Loving Him Cost Me Everything

The dozens of photos my coworkers had dumped in the group chat came flooding back.

In every single one, he had his arm around Claudia, smiling with a tenderness I'd never seen.

Maybe I was the only one who'd ever felt happy in this relationship.

I turned the photos face-down on the cabinet and started packing.

Clothes, shoes…

It was only when I got to my jewelry that my hands stilled.

The necklace hanging in the most prominent spot on the stand was last year's birthday gift from Robert.

I thought about it, then dug out every gift we'd exchanged over the years.

If we were breaking up, there was no reason to keep them.

The first year, the second year.

Every gift had been matched, one for one.

Only the third year was missing—the anniversary gift and the Valentine's gift Robert was supposed to give me.

He'd entered the wrong recipient, and they'd all gone to Claudia instead.

I sent Robert a message.

【I've already thrown out everything I gave you. The things you gave me are in the bedroom cabinet.】

【Do whatever you want with them.】

When I finished packing, the message bar was still empty.

I opened the group chat. They were still going strong, just now wrapping up.

Claudia had posted to her social media feed.

【You said she was settling, that she was an obligation, that you had no choice. It's okay. I'll wait for you, however long it takes…】

No replies, no likes. This was meant for me, and me alone.

I liked it, switched off my phone, and dragged my suitcase toward the door.

Whatever happened between them from here had nothing to do with me.

I opened the door and came face-to-face with Robert, breathless.

The sight of me seemed to relax him.

The next second, his brows knit again, his voice turning scolding.

"Why come back all of a sudden without saying a word? I was frantic, looking everywhere for you."

I didn't answer. I just found it absurd.

So frantic.

So frantic that he'd finished his dinner, walked Claudia through the entire evening, and only then found the time to come looking for me.

Robert squeezed his way in.

Under the apartment lights, he finally saw the suitcase in my hand.

His face changed.

"It's this late. Where do you think you're going?"

I looked at him, my face blank.

"Moving out. I'll come back later for the rest."

He didn't rush to stop me. Instead, impatience swept over him in an instant.

Just like the old days, after he'd called me by the wrong name and I'd lose my temper, making him swear over and over that he no longer loved his ex.

He drew in a deep breath, forced himself to be patient, and pulled the proposal ring from his pocket.

"Enough. I swear I only love you. Is that good enough?"

"Today really was an accident. I only treated my coworkers to dinner because I'd already paid the deposit and didn't want to waste it."

As though it had been nothing more than grabbing some street food with the team, he soothed me halfheartedly.

"I cleared everything up with Claudia, too. Look, I even got the proposal ring back."

"Let's just put this behind us."

Robert seized my hand and, without another word, shoved the ring onto my ring finger.

But it was far too loose.

The moment I lowered my hand, it slid right off, rolling straight to his feet.

The air went still for a beat.

Looking at his stunned face, I let out a mocking laugh.

"Another accident? You entered the wrong size when you ordered it?"

This ring had fit Claudia's hand like it had been measured for her.

For once, Robert looked a little guilty.

He picked up the ring, coughed a few times, trying to mask the awkwardness on his face.

"It was an accident. I'll have someone resize it later."

"Don't bother."

I cut him off, my voice cold.