Rain hammered the glass roof of the restaurant, each drop a hard metallic tap that blended with the clinking of expensive wine glasses. Alexander stood beside the table, shoulders straight, hands steady, even though his stomach had been tight for the past ten minutes.
Cassidy still hadn't touched the ring box sitting between them.
The candlelight flickered across her face. Beautiful. Cold.
Alexander cleared his throat. "You haven't said anything."
Cassidy finally looked up. Not at the ring. At him.
Then she laughed.
Not loudly. Just enough to make the couple at the next table glance over.
Alexander felt the laugh like a blade sliding slowly under his ribs.
"You're serious?" she asked.
He nodded once.
"I saved for six months," he said quietly. "I know it's not huge, but—"
Cassidy pushed the small velvet box away with a single finger like it was something dirty.
"Alexander," she sighed, leaning back in her chair, crossing her legs. "You really don't understand the world, do you?"
His chest tightened.
"Cassidy…"
"You're poor."
The words landed gently. Calmly. Like she was explaining something obvious to a child.
But the impact was brutal.
The waiter slowed nearby, pretending to adjust a wine bottle while clearly listening.
Cassidy leaned forward slightly.
"You drive a delivery bike," she continued. "You live in a tiny apartment that smells like instant noodles and detergent." Her eyes flicked to the ring box again. "And you think that's enough for me?"
Alexander's fingers slowly curled against the table edge.
"Three years," he said quietly. "We've been together three years."
"Yes," Cassidy said.
Her lips curved in a soft, almost sympathetic smile.
"Which means I wasted three years."
The words drained the warmth from the room.
Alexander didn't move.
Didn't blink.
For a moment the restaurant noise faded into nothing.
Cassidy picked up her wine glass and took a delicate sip.
"Don't make that face," she added. "You should actually thank me."
"Thank you?" he repeated slowly.
"Yes." She placed the glass down carefully. "Because tonight I'm ending things before you embarrass yourself further."
Alexander stared at her.
A muscle twitched along his jaw.
"Embarrass myself how?"
Cassidy tilted her head toward the restaurant entrance.
The heavy glass doors opened at that exact moment.
A tall man stepped inside, shaking rain from his coat while a hostess rushed forward.
Expensive suit.
Luxury watch.
Confident posture.
The kind of man who didn't check prices on menus.
Cassidy's smile changed instantly.
Warm now.
Admiring.
"That's how," she said softly.
Alexander followed her gaze.
The man was already walking toward their table.
Cassidy stood up smoothly, brushing invisible dust from her dress.
"Perfect timing."
The man reached them and slipped an arm around Cassidy's waist like he belonged there.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, voice deep and relaxed.
Then he noticed Alexander.
"Friend of yours?"
Cassidy laughed again.
"Oh God, no."
Alexander felt something inside his chest tighten… then go strangely quiet.
"This," Cassidy said lightly, gesturing toward him, "is Alexander."
She paused.
Then added with casual cruelty—
"My ex-boyfriend."
The word hung in the air.
Ex.
The man looked Alexander up and down.
Taking in the cheap jacket.
The worn shoes.
The delivery helmet resting beside the chair.
Understanding dawned on his face.
"Ah," he said.
Then he smiled.
Not kindly.
Cassidy slid her arm through the man's.
"This is Victor," she said. "My fiancé."
The world seemed to pause.
Alexander blinked once.
"Fiancé?" he repeated.
"Yes." Cassidy leaned her head against Victor's shoulder. "He proposed last week."
Victor pulled out the chair Cassidy had just left and sat down beside her.
"You should stay," he told Alexander pleasantly. "Since you're already here."
Cassidy giggled.
Alexander didn't laugh.
Didn't shout.
Didn't argue.
Instead, he slowly reached forward and closed the ring box.
The soft click sounded louder than expected.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Alexander stood.
The chair scraped softly across the marble floor.
Cassidy watched him with mild curiosity.
"You're not going to beg?" she asked.
Alexander looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Three years.
Three birthdays.
Three winters.
Gone.
Something cold settled behind his eyes.
"No," he said.
Then he picked up the small ring box and slipped it into his pocket.
Victor smirked.
"Good choice."
Alexander turned to leave.
Rain blasted against the glass doors as he pushed them open and stepped into the storm.
The cold soaked through his jacket instantly.
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
He ignored it.
It vibrated again.
Annoyed, Alexander pulled it out.
Unknown number.
He almost declined it.
Then something made him answer.
"…Hello?"
For a moment there was only static.
Then a calm voice spoke.
"Alexander Hayes?"
"Yes."
"Good. We've finally located you."
Alexander frowned.
"Who is this?"
The voice continued as if he hadn't asked.
"Your grandfather passed away this morning."
Alexander blinked.
"My grandfather died years ago."
"Not that one," the voice replied calmly.
A pause.
Then the words that would change everything.
"You are the sole heir to the Hayes Global fortune."
Thunder cracked across the sky.
Alexander stood in the rain, completely still.
"…What?"
"You now control seventy-two percent of Hayes Global Holdings," the voice continued.
Alexander's breath slowly left his lungs.
Across the street, the restaurant windows glowed warm and golden.
Inside, Cassidy laughed at something Victor said.
The voice on the phone finished calmly—
"Congratulations, Mr. Hayes."
"You are now one of the richest men in the country."
Alexander looked back at the restaurant one last time.
Rain streamed down his face.
Then he smiled.
Very slightly.
Because three years from now—
Cassidy Walker would beg to see him again.
And Alexander Hayes would make sure she regretted ever knowing his name.