chapter 1

After seven years of dating, I was finally heading to the courthouse with Milton Skeldon to get married—but it ended before we could even step inside.

This was the 18th time Milton had put off getting our marriage certificate for an intern.

The first time, his intern's car broke down on the way, and he ran off to help, leaving me at the courthouse until I missed my turn.

The second time, he had already gotten the forms to fill out, but the intern called, and he rushed off in a panic.

This time, we were halfway there when Laura Brown called again, and Milton left me on the roadside.

"Wait for me. I'll pick you up after I finish!" he said.

However, I didn't want to wait any longer. I handed in my resignation and decided to leave for overseas.

But at the airport, he blocked my way. "Hazel, please, don't leave me!"

…

Then a text from him popped up. "Laura suddenly had severe abdominal pain. I'm taking her to the hospital. I'll bring you a gift later."

I forced a bitter smile. Seven years of dating, and now, on the day we were supposed to get our marriage certificate, he had canceled yet again.

The clerk at the courthouse looked at me. "Ms. Roffe, you've canceled too many times recently. You're on the blacklist now. We won't accept another appointment for a while.

"Go home and tell your fiancé—what could be more important than getting your marriage certificate? You've already postponed it more than ten times!"

I gave her an apologetic smile and turned to leave.

Back at the office, my coworkers greeted me with sympathetic looks.

Amber Nelson, my assistant, spoke up to defend me. "Hazel, that Laura is way too dramatic! She clearly had sick leave, but she insisted on coming in and ended up ruining your plans to get your marriage certificate!

"And Mr. Skeldon too—how can he not tell what's important and what's not?"

I forced a bitter smile and pinched her cheek. Even outsiders could see that getting our marriage certificate should have been the top priority.

But Milton didn't care at all.

It didn't matter anymore.

I opened my laptop, typed away, and wrote two words across the screen—resignation letter.

Amber's eyes widened. "Hazel, you're…"

"Shh! Don't tell anyone yet," I said.

I stayed calm, and she couldn't help but tear up.

Once the resignation letter was printed, I left it on Milton's desk before packing up my things to go home.

A man could have been replaced, but a career could not.

As soon as I got home, the first thing I did was email the overseas laboratory.

I had turned down their offer before for Milton, but now, I had all the time to focus on what I loved.

The reply came quickly. "Ms. Roffe, this project will take three years. It's a closed program. Does your partner agree?"

"I don't have a partner. I can accept any conditions," I replied.

They replied promptly, sending me the contract along with all the instructions.

I went over everything carefully, and once I was sure it was all correct, I signed.

The moment I did, a wave of relief washed over me.

Just then, Milton came home.

Seeing the documents around me, he frowned slightly. "Why did you bring work home?

"Hazel, don't be so tense. Home is for resting!"

I nodded. "Yeah, I know."

My calmness seemed to catch him off guard. He had planned to argue with me, but now all his words got stuck in his throat.

In the past, bringing work home had always upset Milton.

He had said, "Only incompetent people bring work home, Hazel! You're suffocating!

"Can't you learn from others and just relax once you get home?"

The "others" he meant was Laura, someone who could even misplace decimals while checking data.

She could relax because she had no pressure.

I was different. I had tried explaining myself to him before, tried arguing my case, but I eventually realized it was pointless.

He simply thought I was in the wrong.

Now, Milton seemed to notice I was different.

He rubbed his nose and said, "We'll postpone getting the marriage certificate by two days. Here's a gift."

He handed me a box.

Inside was an LV monogram bag.

I casually placed it in the display. There were already 18 identical bags there—he had kept buying the same one just because Laura said it held value.

The little details hiding in everyday life already showed me he didn't love me, and I should have realized it long ago.

Seeing this, Milton frowned in displeasure. "Hazel, can you stop scowling? It's just today's cancellation. Laura's working hard on her own, and she wasn't feeling well. I had to check on her!"

I nodded. "You're right. I'm not angry. You're overthinking."

And indeed, I wasn't angry—there was no reason to be.

Milton was about to get upset when his phone rang.

Laura's voice came through, crying. "Milton, someone's knocking outside my door. I'm so scared!"

"Stay put, I'm coming!"

He rushed out without even so much as a goodbye.