Yasmine POV
I hummed softly, tying my hair into a messy bun, strands falling around my face. With the final stroke of my brush, I stepped back. The canvas bloomed with colors—The Wildflower Collection was finally complete.
Joy and exhaustion warred inside me. After weeks of relentless work, it was done. I peeled off my apron, the fabric stiff with dried paint, and let my hair tumble free down my back. A swipe of peach lipstick, moisturizer on my tired hands—small efforts to feel like myself again.
Tonight, Nathan would be my reward. Two long weeks apart, and I was finally going to surprise him.
I locked the studio and stepped into the lively New York street. While flagging down a taxi, I dialed Matthew, my agent and oldest friend.
"Yasmine, my girl!" his warm, teasing voice greeted me.
I smiled. "Matt, I'm done. The Wildflower Collection is complete."
"Finally!" He laughed. "Drinks tonight, my treat."
"Not tonight," I said, shaking my head though he couldn't see. "I want to surprise Nathan. It's been too long."
"Tomorrow then. But don't work yourself to death, babe. You deserve some… fun."
"Matt!" My cheeks flushed. "You're impossible."
I hung up, slipping into a taxi. "Madison Avenue," I told the driver, my heart fluttering with anticipation.
---
***
Groceries in hand, I keyed in Nathan's apartment code and pushed the door open. The silence felt off.
"Nathan?" I called, dropping the bags on the counter. No answer.
My heart quickened as I moved to the bedroom.
And there she was.
A blonde woman in a robe, casually brushing her hair at the vanity. She looked at me like I was the intruder.
"Who are you?" she asked coolly.
My stomach clenched. "I think I should be asking you that."
She smirked and called out sweetly, "Nathan, baby?"
Baby.
From the bathroom, he appeared—my fiancé—half-dressed, a toothbrush in his mouth, wearing the same boyish smile I once adored.
"Coming! What's up, Cassandra?"
Her name hit me like a slap.
My breath caught. My chest burned.
"Who's she?" Cassandra demanded, pointing at me.
Nathan froze. His face drained of color. "Yasmine—baby—I can explain—"
"Explain?" My voice cracked with fury. "Two weeks, Nathan. Two weeks apart, and this is what you do?"
"Yas, it's not what you think—"
"Oh, so she's not half-naked in your room? It's just an illusion?"
Cassandra stood, eyes blazing. "Are you kidding me? A fiancée? You bastard, we've been together for a year!"
My world shattered. A year.
I laughed bitterly through the tears burning my eyes. "All this time… all these lies…"
"Yas, please." Nathan stepped closer, desperate. "It was a mistake. Just weakness. You've been so busy—your exhibitions, the studio. Always gone. I—"
"Oh, don't you dare." My voice rose, shaking. "Don't you dare blame me for your betrayal!"
"Our wedding is in two months!" he begged. "We can fix this—"
"Wedding?" I choked out a laugh. "Do you think I care about some wedding when you've already destroyed the marriage before it began?"
Cassandra, now dressed in a red dress, snatched her purse. She smacked Nathan across the chest with it, her voice dripping with rage. "Unbelievable. Wasting my time, you lying bastard."
She turned to me, her expression soft. "Honestly… you deserve better than him."
I nodded faintly. "I know. Go."
She did, slamming the door behind her.
Silence. Just me. Him. And the wreckage of what we used to be.
"This condo is the only thing we own together," I said coldly. "Tomorrow, I'm calling the realtor. Tonight, I'm packing."
Nathan's voice rose in anger. "Are we really doing this now? Can't you just forgive me—for once?"
I laughed bitterly, wiping at the tears. "You want me to suck it up like nothing happened? No, Nathan. It happened. And we're done."
I yanked clothes from the wardrobe, shoving them into a suitcase. Shoes. Essentials. Anything I could grab. My hands shook, but my resolve didn't.
"Fine!" he snapped. "Do whatever you want!"
I dragged the suitcase to the door, glaring at him one last time.
"Yes, Nathan," I whispered coldly. "I will."
And I slammed the door behind me, leaving him—and everything we were—inside.
Huff. What an asshole.