Abandoned by Her Fiancé

After leaving Whiskers in the care of Aiden Cook at the pet memorial service, I went to get my wounds treated. As the needle for the tetanus shot broke my skin, tears fell uncontrollably. I had always been terrified of needles, and it reminded me of how Maxwell would cover my eyes to distract me during those moments.

"Esperanza, are you okay?" The elevator was packed, so I took the quieter stairwell, only to be confronted by Sariah. She had changed clothes and was now smirking at my injury, as if savoring the drama. "Lucky's teeth are sharp. Bet that hurts, huh?"

I pressed my lips together, holding back the anger boiling inside. "What are you doing here?"

Sariah stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with a smug grin. "I said I had a headache, so Maxwell brought me to the hospital." She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "It's a shame you lost so much blood, and Maxwell didn't even notice. But no surprise there. With all the guys you've been with, it's no wonder he finds you repulsive."

I stared at Sariah in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

Her lips curled into a smirk as she lightly tapped my cheek and whispered, "The men who kidnapped you." She paused, letting her words sink in. "I have videos, you know. Think Maxwell has seen them?"

A buzzing noise filled my head as I opened my eyes wide, biting my lip until it bled. As I reached to grab her collar, Sariah's foot slipped, and she tumbled down several steps.

"Esperanza!" Maxwell's voice echoed with cold fury. He rushed past me to help Sariah, who clung to him, tears in her eyes. "Esperanza, I'll get you another kitten, okay? Please, don't be angry..."

Sariah apologized through her sobs, hiding behind Maxwell. His expression turned harsh as he slapped me across the face. "Esperanza, you've already caused Heidi's death, and now you want to hurt Sariah too? It's just a cat. How could you be so heartless?"

The slap left me stunned, unable to move. Maxwell had struck me three times in my life. The first was when I confessed my feelings for him. The second was after I took care of him while he was drunk, inadvertently leading to a tragedy with his then-girlfriend, Heidi. And now, this was the third.

"Maxwell, don’t hit Esperanza!" Sariah played the savior, quickly grabbing Maxwell's hand, tears streaming down her face. "It's my fault Whiskers died. She has every right to be upset."

I fought back the urge to cry, trying to explain myself. But then I noticed the silver locket hanging around Sariah's neck—the very piece Maxwell had sworn he'd always wear for luck after surviving an accident at twenty, an amulet I had painstakingly acquired through prayer and reflection.

"Maxwell..." I began, but he cut me off, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Apologize to Sariah if you want the wedding to go smoothly."

In seven days, we were supposed to marry—a day I had long dreamed of. I looked at Maxwell's stern face, and under Sariah's triumphant gaze, I bowed my head and apologized. "I'm sorry."