Chapter 5

I tried to pull off the ring that didn’t belong to me, but it wouldn’t budge.

For a moment, I froze. A wave of bitterness welled up from somewhere deep inside, clogging my throat until I couldn’t tell if I was more resigned or just heartbroken.

The ring was far too small for my finger.

And in my ears, I could still hear what his friend said in that video.

“He’s been preparing that ring for eight years.”

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Hadn’t I already known he didn’t love me?

So why was I still surprised?

At some point, my coworkers had gathered around, whispering to each other. Their voices pricked at my ears like needles.

“Could it be true about her and sir Ross?”

“I heard they used to be close. But now that his fiancée’s here…”

“Gosh, women and their tricks…”

Zamora bit her lip, tears slipping down her pale cheeks as she said pitifully, “But… it was clear you’re the one who ripped the ring off my finger.”

The next instant, Ross stormed in. The moment his eyes landed on Zamora sitting on the floor, his face changed completely.

“Zamora!” He rushed over, shoving me aside without hesitation, and pulled her into his arms.

I stumbled and fell hard onto the floor, my bag bursting open beside me.

A small clay charm rolled out—a pair of little clay figures we’d made together back when we first started our company.

For a second, Ross’s gaze lingered on them.

And for that one second, I foolishly thought he might bend down to pick them up.

But then, as if terrified someone might see through him, he raised his foot and crushed them instead.

The sharp sound of breaking clay filled the room, fragile and crisp, almost like the sound of something shattering inside me.

I stared in disbelief at the scattered fragments.

I’d made those by hand when we first got together. They’d stayed with me for eight years—a tiny, fragile piece of hope I’d carried through everything.

Now, it was just dust beneath his shoes.

Just like our relationship.

“Ross…” My throat tightened, the words barely escaping.

“Stop making a scene here,” he snapped coldly. “Return the ring I gave Zamora!”

My head jerked up, my voice trembling. “I didn’t take her ring!”

His brows furrowed as he looked down at me, disappointment and impatience etched across his face.

“Issy, when did you become so immature? Do you even realize how you look right now—acting like some jealous, crazy woman?”

Every gaze in the office turned toward me.

The whispers spread again.

“Did she really sleep with him?”

“Probably. He must’ve taken pity on her and kept her out of sympathy.”

“What a pity. Trying to steal his fiancée’s ring? If that gets out…”

My fingers burned red as I struggled to wrench the ring off, repeating over and over, “I didn’t take her ring. She’s the one who put it on my finger!”

Ross’s expression darkened. He leaned down, speaking through clenched teeth, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I know you’re upset, and I get that you wanted the ring. But can’t you stop causing a scene? Don’t embarrass yourself like this!”

“Come on. Just give it back!” he demanded.

I raised my head. Tears shimmered in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

He didn’t believe me. He just believed Zamora without question.

Looking at him, all I could feel was fear—fear of how utterly unfamiliar he’d become.

I could take being framed by her. I could take being mocked by everyone here.

But Ross…

This jerk really thought I would humiliate myself, fight, and lose every ounce of dignity over a ring.

At that moment, I almost heard something inside me crack.

Eight years together, and it was only now I realized I didn’t know him at all.

“If you don’t believe me, check the security footage,” I said hoarsely, anger trembling beneath the restraint. “Just one look at the footage and—”

“Is that really necessary?”

His cold voice sliced through my words, his tone sharp with mockery.

“Why would Zamora—a billionaire’s daughter—want to frame you?”

At this moment, I almost laughed in anger.

Zamora sniffled softly, her eyes glistening. “I don’t understand why Issy would accuse me like this…”

Ross stepped closer, his voice low and soothing, but it carried the weight of command.

“Issy, stop it, okay? You know everything I do… It’s for us.”

Before I could even respond, he reached for my hand.

And the next second, he yanked the ring off my finger.

The sharp edge of the band sliced through my skin. Blood welled along my knuckle, bright against my pale hand.

I gasped as pain shot through my fingertips.

His movement faltered slightly. For an instant, his gaze lingered on the bleeding cut—hesitant, conflicted. He looked like he wanted to say something.

But then that flicker of softness vanished, swallowed whole, as if it had never existed.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he turned away and gently slipped the ring onto Zamora’s finger instead.

“My fiancée,” he said softly but firmly, “is Zamora. Issy and I have nothing beyond a professional relationship.”

When he finally looked back at me, his expression was so detached it was almost cruel.

“Issy, if you’re not feeling well, go home and rest.”

The room fell deadly silent. Even the air seemed to freeze.

I stared at him, unable to breathe. The pain in my chest pressed down so hard it hurt to inhale.

In a matter of minutes, I’d gone from resigning of my own accord to being publicly dismissed.

Of course, he couldn’t have the world thinking the “orphan” he’d taken a pity on had any special tie to him.

After a long moment, I let out a quiet, shaky laugh.

Then, I reached up and pulled the plain silver ring from the chain around my neck.

It was our couple’s ring. He’d once begged to wear it on his hand, but he didn’t want his coworkers to find out, so I’d compromised and kept it close to my heart instead.

“Well, I guess that’s that.”

I said word by word, my voice so light it almost got swallowed by the air.

And in front of everyone, I tossed the ring into the trash.

“Sir,” I said quietly, my voice trembling but cold, “I won’t make a scene anymore.”

When I turned to leave, my steps were surprisingly steady.

“Issy—” Ross started, but Zamora’s hand on his arm stopped him.