Ended My Six-Year Relationship with a Cheater

Chapter 1

When Landon and his so-called distant cousin shared wine mouth-to-mouth, my stomach churned so violently I thought I might cough up blood. Gasps filled the room, and my face turned as pale as paper, but Landon seemed completely unfazed, even leaning in like he was ready to kiss her right in front of everyone.

The day I was discharged from the hospital, Landon showed up to pick me up. A bright bouquet of roses sat in the passenger seat, looking painfully out of place. I reached to move them, but he frowned and grabbed them first. "They're not for you. Sit in the back."

I didn't argue, just silently slid into the back seat. A few minutes into the drive, my phone rang, it was a call from the jewelry store.

"Mr. Wright, the ring you ordered has arrived. You can pick it up at your convenience."

Without so much as a glance back at me, Landon sharply turned the car toward the store. Well, I thought, it's about time to return that engagement ring.

The car stopped outside the shop, and Landon hopped out, practically skipping inside. The clerk approached him, presenting a red velvet box with both hands. He opened it with a smile, revealing a sparkling gemstone, far more stunning than our engagement ring.

"Mr. Wright's wife will be thrilled," the clerk said proudly. "This ring was crafted by our best artisans, each detail perfected over five days."

The staff looked on eagerly as Landon complimented the clerk, clearly pleased. But then his expression shifted. He glanced back at me, frowned, and quickly slipped the ring into his pocket. It was clear: this ring wasn't for me.

An awkward silence hung in the air until another clerk at the counter looked up and recognized me with surprise.

"Mrs. Wright! I was just about to call you. The engagement ring you and your husband ordered has arrived."

"Oh, really?" I said, forcing calm into my voice. "Let's see how it fits."

I stepped past Landon and approached the counter. The clerk had already placed the ring in front of me. Set on a ring holder, twelve exquisite diamonds circled a deep red gem in the center, sparkling like stars around the moon. Landon had designed this ring himself, once wanting me to feel as cherished as a constellation. But now, I was no longer his moon or stars.

Landon walked over, impatiently picked up the matching men's ring, slid it on for a second, then tossed it back into the tray without a second thought.

"Alright, that's enough. I have somewhere to be. Take a taxi home."

His tone was cold, dismissive, a stark contrast to the warmth he once had. As he turned to leave, I stood there, no longer feeling the urge to chase after him, to argue, to fight like I had in the past.

Instead, I slowly removed the diamond ring from my finger and placed it back into the tray with quiet resolve.

"Have it melted down," I told the clerk. "I don't want it anymore."

The young clerk's face drained of color, concern creeping into her eyes. "Mrs. Wright, is something wrong with the ring? We can remake it if necessary."

Seeing her distress, I softened, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, everything is perfect. The ring is beautiful... but the person isn't right."

I handed her my card, and she hesitated before nodding. "Of course. One moment, please."

After a brief conversation through her headset, two craftsmen emerged from the back. They carefully began prying the diamonds from the ring, as though they were stripping away the final remnants of my love for Landon. One by one, the gems dropped, until only the smooth platinum remained. The craftsmen melted it down, transforming what had once been a symbol of love into a shapeless piece of metal.

The clerk gently gathered the diamonds and the platinum, placing them into a box. She handed it to me with a hopeful smile.

"These are fine stones. If you ever want a necklace or bracelet, please come back to us. And… I hope you find the right person someday."

I took the package, feeling surprisingly lighter, and gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you for the blessing. I know I will."