When Santiago knelt down to propose, I was completely caught off guard.

I stood there in shock, feeling as if I had been plunged into icy water.

It was because he was not proposing to me, but to his childhood friend, Serenity.

The lively atmosphere around me heightened my emotions, squeezing my heart until I could hardly breathe.

Tears streamed down my face, but Santiago seemed oblivious to my sorrow, lost in the happiness of their moment.

When he placed a diamond ring identical to the one on my middle finger onto hers, Serenity finally shed tears of joy.

Through my blurred vision, I saw Santiago walking towards me. There was no trace of apology in his eyes, only impatience as he began to explain,

"Evelyn, you have to understand. Serenity just wanted me to fulfill this simple birthday wish."

His absurd words felt like a mockery.

Yet, Santiago noticed nothing amiss.

At that moment, the sadness in my heart began to dissipate.

I started letting go of my feelings for Santiago.

Taking a deep breath, I calmly asked him,

"Santiago, I am your girlfriend, yet you made me watch you propose to another woman. Now you ask for my understanding?"

He seemed prepared for my question and frowned even more.

"Evelyn, you are always so gracious and understanding. I've explained it to you. Why can't you let it go?"

"I told you I'm just looking for some kind of a fling. Why take it seriously?"

"In the end, I'll still marry you."

Seeing the tension between us, Serenity quickly ran over to mediate.

"Evelyn, I'm sorry. Please don't let this affect your relationship. I know you're unhappy with my presence, but I just wanted Santiago to fulfill this small wish..."

She pretended to cry pitifully as she spoke.

Santiago's cold gaze felt like a merciless sword piercing my heart.

"Evelyn, I brought you here for her birthday party and this is how you celebrate?"

"Making her cry on her birthday?"

In that instant, Santiago standing before me seemed like a stranger to me.

It was as if I had never truly known him and as if he had never cared about me.

Sensing something was wrong with me, Santiago's friends began comforting me.

"Evelyn, don't be mad. Santiago loves you the most."

"Exactly! You and Santiago are about to get married. Don't take it too seriously."

I coldly scanned those spectators enjoying the show.

From beginning to end, none of them acknowledged Santiago's mistake. Instead, they all urged me to be magnanimous.

As if I were the one at fault.

Thinking this, I let out a cold laugh in front of them and then raised my hand to slap Santiago across the face.

The crisp sound broke the lively atmosphere in the room. Everyone fell silent and turned their gaze towards us.

"Santiago, I'm not marrying you. Whoever wants to be Mrs. Flores can have it."