Chapter 2

Ella Rosales's POV:

Not long after the gala, the rumors started.

A tight-knit circle of Manhattan's elite was buzzing about Holden's new "romance."

Within days, he was seen inseparable from a younger, exceptionally pretty girl.

He flaunted the relationship with great fanfare, showering her with lavish gifts and parading her around at every major social event. It was exactly how he had fervently pursued me once upon a time.

I heard she was completely smitten with him, entirely swept off her feet by his money and charm. I felt a twinge of pity for her. She had no idea what she was about to face.

The official breakup happened a week after the gala.

It was at a private party held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I had reluctantly attended, accompanying a few mutual friends. Then, Holden walked in, his new flame clinging to him as if she were a second skin.

All conversation in the room abruptly stopped. A dead silence fell. My friends looked at me with concern.

"Why is everyone looking at me?" I smiled, without a trace of forced emotion.

Holden strolled over, his gaze sweeping over me with casual indifference. He cleared his throat. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make." He flashed a smug grin at his new prey. "Ella and I are going our separate ways."

My mouth went dry. I simply gave a stiff nod, a polite gesture. I didn't want him to see me break down.

He squeezed the young woman's hand. "I've found true love, something truly special. I want to give her everything." He looked straight at her, then turned back to the onlookers. "She deserves to be loved, deserves to be cherished."

My stomach churned, and a bitter taste rose in my throat. I felt a strange sense of detachment, as if I were watching a terrible movie playing out right in front of me. I nodded slightly, silently acknowledging his words.

He then turned to me. "Ella, I appreciate everything you've done for me, I really do. So, I want you to know that I'll always be here for you, as a friend. If you ever need anything, anything at all, just ask."

He offered a sickeningly sweet smile. "We can still be friends, right?"

"No," I replied, my voice steady, even though my hands were shaking. "We can't."

His smile froze, replaced by a flash of genuine surprise. He hadn't expected me to refuse.

"Since we're breaking up, let's make a clean break. I wouldn't want your girlfriend to get the wrong idea," I said. "I think I should go."

"I can have my driver take you home," Holden offered.

"No, thank you," I said firmly. "I can manage."

I walked out with my head held high.

The door didn't close all the way, and I could hear them talking.

"I bet she'll be back within a week. I bet she'll be begging Holden to take her back before the end of the month."

"Not even a week, give it three days. I bet she'll come running back to Holden in three days."

Holden's dismissive laugh echoed. "She has nowhere else to go. Give it three days, and she'll be back crying and begging me."

Another friend's voice was softer. "You're right, Ella can't live without you. We all know she's crazy about you."

I gave a self-deprecating laugh and casually tossed my engagement ring into a trash can.