Chapter 1

Emily strode into the gleaming lobby of Mitchell Financial, her heels clicking decisively on the polished marble. The usual receptionists and junior associates greeted her with warm smiles, used to seeing the fiancée of their star Ryan Mitchell.

"Evening, Ms. Carter," called out Janice from the front desk. "Surprising Ryan?"

Emily flashed a tight smile, her stomach fluttering with anticipation. "You know me, can't stay away."

She made her way to the elevator, mind racing. It had been weeks since she'd seen Ryan outside of hurried dinners and distracted phone calls. His big merger was finally wrapping up and her massive project was finally done and dusted - time to celebrate and reconnect.

The elevator dinged open on the executive floor. Emily's heels sunk into plush carpeting as she approached Ryan's corner office. Muffled sounds filtered through the heavy oak door. Was that...?

Emily's hand froze on the doorknob. A woman's breathy moan. Rhythmic thumping.

"Oh fuck," she whispered. Her fingers trembled as she twisted the handle.

The door swung open. Emily's gasp caught in her throat.

There was Ryan, jeans around his ankles, another woman bent over his mahogany desk. Papers scattered across the floor. The woman's blouse was rucked up, exposing a lacy red bra.

Ryan's head snapped up at the sound of the door. His eyes went wide with shock.

"Emily! I can expl-"

"You fucking bastard!" Emily shouted. "How could you?!" Tears blurred her vision as she spun on her heel and fled.

Behind her, Ryan cursed and tried to chase after her, trousers tangled around his legs. There was a muffled thud and a yelp of pain as he face-planted onto the carpet.

Emily jabbed furiously at the elevator button, chest heaving. How could she have been so blind? So fucking stupid?

As the doors slid closed, she heard Ryan's plaintive voice:

"Emily, wait! It's not what it looks like!"

She leaned against the elevator wall, legs shaking. "It's exactly what it looks like, you lying sack of shit," she muttered.

The facade had shattered. Now she saw Ryan for what he truly was - a selfish, cheating asshole who had played her for a fool.

As the elevator descended, Emily took a deep breath. She was done with his bullshit. It was time to take back control of her life, starting right fucking now.

Emily burst through the office doors, her vision blurred by hot tears. The shocked faces of Ryan's coworkers swam before her as she stumbled towards the exit, her heels clicking frantically on the polished floor.

"Emily, wait!" Ryan's voice echoed behind her, tinged with desperation.

She spun around, green eyes flashing with fury. "Fuck off back to your mistress, you lying piece of shit!" The venom in her words made several nearby employees gasp.

Ryan reached for her arm, still struggling to fasten his belt. "Please, let me explain-"

"Explain what?" Emily snarled, jerking away from his touch. "How you decided to screw your secretary when you’re meant to be marrying me? Save it for someone who gives a damn."

She stormed out of the building, the warm summer air hitting her tear-stained face. Her chest heaved as she fumbled for her phone, fingers shaking as she pulled up Sophia's number.

The call connected after two rings. "Hey Em, what's up?"

"Soph," Emily choked out, her voice breaking. "I need you. Ryan... he..."

"Whoa, slow down," Sophia's tone shifted instantly to concern. "What happened? Where are you?"

Emily leaned against a nearby lamppost, struggling to steady her breathing. "Outside Ryan's office. I caught him... God, Soph, he was fucking his coworker."

"That rat bastard!" Sophia's outrage crackled through the phone. "I'm on my way. Don't move, okay? And if that asshole tries to talk to you again, kick him in the nuts for me."

Despite everything, a watery laugh escaped Emily's lips. "Thanks, Soph. I don't know what I'd do without you."

As she ended the call, Emily's gaze drifted to the diamond ring glittering on the path where she'd thrown it. For a moment, she considered picking it up - but no. Let him keep the damn thing. She was done letting Ryan Mitchell have any power over her life.

She wiped furiously at her eyes, willing Sophia to arrive faster. The cold wind whipped her hair, carrying the scent of pine and betrayal.

"Emily, please!" Ryan's voice cut through the night air. "Just let me explain!"

She whirled to face him, her grief transforming into white-hot rage. "Explain what, Ryan? How your dick accidentally fell into your coworker?"

Ryan flinched, his perfectly coiffed hair now disheveled. "It's not like that. Things haven't been right between us for a while now."

"Fuck you," Emily spat. Her hands shook as she clenched them into fists. "Don't you dare try to pin this on me."

He took a step closer, hands raised placatingly. "I'm not. I just... I made a mistake. We can work through this."

Emily barked out a harsh laugh. "Work through it? Are you fucking kidding me?" She glanced at her bare ring finger, the skin there still pale from where the engagement band had sat. "There's nothing to work through. We're done."

Ryan's blue eyes widened, a flicker of genuine panic crossing his face. "Babe, please. I love you."

"Don't call me that," Emily snarled. She backed away, her spine hitting the rough brick of the wall. "You don't get to say that to me anymore."

As Ryan opened his mouth to speak again, the screech of tyres pierced the air. Sophia's battered Volkswagen came to a halt at the curb, and Emily's shoulders sagged with relief.

"Emily!" Sophia called, leaning out the window. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the scene. "What the fuck is going on?"

Emily didn't answer, just yanked open the passenger door. She paused, fixing Ryan with a final, venomous glare.

As she slammed the car door, Emily caught a glimpse of Ryan's face. A tiny part of her heart ached, but she crushed it ruthlessly. She'd trusted him, loved him, and he'd thrown it all away.

"Drive," she told Sophia, her voice cracking. "Just... please, drive."

As the car pulled away, leaving Ryan standing alone in the glow of the pub lights, Emily finally let herself break down. Sophia's hand found hers, squeezing tightly as they drove into the night, leaving behind the shattered remains of what Emily had thought would be her happily ever after.