Chapter 1

On the day Ethan and I were supposed to register our marriage, the million-dollar diamond ring he promised turned out to be a mere can pull-tab. I broke up with him on the spot.

He frantically pulled out a purchase receipt. "The ring is just forgotten at home. If you mind, I'll go get it now."

My gaze fell on the figure rushing toward us, and my voice was cold.

"No need. Your 'shadow' has already delivered it."

A girl with tear-filled eyes rushed over. A diamond ring was tightly stuck on her swollen ring finger.

She sobbed, explaining, "Ethan, I just wanted to help Sam try on the size. It just wouldn't come off…"

Ethan's face instantly went dark. He snapped, "Who gave you permission to touch it? That's for Sam!"

He roughly twisted the ring, but it wouldn't budge.

I watched the farce with my arms crossed, then suddenly chuckled. "It's simple. If it won't come off, just saw the finger."

Ethan froze, then immediately glared at the girl.

"Ashley, look at the mess you've made! If that ring isn't back by tomorrow, don't bother coming to the office!"

Ashley's eyes instantly welled up, but instead of begging Ethan, she turned to me, profusely apologizing, almost prostrating herself.

Her dramatic display drew glances from everyone in the city hall lobby.

"Sam, I'm so sorry. Please don't fire me. I really can't lose this job."

The words had barely left her lips when she suddenly started bending her finger at a twisted angle that made my teeth ache.

Ethan frowned, immediately stepping forward to grab her wrist.

"Are you crazy? You're taking Sam's angry words seriously?"

He pulled out his car keys, dragging Ashley out.

"Get in the car. We're going to the hospital now. That ring has to come off today!"

Throughout the whole thing, Ethan didn't even spare me a glance.

In the city hall, passersby looked at me with varying degrees of sympathy.

But I was remarkably calm.

After all, similar scenes had played out hundreds of times. I had long grown used to it.

Everything changed a year ago at a party.

I was about to announce our engagement.

But the server, carrying a tray of drinks, accidentally dropped a bottle.

She staggered towards Ethan, her eyes sparkling with the surprise of a long-lost reunion.

"Ethan, long time no see. Are you engaged?"

Her familiar tone clearly indicated they weren't strangers.

But I had been with Ethan for five years and knew his social circle inside out. I had never seen her before.

Ethan, who was usually so gentle, lost his temper in front of me for the first time.

"Ashley, do you have any idea that champagne bottle you just shattered costs six figures?"

Ashley's face went pale. She stood there, helpless, like a child being reprimanded, enduring Ethan's anger.

Out of politeness, I didn't pursue it. I just had another bottle sent over.

Afterward, Ethan explained it to me.

Ashley was just his childhood neighbor, who used to cling to him when they were kids. They lost touch completely after his family moved.

When he spoke of her, Ethan's tone even carried a hint of exasperated dread, like a nightmare relived.

But the next day, I ran into Ashley at the office, where she was processing her onboarding.

Faced with my questions, Ethan rubbed his temples, looking slightly annoyed.

"Sam, I couldn't help it. Ashley's parents died in a car accident. She didn't even finish college and is working as a server now."

"Her parents did me a favor once. I can't just abandon her. You'd understand, right?"

I didn't understand, but considering our five years together, I chose to stay silent.

I thought that once we were married and I took Ethan home to meet my parents, I could prove my choice was right.

But I never imagined that on the day we were supposed to get married, inside the ring box Ethan opened, there lay a can pull-tab.

I didn't need to guess whose masterpiece it was.