Chapter 1
“Sebastian, do I look beautiful?” Roxanne Sawyer asked.
She stood there in a pristine white gown, her graceful figure accentuated by its elegant fit. Her already stunning face was enhanced by delicate makeup, radiating charm and allure.
Today was her engagement to Sebastian Hayes.
Sebastian sat on the couch, his tall frame impeccably poised. His features were so perfect as if carved by God himself. He exuded a natural air of authority, a presence so powerful that it was impossible to ignore.
He lifted his gaze. His cold, piercing eyes revealed no emotion. Before he could speak, the phone on the table rang.
Roxanne’s heart clenched. “Don’t pick up…”
“Hello?” Sebastian answered the call.
She was too late.
Whatever was said on the other end made Sebastian’s expression darken. His tall frame rose from the couch in an instant. “I’ll be right there.”
He ended the call and grabbed his jacket without hesitation. All he left behind was a cold, indifferent back and an even colder statement.
“The engagement is off.”
A sharp pain pierced Roxanne’s chest, as if a knife had been driven straight through her heart. She wanted to stop him. But her feet felt like they were made of lead, refusing to move even an inch.
The heavy slam of the door echoed through the room.
She stood motionless in front of the mirror. Moments ago, her face had been brimming with happiness. Now, all that remained was a pale, shattered reflection.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Liana Halesworth.
“I won.”
A bitter smile tugged at Roxanne’s lips.
Yes, Liana had won. She had always been Sebastian’s first love, the one he kept in his heart like an untouchable dream.
For seven years, Roxanne had stayed by his side, loving him and warming him. She had been hoping that he would see her one day. In the end, she was nothing but a joke.
One call from Liana, and Sebastian would drop everything—her birthday, their anniversary, and the plans they had made.
And now, he could abandon even their engagement party without a second thought.
Did Sebastian not realize that leaving her like this would utterly humiliate her and turn her into a laughingstock?
Of course, he knew. He just didn’t care.
A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
The overwhelming pain consumed Roxanne. At the same time, there was also a sense of relief.
Roxanne had held on to this relationship for seven years. She had been enduring neglect and humiliation. She had long reached her limit.
Tonight’s engagement party was the final chance she had given their relationship. And clearly, Sebastian didn’t care.
Roxanne took a deep breath. She pulled up her chat with him and typed, “We’re done.”
She blocked his number the moment she hit send.
Dragging her suitcase toward the elevator, she suddenly heard a whistle behind her.
Roxanne’s brows furrowed. She had loathed that sound for seven years. It was Sebastian’s cousin, Mick Hayes.
Mick worshiped Sebastian the most. In his eyes, the “godlike” Sebastian deserved only the best. Roxanne was just a country bumpkin who would never be worthy.
Over the years, Mick had never missed a chance to torment her. Now, he strolled up with a smug grin.
“The engagement got called off, huh? That’s embarrassing. Are you running away now? Don’t worry. I wouldn’t let you leave so easily. Everyone, come out now!”
He clapped his hands.
Instantly, six of his lowlife friends emerged. Their cameras were aimed at her, ready to capture her humiliation.
Mick grinned, shoving an imaginary microphone in her face.
“So, Roxanne, how does it feel to be dumped before the engagement party?”
Laughter erupted around her, their eyes filled with mockery.
Roxanne felt nothing. She had lived through this for seven years. Crossing her arms, she met Mick’s gaze with icy amusement.
“How does it feel? Honestly, it wasn’t great. But I bet it’s still better than how a bastard like you feels every day. Right, Mick?”
With just one sentence, the laughter died instantly.
The air went still. Mick’s face turned ashen.
Although he was Sebastian’s cousin in name, there was no real blood connection between them. Mick was the product of his mother’s affair. That was his deepest shame.
For years, because he was part of the Hayes family and acknowledged by Sebastian as his cousin, Roxanne endured all of Mick’s taunts and humiliation.
But now, she didn’t even want Sebastian anymore. Why would she put up with Mick?
Mick’s fury exploded. “You bitch! You’re asking for it!”
He raised his hand high and aimed a slap at Roxanne’s delicate face. She didn’t flinch. Instead, she swiftly dodged and kicked him hard in the stomach.
Mick staggered back, falling to the ground. He looked up at Roxanne in disbelief.
“How dare you hit me! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Sebastian?”
Roxanne gave him a cold, piercing look.
“Go ahead, you brat! I only put up with you before because of Sebastian. Now that I don’t want him anymore, why would I care about you?”
She couldn’t be bothered to waste another second on him and started to drag her suitcase away.
Mick’s voice turned shrill with rage.
“Fine! If you’ve got any guts, don’t ever come back! Don’t you dare cry to Sebastian begging him to take you back!”
Roxanne paused for a moment.
A smug grin spread across Mick’s face.
“Regretting it already? You shameless simp. If you don’t want me ratting you out, get on your knees and lick my shoes. Maybe then, I’ll be kind enough to forgive you.”
Roxanne chuckled. She noticed one of Mick’s friends still filming the scene. She calmly turned her gaze to the phone.
“I, Roxanne Sawyer, am done with Sebastian Hayes. I will never marry him in this lifetime. If I break this vow, may Sebastian die a horrible death!”
