For your entire life, romance was just background noise. You never cared about couples holding hands or sharing sweet looks. Your only goal was to stand on your own two feet, completely independent.

Then, Erik Lindstorm walked into your life.

Three years older than you, he was the new branch manager at your office. People whispered about how handsome and kind he was—the picture-perfect partner. At first, he treated you strictly as a subordinate. But after endless nights of working overtime together, his cold gaze began to soften. Work discussions turned into shared lunches. Small, sweet gestures turned into a relationship. He gave you your very first taste of a truly happy romance.

Two years later, standing on a beach for your anniversary, he got down on one knee. With happy tears blurring your vision, you nodded. A beautiful sapphire ring sat perfectly on your finger.

Then came the chaos of wedding preparations. Booking the venue, tasting the catering, calling vendors. Amidst the rush, Erik grew distant. He claimed work was getting frantic, constantly traveling out of town for meetings at the head office. You trusted him completely. He had never given you a reason not to.

Until the day his phone lit up with messages from Claudia. You knew that name; it was his ex-girlfriend.

"It's just old money issue that we need to handle, honey. Nothing serious," he said every time you asked.

You believed him. How foolish you were. You ignored your worries because the wedding planning was so hectic.

But a buried secret will always rot and smell.

One week before the wedding. You were inspecting the hotel where your reception would be held, checking the bridal suite. As you walked down the quiet hallway, the door to your future room opened. Out stepped someone you knew perfectly well.

Erik. And he wasn't alone. Claudia was right behind him. She clung tightly to his arm, a wide, satisfied smile blooming on her face.

"That was amazing, Erik," she purred, fixing her hair.

Erik merely offered her a faint smirk. "Don't get used to it."

Your world shattered into pieces.

That night, you drove to Erik's house. Every step you took felt heavy, a violent storm of anger raging in your chest. You found Erik sitting casually on his sofa, scrolling through his phone.

"Erik, I can't believe you've been lying to me all this time," you started, your voice trembling.

Erik just looked up. "What is this about, babe? Speak clearly. I don't have the energy to deal with a pointless tantrum."

"I saw you with Claudia this afternoon. You two came out of the room we are supposed to use next week!"

Erik went silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh. "And so?"

"And so? What do you mean, 'And so'?" you cried out. "You slept with her!"

"I was just taking care of my unfinished business with her," he answered, standing up and walking slowly toward you. "Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Claudia needed closure, and I gave it to her."

"Closure by sleeping with her in our bridal suite?!"

"Don't be naive," he whispered. "After the wedding, I will be completely yours anyway. I was just letting Claudia take her final right before you do."

He smiled as if he had just explained the weather. The sapphire ring on your finger suddenly felt like a heavy chain, pulling you down into the dark.

(Swipe for his pov)