I was packing for Finland, ready to chase the Northern Lights with my boyfriend, Lucas.
But instead, I found a stack of photos in his drawerCLucas and Willow, locked in a tight embrace.
Attached were a bunch of gynecological test results.
The dates? The very day I had my stomach cancer surgery.
All his excuses about being "busy"?
He was busy taking her for check-ups.
When I confronted him, all I got was an impatient outburst.
"I was just comforting a friend, nothing happened."
"She was really scared, I just stayed by her side. Can you stop overthinking everything?"
Watching the video on my phone, the one where they were practically glued together, whispering sweet nothings, my heart just died.
After what felt like an eternity, I called my parents.
"Mom, Dad," I choked out, "I'll do it. I'll come home and take over the family business."

After I hung up, a furious pounding started at the door. The door rattled violently, the urgent, jarring knocks making it clear the person outside was beyond furious.
"Scarlett, open the door!"
It was Lucas's voice.
Normally, I'd have rushed to open it, ready with his slippers. My heart always ached for how hard he worked running his company, and I constantly looked for ways to support him, to clear away any worries.
But today, I just sat there, my expression empty.
When I didn't open the door, Lucas didn't hesitate. He had someone force the door open. The first thing he did was storm over to me and shove my shoulder hard.
"Why would you lay a hand on Willow?"
"You know how fragile she is, how easily she gets upset. Why would you try to provoke her?"
Seeing Lucas almost completely lose it, my heart twitched painfully.
I'd bought the plane tickets today, planning to surprise him by packing my bags and heading to Finland to see the Northern Lights.
Instead, I found those intimate photos of him and Willow in the cabinet.
When I went to confront Willow, I was verbally ambushed by her and her friends. Now, I was the one being accused of provoking her.
"Say something! Are you mute?" Lucas's eyes were fierce, like he wanted to devour me whole.
"You can dish it out, but you can't take it? What kind of person are you?"
I lowered my head, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. I didn't have the energy to argue anymore. I casually tossed the photos at his feet.
"What is this?"
The moment he saw the photos, a flicker of panic crossed Lucas's eyes. He instinctively looked away, his voice losing some of its confidence.
"It's not what you think."
"Willow had some women's health issues, and she was really upset. I was just there as a friend to support her."
What kind of "support" requires you to be in bed, intimately embracing a friend of the opposite sex? The absurdity of his words was sickeningly ironic.
Lucas, however, grew more convinced of his own righteousness. "Exactly! It was just friendly concern and companionship. Willow and I are completely innocent."
"Why do you always overcomplicate things? You're so disappointing."
I looked at him, my expression a mix of shock and pity.
What was I still expecting?
I should have known, shouldn't I? Long ago, when he repeatedly abandoned me for Willow.
Lucas and I were college sweethearts. We'd gone from campus romance to what we were now, the perfect couple in everyone's eyes.
For him, I defied my parents and insisted on staying in this city. When he wanted to start a company, I drained my savings and built it with him.
He'd seen me drink until I was throwing up after client meetings, and he'd hold me close, his eyes welling up with concern.
"Scarlett, you're working too hard. Once our business is stable, I'll never let you push yourself like this again."
He'd wipe the sweat from my forehead, promising softly.
"Then we'll get married, at the best hotel, with the most unforgettable wedding."
"I'll make everyone envy you."
His words still echoed in my ears, but the man before me was no longer the same. When he looked at me, there was only annoyance.
"It's not what you think, and stop throwing a tantrum." Lucas's tone was sharp, and he reached out to pull me.
"No matter what, you shouldn't have gone to provoke Willow. Come with me now and apologize to her."
Before I could struggle free, his phone rang. He hadn't been on the call long when his face suddenly changed, and he glared fiercely at me.
"Willow fainted because of you! You'd better pray she's okay, or I swear, we're done!"
After Lucas left, I stared at the door that could no longer close properly, thinking all night.
It was almost dawn when I finally went inside and packed my luggage.
A relationship that had soured, no matter how much you tried to mend it, could never return to its original state.
I used to think I could do something to keep him, but I forgot that someone who doesn't love you won't stay for you.
I took one last look at the room where I'd lived for so many years. No matter how much I cherished it, I had to let go.