Micah Baron never imagined that, with just ten days to go before the wedding, his fiancée, Liana Carver, would ask to call it off. He'd been preparing for months. He'd handwritten hundreds of invitations himself, wanting to give her a ceremony that would be romantic and unforgettable. After three years together, they'd finally made it this far. His chest buzzed with anticipation and joy. When Liana said she wanted to break off the engagement, his mind went blank. For three years, Micah had poured his time, energy, and money into Liana. He'd paid for her father's treatment, put her younger brother through school, and helped her family build a house. He'd nearly emptied his savings, giving everything-money and effort-without a second thought. "Micah, you're such a nice guy," Liana said, "but I don't want to keep walking this road with you. Marshall Chambers is back. I don't want to leave any regrets in my life." Marshall Chambers? Micah let out a dry laugh. He knew Liana had a first love. He'd believed that if he was good enough to her, he'd win her heart. Three years still couldn't compete with a 'destined' first love who suddenly swooped back into her life. Memories hit him hard. For three years, they'd been together day and night. Every corner of the place carried traces of them. Three years is long enough to get attached to a pet-let alone a person. His emotions churned, but his face stayed cool. He wasn't going to beg. In his eyes, a woman who'd checked out was like a dirty rag-something you just toss. His silence made Liana think he couldn't take the blow, and it spooked her. She was afraid he'd cling to her. "Micah, I'm truly sorry," she said. "I admit you took very good care of me, but marriage isn't child's play. Love doesn't pay the bills." She glanced at the table set with food for her, and at the birthday cake waiting for candles. She steeled herself. "As of today I'm twenty-five-old enough to get what I want. I don't want a plain life with you. Marshall just got back and bought a big condo downtown, right in the business district. That's a level you'd never hit even if you spent your whole life hunched over a keyboard, coding till you're old and gray. "Between a two-bedroom apartment and a spacious condo downtown, I choose the latter. So let's part on good terms, and to avoid any drama, let's not contact each other again." She laid it bare, blunt and practical. She thought he was too poor and was trading up. Micah let out a low laugh, pulled out his phone, and blocked her right in front of her. "Then… goodbye." He went to the door to put his shoes on. Liana suddenly called after him. "Micah, you have nothing to say to me, nothing you want to ask?" He paused and said only, "Happy birthday," then opened the door and walked out. Liana stood facing the empty living room for a long time, feeling vaguely unsettled. He just left? She began to suspect Micah didn't love her at all, that the past had been an act. How else could he stay so calm when she asked to break up? It was nothing like she had pictured. She had imagined he would clutch her and beg, eyes red, pleading with her not to go. Or even drop to his knees and ask for one more chance. If he'd done that, she might have considered staying one more day. But he simply walked away, without trying to stop her. Jerk. She cursed him in her head and made a silent bet with herself. Within three days, he'd come back to beg. After all, the invitations had already gone out, and everyone around them knew the wedding was in a week. Men have their pride. Micah was no exception. Getting dumped before the wedding was a humiliation he couldn't swallow. A vague ache pressed at her. She called her best friend. "Babe, I told Micah I wanted to break up. He just walked out without saying a single word to try to stop me…" Her friend practically yelled, "What? Micah dared to break up with you? I told you already, men keep score better than anyone. You need to spend his money-really spend it. The more he pays, the more he values you. What are you saving for him for?" Liana faltered. Was that why he left so decisively? He hadn't paid enough, so there was less to regret. Her friend didn't sound entirely wrong. "I had him turn over his paycheck," Liana said. "Should I have made him hit up his family for a monthly 'dating budget' too?" "Of course," her friend snapped. "He only gave you a few thousand dollars a month and you even felt sorry for him? That's worse than being a hooker, honestly. What kind of man dates without spending a dime? He was freeloading. How much did he give you as breakup money? And the place you're living in, is it in your name?" Liana went quiet. She should have called her friend first to strategize. Was it still possible to ask for breakup money now? Her mind had turned to mush. She hadn't thought that far. She'd only wanted to cut everything clean at once and avoid Micah clinging to her. "Enough scolding. The apartment has both our names. He said this place was only temporary, that he'd buy a bigger one later and give this one to my brother as a wedding gift." Her friend sighed. "Could be worse. You're too naive. In love, you need to be realistic. A gullible sweetheart gets played on every front. But Micah, that simp, will beg to get back together within three days. When he does, drag him to a notary and have his name taken off the deed so it's just yours." Liana hung up and fell into a long silence. She needed to find Micah and discuss this. Meanwhile, Micah asked his friend Archie Carrington out for a drink. Micah knew when to let go. Since it was over, he'd make a clean break. He'd take back whatever he could. He was the tech director at a big tech company, his income solidly upper-middle by national standards. But in recent years, everything he'd earned had gone to Liana. His monthly pay, a few thousand dollars, plus quarterly and year-end bonuses, had almost all gone straight into Liana's spending. He ended every month with nothing left. On top of that, he'd sold his family's old house and had about three hundred thousand dollars in savings. Aside from paying for his father's medical bills and building a house for his family, the rest had gone to Liana for designer bags, jewelry, and high-end cosmetics. The only thing he could still protect was the apartment they lived in. "I remember Denise wanted a place at Moon Lake Residence," Micah said. "I'm listing it five percent under market. Can you take her to see it?" Archie looked surprised. "You're moving? Wasn't that the place you said you'd leave to her brother for his wedding? What changed?" A tight pain ran through Micah's chest. "Like hell I'm leaving him anything. We broke up." Archie stared at him, stunned. Everyone at work knew Micah treated Liana like the apple of his eye. He would really let her go? "Cut it out, man. Give it an hour and you'll be the one sleeping on the couch." Micah's grim face showed he wasn't joking. Archie slowly caught up. "For real? I remember the deed on that apartment has Liana's name on it, right?" Micah knocked back his drink and said evenly, "Yeah, but I bought it before we got engaged-I've got the paperwork. She didn't put in a dime, so it isn't hers." "Then that's easy," Archie said. "Send me the floor plan." Archie's eyes lit up. This was going to be good. Liana had probably already treated that place like it was hers. If she found out Micah was selling, wouldn't she cry her eyes out?