Our Partnership Ends, All Feelings Reset To Zero

1 For three years, Ryan loved bragging to his friends about how I was his ultimate partnerincrime.

Gym sessions, backpacking trips, city exploration, if he wanted to do it, I made it happen. His friends always said, "Ryan hit the jackpot.

Dating Nora is like having a premium blackcard membership." Until his childhood best friend, Kayla, came back to the country. She wanted to try the trendy glamping style.

Without a second thought, Ryan forwarded her the detailed itinerary I had spent an entire week planning. She wanted to see my favorite band.

Ryan swiped the pit tickets I had spent three grueling hours trying to get. "You can just buy tickets for the next tour," he reasoned. "Kayla barely gets to visit." Then came the engagement party prep.

I spent two weeks running errands with his mother, even paying fifteen thousand dollars out of my own pocket to cover the budget gap.

But when the digital invitations went out in our group chat, the bride's name was left completely blank.

Instead, Kayla posted a selfie in the chat wearing the exact white dress I had chosen. Ryan's mom said I look like the bridetobe in this. This is so awkward, she wrote.

Ryan replied with a laughing emoji. Then he sent me a private message: Don't overthink it. They're just teasing. I know you're mature enough not to make a big deal out of it.

The day before the engagement party, Ryan asked me to share my Google Calendar access with Kayla. "She's going to be helping out with a lot of stuff from now on.

It'll make coordination easier." I unlocked my phone, opened the app, and revoked his access entirely.

Within seconds, my phone lit up with his call. "Nora, what is this?" I let out a soft laugh. "Your premium membership has expired, Ryan.

I'm not renewing." "What are you throwing a tantrum about now?" his voice flared with irritation. "It's just calendar access.

Why do you have to blow everything out of proportion and threaten to break up?" In the background, I heard Kayla's voice, hushed but perfectly audible. "Ryan, is Nora mad at me?

Oh god, this is my fault. I shouldn't have asked to see your schedule. I just thought it would be easier for us to plan hangouts. Go talk to her, please.

Don't let me get between you two." Ryan's tone softened immediately. "Don't worry, it's not your fault.

She's just had too much free time lately and is overthinking things." Having comforted her, he turned back to me, his voice hardening. "Did you hear that, Nora?

Kayla is so considerate, always thinking of you. You're usually such an openminded person.

Why do you get so incredibly petty the second she is involved?" Clutching the phone, I looked around the living room, taking in the warm lighting and cozy furniture I had spent months choosing.

Suddenly, a wave of profound exhaustion washed over me. It all felt so utterly pointless. "Since she's so considerate," I said quietly, "she can have the spot.

I'm stepping down as your fiancée." Ryan's breath hitched. "Nora, do you have any idea how exhausting you are? Kayla just got back. She has no one else here.

What's wrong with me looking out for her as a friend? If there was ever anything romantic between us, wouldn't it have happened years ago?

Do you really have to be this dramatic?" I walked over to the hallway closet and pulled out my largest suitcase. "If I wasn't dramatic, I wouldn't do justice to your pure, innocent friendship.

The party is off, Ryan. Don't call me again." I hung up before he could reply and began packing my clothes. Midfold, the doorbell rang.

I opened it to find Kyle, one of Ryan's closest friends. He stared at the suitcase in my hand, catching his breath. "Nora? What's going on here?" "Moving out," I replied flatly.

Kyle frowned, stepping forward. "Are you serious right now? Ryan posted in the group chat saying you were throwing a fit and threatening to walk out, but I thought he was joking.

Come on, don't do this. Give him a way out. Kayla just got back, and we all grew up together. It's natural for him to look after her.

Why are you picking a fight over his childhood friend?" I looked at his selfrighteous expression. "If she's everyone's sister, why don't you go take care of her?" Kyle stammered, caught off guard. "That's different, Nora.

Kayla and Ryan have always been the closest. Besides, you're about to marry the guy. Can't you show a little grace?

If you actually walk out of this apartment with a suitcase, where does that leave Ryan's pride?" I pushed him out the door. "His pride is none of my business." A short while later, the door was knocked on again.

This time, it was Ryan. He held out a beautifully packaged cedarwood candle, a brand I had eyed for months. "I got this for you.

I know how much you love the cedarwood scent." I didn't reach for it. Kayla stepped up behind him, offering a sweet smile to defuse the tension. "Ryan really loves you, Nora.

You shouldn't make mountains out of molehills." Ryan's brow furrowed. "Just take it." Three years ago, he gave me my first cedarwood candle, telling me he wanted my room to smell like his favorite scent.

Now, that same aroma made me sick to my stomach. I stepped back, leaving the door open. "Come in." Kayla followed him inside, her eyes scanning the living room.

On the coffee table lay a printed copy of the venue contract, alongside a thick planner. The cover of the planner was worn white at the edges.

Tucked inside were the floor plans for the engagement hall, catering quotes, tasting notes, and a handwritten seating chart I had revised countless times.

On the very first page, there was a custom sticker I had bought: Nora & Ryan, Day 1096. She reached out and picked it up. "Oh, this notebook is adorable.

Mind if I look?" Before I could say a word, Ryan waved a hand. "Go ahead.

It's just the schedule details anyway." Kayla flipped through the pages, her finger lingering on the sticker on the first page.

She let out a soft gasp. "Wow, I didn't realize you guys were so sentimental." She kept flipping. "Actually, this floor plan is perfect.

I want to film a vlog tomorrow showing the setup to the entrance. Nora, you colorcoded this so beautifully." She whipped out her phone and lined up a shot.

I placed my hand firmly over the page. "Don't photograph it." Kayla blinked, quickly pulling her phone back. "I'm so sorry.

I didn't realize it was private." Ryan's frown deepened. "Nora, it's just a planning book.

Letting her take a picture would make things run smoother tomorrow." "It's my book." "And your book was made for our engagement," he countered.

He paused, perhaps realizing his voice was too sharp, and gentled his tone. "Nora, I know you've worked hard.

Once tomorrow is over, I'll take you to that highend sushi place you've been wanting to try." I looked him dead in the eye. "Do you honestly think this is about sushi?" A flicker of impatience crossed his face. "Then what do you want?

For me to publicly cut ties with Kayla? Our families have been close for decades, and she just got back.

I'm not going to treat her like a stranger." Kayla chimed in instantly. "Ryan, please don't fight because of me.

Nora, if it bothers you that much, I don't have to show up tomorrow." Her eyes pooled with unshed tears. Naturally, Ryan shot me an accusatory look. "See?

She's already backing down." "What exactly has she backed down from?" I asked. "Nora," he said, using my full name.

It was always his final warning before losing his temper. "You can't let your insecurities run wild and expect the entire world to revolve around your mood." A sudden weight settled in my chest, draining every ounce of energy I had left.

I reached for the copies of the contracts on the table and slid them into an envelope. "The final venue deposit for tomorrow is still outstanding.

Your mother asked me to cover it temporarily.

I didn't pay it." Ryan's face paled slightly. "Why not?" "Because it's your family's engagement party." "Since when do we keep score like this?" I met his gaze. "Since now." Kayla bit her lower lip, keeping her head low. "Is this because of me?" she whispered.

Ryan's expression turned stone cold. "Nora, making Kayla walk on eggshells and apologize to you like this, does that make you feel good?" "I didn't ask her to apologize." "But you're backing her into a corner anyway." Watching him leap to her defense, I realized the absolute futility of trying to explain myself.

He placed the candle on the coffee table. "I'm not going to argue with you tonight. I'll be downstairs at nine tomorrow morning. Get your head straight.

Don't bring this attitude to the venue." Kayla placed the planner gently back on the table. "See you tomorrow, Nora.

I won't wear the white dress, so please don't be upset." At the doorway, she turned back with a faint smile. "Though, Ryan's mom was right, white really is the prettiest color for an engagement." The next morning, Ryan arrived downstairs.

He called three times before I finally answered. "How much longer am I supposed to wait?" "I told you, I'm not coming." He kept his voice low, suppressing his rage. "Nora, today is not the day for games.

My mother is already asking where you are." Sure enough, a call from Ryan's mother beeped through. "Nora, sweetie, a little bickering is normal, but this is a major family event.

Don't humiliate Ryan today." "Mrs. Harrington, I won't be attending." "What do you mean you won't be attending? You booked the venue, you finalized the tasting menu.

If you aren't here, what are the guests going to think?" "My name isn't even on the invitation." She let out a tight, dry laugh. "That was just a printing oversight, dear.

You and Ryan have been together for years. Do you really care that much about a typo?" I answered quietly, "Yes.

I do." Her tone turned cold. "Nora, girls who keep score like this don't make good wives." Hearing those words, a strange sense of peace washed over me. "Then don't like me." Ten minutes later, the lock clicked.

Ryan used his spare key to burst into the apartment. "Nora, are you finished yet?" "Yes, I am.

That's why I'm leaving." He stared at me, his eyes wide. "Over a name on a card and a dress, you're going to throw away three years of our life?" Kayla stood just outside the open door.

Pinned to her chest was a delicate white corsage, the exact custommade piece I had ordered for myself to wear when greeting guests.

She selfconsciously touched the petals. "Your mom gave me this, Nora. She said it would look good on camera for the vlog.

I'm sorry, I didn't know it was yours." Ryan turned to her. "Kayla, go wait downstairs." She didn't budge. "But Ryan, your mom is panicking at the venue." The reminder snapped him back to his anger.

He turned on me. "Do you hear that? Everyone is waiting on you." Right. Everyone was waiting. Waiting for me to save a party that didn't even have my name on the program.

Waiting for me to be the sensible, accommodating girl who never made a scene. I picked up the planner from the table and handed it to him. "Everything you need is in here.

Take it." He refused to touch it. "Keep it, and get in the car." "I'm not going." He slammed his hand down on my suitcase. "If you walk out that door today, Nora, there's no turning back.

It's going to get ugly." "You think it isn't ugly right now?" His face darkened. Kayla chimed in from the doorway. "Nora, is this about the concert tickets?

I can Venmo you the money. Ryan was in a tough spot that day.

I was having a hard time adjusting to being back, and he was worried about my mental state." I stared at her. "If your mental state was so fragile, why did you need my tickets to fix it?" Her lip quivered. "Because I thought we were close enough not to keep track of things.

Ryan always said you were the most understanding person he knew." Ryan jumped in. "Nora, I've always cherished how different you are from other girls." He had said those exact words before, but that time, he had tucked my cold hands into his coat pocket, telling me I never had to play nice or please anyone. "So 'different' just means I'm the one who's supposed to yield?" "It's not about yielding, it's about boundaries," Ryan argued, his voice dropping an octave. "Kayla had a brutal few years abroad.

Her father was incredibly sick, and she had to handle it all alone.

She reached out to me because she trusts me." "And what about me?" He looked at me as if the question itself was absurd. "You're my girlfriend.

Of course you're different." "How?" He had no answer.

From the door, Kayla checked her phone. "Ryan, the videographer just arrived." Ryan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Nora, please don't force me to manage your insecurities right now." I shoved the planning book into his chest. "You don't have to." His fingers closed around the cover, his hand instantly wrapping around my wrist.

His grip was fiercely tight. "I'll come back tonight, and we'll talk this through properly." I yanked my arm free. "No need." Clutching the planner, he finally turned and left with Kayla.

The front door clicked shut. I sat on the hardwood floor, staring at the empty space. I unlocked my phone and dialed a contact I hadn't messaged in a long time. Hi, David.

I need to consult you on recovering shared premarital expenses and cash advances. His reply was swift. Send over the documentation.

Also, that outofstate transfer opportunity you mentioned last time? The confirmation window closes this afternoon. I stared at the text. My thumbs flew over the screen. I'm in.

Confirm my transfer. When I arrived at the hotel, the rehearsal was already underway.

The event coordinator had contacted me, warning me that since my signature was on the secondary vendor sheets, any breach of contract or delay fees would fall squarely on my shoulders.

I walked into the ballroom to find Kayla holding my planner, directing the videographer. "We'll shoot a quick clip of me adjusting the floral arrangements here.

Then, when Ryan walks in from the side, I'll hand him the bouquet." I walked up to them.

Kayla froze midsentence. "Nora, you made it." Ryan's shoulders visibly dropped with relief when he spotted me. "I knew you wouldn't let me down." His mother hurried over, taking my hand in hers. "Thank goodness.

A little prewedding jitter is fine, but we have a schedule to keep." I pulled my hand out of her grip. "I'm only here to clarify liability.

The primary contract for this venue is under Ryan's name, not mine." Mrs.

Harrington's face soured. "Nora, do you have to be so difficult today?" A few relatives nearby began to whisper, turning their heads.

Kayla quickly stepped in, her voice trembling. "Mrs. Harrington, Nora is probably still upset with me.

Maybe I should leave so I don't ruin this for everyone." Yet, her hands remained tightly wrapped around the bridal bouquet. "Kayla, stay, you've been such a help today," an aunt chimed in. "Nora, you really need to be more gracious.

Ryan has spoiled you.

Throwing a fit on your own engagement day is just childish." Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nora, let's talk in the dressing room." "We can say it right here." Kayla suddenly thrust the bouquet toward me. "Nora, here.

You should hold this. Your mom only had me stand in for the rehearsal because we were worried the delay would ruin the schedule." I looked down at the flowers.

Wrapped around the stems was a faded mintgreen ribbon. It had been salvaged from the bookmark of my old journal.

Three years ago, on a freezing winter night when Ryan's first business went under and we couldn't even afford rent, he had tied that very ribbon around my ring finger.

With tearfilled eyes, he had whispered, Nora, on the day of our engagement, I will replace this with the biggest diamond I can find.

I reached out, untied the mint ribbon, and slipped it into my pocket. "Keep the flowers." Kayla stood frozen. His mother finally snapped. "Nora, what is wrong with you?

This party is a reflection of our family's social standing. If you have grievances, air them behind closed doors.

Stop publicly humiliating my son." I looked directly at Ryan. "Is that what you think too?" Ryan avoided my eyes, looking down. "Nora, let's just get through the ceremony first.

I'll explain the name thing on stage. I have a plan." Kayla tugged gently at his sleeve. "Ryan, maybe we should skip it.

That segment was supposed to be a surprise, but with Nora in this state, she might not appreciate the humor." A surprise. The word clicked in my head.

I walked straight past them to the AV control booth and booted up the presentation slides on the laptop.

I clicked to the third slide: Special Thanks: Nora, for three years of companionship, witnessing the beautiful bond of friendship and love.

Next slide: Fiancée Candidate Game: Kayla. I clicked through the deck. It was a mock game show.

Ryan was supposed to pull cards to choose between Kayla and me, building up fake suspense before dramatically declaring, "Of course, the real bridetobe is Nora." A small note at the bottom read: Create initial tension for maximum dramatic effect.

Nora must play along. I looked back at Ryan. The color had completely drained from his face. "The emcee suggested that bit.

I hadn't officially signed off on it yet." "Nora, please don't be mad," Kayla blurted out. "I told them it was a bad idea, but everyone kept saying how easygoing you are.

We thought you'd find it funny." Ryan lunged forward to shut down the laptop screen. "Nora, close it." I stepped back, out of his reach. "Did you know about this?" Silence.

Kayla lowered her head, her voice shaking. "Ryan didn't know the specifics. I coordinated it with the emcee.

If you want to blame someone, blame me." Ryan finally spoke, his voice strained. "I figured the big reveal at the end would make the final toast even more special.

The game was just to get the crowd warmed up." I nodded slowly. "So you decided to make me a laughingstock first." "It's not like that," he said, stepping closer, desperate. "Nora, I wanted to give you a day you'd never forget." I reached into my bag, pulled out a printed ledger, and slammed it onto the control desk. "This is the itemized list of every expense I've covered for you over the last three years.

It totals fortytwo thousand dollars.

My lawyer has already received the copy." He stared at the papers, completely dumbfounded. "Three years together, and you're turning it into a business transaction?" I didn't bother replying.

I turned on my heel and walked toward the exit.

He chased after me, grabbing my wrist with a crushing grip. "Nora, don't you dare walk out of here!" "I've been playing along for three years," I said, peeling his fingers off my wrist, one by one. "The schedule is yours, the bill is yours, and the spot next to you is hers." As I walked away without looking back, Ryan stared at my retreating figure, a cold wave of panic finally settling deep in his chest.