Better Without Your Love

Not long after, Lucas, who rarely posted on social media, suddenly uploaded a photo.

The photo showed him holding hands with Emily, and the ring on her finger was the one Lucas had custom-designed for me.

The caption read, "The ring has finally found its rightful owner."

The comments section was flooded with congratulatory messages.

"Congratulations!"

"Now that's true love!"

"Can't wait for the wedding!"

Lucas and I were together for five years, and not once did he ever post about me on social media. I used to think that he was just a private person and didn't want people looking into his personal life.

As it turned out, he just didn't want to leave any trace of me on his accounts.

I liked the post, but when I refreshed the page, it was already gone.

Right then, Emily walked toward me with a skip in her step, proudly flashing the ring in my face. "It's so beautiful," she beamed. "I heard you're the one who designed it. Thank you, Jessica!

"Lucas told me the only reason we couldn't be together before was because you kept clinging to him. So, thank you for finally stepping aside today. Lucas and I will be together forever."

I replied flatly, "Good to hear."

Lucas, who was hovering just behind her, immediately panicked. My lack of reaction clearly rattled him. "What were you thinking, Jessica Miller? You've ruined everything!"

"I thought everything went perfectly. You went public with your relationship, and everyone's thrilled."

"That wasn't the plan!" he snapped. "We were supposed to announce our relationship. But you went and said Emily was my girlfriend. Now everyone's gotten the wrong idea!"

I scoffed, "You said you were tired of me and didn't want to make things public anymore. So, I helped you out and told everyone Emily's your girlfriend. Besides, you've already posted a photo of her with the ring on social media. Of course, people are going to think she's your girlfriend."

"I was just joking! I didn't think you'd actually take it seriously. You're the one who ruined everything by playing along. I had to say that Emily was my girlfriend because you left me no choice!

"I only let her try the ring on. Go clear up the misunderstanding right now, and I'll forgive you."

Now that I had a second chance at life, I would never beg for love again. I learned the hard way that chasing after someone like that would only lead to pain.

"I don't think your little jokes are funny, Lucas. And I don't see any reason for us to continue whatever we had going on between us," I said firmly.

Lucas stared me down, his voice low and threatening. "If you don't do what I say, I'll end the collaboration between our families. Now, go clear things up."

I was conflicted. Our families' companies had a strong relationship. It would be a real shame if things fell apart because of me.

Emily's face drained of all color. She bit her lip as she tried to keep the tears from falling. "Why do we need to clear this up, Lucas? Don't you love me?"

Lucas cupped her face gently and comforted her. "This is all for the sake of my family business."

"But Jessica has always been horrible to me. She's jealous of the way you treat me. She even sends me threatening messages all the time!"

"Stop lying, Emily!"