Get Out of the Cage

The fireworks, roses, and drone portraits…

Everything Ken had planned for this confession mirrored the dream scenario Melanie once described to him. But now, he was using it for someone else.

Her gaze locked on Ken and Jennifer, who both stood together on the stage.

She had already been heartbroken to realize she was just a stand-in, but this scene was a new level of devastation. It felt as though someone had ripped her heart out and trampled all over it.

"Is Melanie here?"

Jennifer's voice could be heard over the speaker, drawing everyone's attention to her.

The crowd parted, and Melanie was ushered forward and onto the stage.

As she passed Ken, he didn't bother to explain the situation. Instead, he leaned close and whispered a warning, "This is an important night for me. Don't screw it up!"

Melanie hadn't even spoken when Jennifer approached them with her tongue stuck out.

"What's the secret? You two seem awfully close—anything going on?" she teased deliberately.

Ken waved his hands dismissively and denied it right away. "No way! Don't misunderstand. She's just a screenwriter for my company. Plain, annoying, and absolutely not my type. I'd have to be blind to be interested in her!"

Melanie's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ken couldn't wait to dissociate himself from her, speaking as though she were some repulsive object.

At that moment, whatever goodness she perceived in him had vanished completely. She could feel her heart breaking, piece by agonizing piece. It hurt, but she would endure it. She would carve him out of her heart, no matter how much it cost her.

Off stage, Ken's friends added to the humiliation by laughing and jeering at her.

"Ken's status is way above someone like Melanie. How could he possibly be into her?"

"Jen, everyone knows Ken only cares about you. When you got a boyfriend and moved abroad eight years ago, you had no idea how devastated he was!"

"Good thing you're single again now. Just say yes to him already. He's been waiting for you all these years!"

Melanie turned to them.

Ken's relationship with her was a secret, but these people knew about it. She used to think they simply didn't like her. Now, she realized it wasn't that. They had never seen her as anything but irrelevant because they knew Ken's heart was never truly hers.

Melanie couldn't find the words to speak. Ken's cold warning glance followed her, as if daring her to react.

The absurdity of it all struck Melanie. For the first time, she felt she was truly seeing him for what he was.

"It's fine. I'm leaving," she said, her voice void of emotion.

Ignoring the laughter, she stepped down from the stage and left the banquet hall. The night air was chilly, stinging her eyes and making her tears harder to hold back.

It wasn't losing Ken that made her mourn. Instead, it was the version of herself who had loved him in the past.

Biting her lip and clenching her fists, she tried to keep herself composed.

For the past eight years, not only had Ken used her as a stand-in, but now he had moved on to confess to someone else without even breaking up with her.

He had played his part well, and she had been foolish enough to believe it.

Her phone buzzed twice, pulling her back to reality. With tears streaming down her face, she checked it.

Jamie had sent her a photo along with a message. [Here's your flight ticket. I'll be waiting for you.]

[Alright. I'll be there in five days.]

Five more days, and she would leave for good—free of Ken and Jennifer forever.

Melanie headed to the stairwell to compose herself before returning to the hotel.

To her surprise, Jennifer followed her.

"There you are, Melanie! You little stand-in," Jennifer spat, her tone full of contempt. "How dare you get pregnant with Ken's child? I'm ordering you to get an abortion right now and leave him. If you don't, don't blame me for what happens next!"

Melanie frowned. How did Jennifer know about her pregnancy?

She was a little taken aback. The hostility in Jennifer's tone unnerved her, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"I'll break up with Ken, but this child is mine. I've always had difficulty conceiving, and I want to keep the baby. Don't worry, I'm leaving the country at the end of the month. Neither I nor my child will ever interfere with you and Ken's lives."

However, Jennifer wasn't interested in a compromise. She sneered, stepping closer before pushing Melanie down the stairs.

"You scheming little tramp! I've seen your kind before. Trying to use a child to secure your place? Dream on!" Jennifer snarled viciously.