretending? You think you can just hit me and walk away? You’ll apologize right now, or you’re not leaving this room.”

The effort of that slap had drained me completely. My head throbbed, my vision blurring at the edges. Ryan’s face swam before me, distant and indistinct.

Then—knocking at the door.

“Miss Carter? Is everything alright in there?” Walt’s voice, warm and familiar, cut through the haze like a lifeline.

Hope surged in my chest. I remembered: Walt always kept emergency meds in the car, just in case.

I staggered toward the door, desperate to reach him, but Ryan grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“Walt,” he called out smoothly, “Emily’s fine. Just a little unwell from the party. Go on home—I’ll take care of her.”

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but Ryan clamped his hand over my lips, pressing hard enough to bruise.

Outside, Walt hesitated. “It’s late, sir, and you’ve all been drinking. Let me drive her home—it’s safer.”

I thrashed, jabbing my elbow into Ryan’s ribs, but my weakened body barely registered against his strength.

“We’ll call a ride-share,” Ryan said, his tone turning icy. “You’ve worked enough for one night. Your family’s probably waiting.”

Mia added sweetly, “Walt, I’m here with her. Nothing’s going to happen.”

I struggled against Ryan’s grip, muffled cries escaping through his fingers. “Walt… they’re going to kill me…”

Before I could say more, Ryan raised his voice, sharp and commanding. “Walt, tomorrow I become part of the Carter family. Do you really think your job is safe if you disobey me?”

His threat hung in the air. After a heartbeat of silence, Walt’s footsteps receded down the hall.

“No…” I gasped, reaching toward the door as my world began to collapse inward. “Don’t go… he’s lying…”