Chapter 1

At the engagement party, I called off the engagement.

The reason? My boyfriend's Instagram profile picture now had a Santa hat on it.

Everyone thought it was unbelievable.

"All because of a Santa hat?"

I tapped to enlarge the picture and saw the watermark on the hat.

My expression was cold.

"Yes. All because of this Santa hat."

His mother screamed insults at me like a madwoman.

"My son is a great catch! You're the one losing out by not wanting him!"

My dad forced me to apologize in front of everyone.

"Look at the occasion! Is this really the time for your tantrums?"

I ignored them and called my best friend.

"Did you get the stuff? I'm calling off the engagement."

I handed my phone to my boyfriend, Ryan.

"Change the Santa hat on your profile pic. Or photoshop an identical one onto mine, so we match."

Ryan didn't even think about it.

"Sienna, listen to me. That hat just doesn't suit your picture."

I looked down at our Instagram profiles.

Ryan and I had been together for almost ten years. My profile picture had always been a photo of us together.

But his was just a professional headshot. He'd never even posted a single picture with me on his feed. He looked completely single.

Ryan's mom jabbed a furious finger at my phone screen, as if trying to break it.

"Look! Ryan's Instagram is all about his career. My son is hardworking and dedicated. And you? Throwing a fit over a Santa hat!"

My dad's face darkened, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Today is your engagement day. Drop the spoiled brat act. You'll have a good life with Ryan from now on."

Ryan took my hand, looking at me with sincere apology in his eyes.

"Sienna, is this because I've been working late so much lately? Did I make you feel neglected?"

"I'm sorry, okay? Please forgive me. Everyone's watching. Don't make a scene."

The warmth from his hand made my mind go blank for a second.

How long had it been since he last held my hand?

When was the last time we even saw each other?

Every time I asked to meet, he'd say he was working late.

Then he'd send a photo of his office as 'proof.'

"Sienna, I need to work hard. I need to be worthy of you."

If it weren't for this scheduled engagement party, where his presence as the groom was mandatory, I probably wouldn't have had the 'privilege' of seeing him at all.

I gave a bitter laugh, pulled my hand away, and repeated myself.

"I said it. Change the hat, or give me the same one. Your choice."

The guests around us murmured in confusion.

"Living for a long time may see everything. A Santa hat on a profile picture is grounds for calling off an engagement?"

"Maybe she got dumped around Christmas once and is triggered by anything festive?"

"They're each other's first love. Been together almost ten years. Their relationship was always so good."

"Didn't you hear Ryan say he's been busy with work? He probably just neglected her feelings a bit. She's throwing a tantrum."

"If she's this difficult, they're better off apart. Save him the misery later."

Each word was like a needle, pricking at our parents' nerves.

My dad pointed at my nose, his disappointment palpable.

"Look what you've done! You've embarrassed us all!"

Ignoring him, I quietly used my phone to cancel the orders for the car and the apartment down payment.

My parents had paid the down payments for our future married life.

But I didn't need them anymore.

Ryan's mom gasped in horror and snatched my phone.

"Sienna, are you trying to ruin us? Do you have no heart?"

Ryan tried to calm his agitated mother, then turned red-rimmed eyes to me.

"Sienna, it's just a Santa hat. What's the big deal?"

I snorted.

"Right. Just a Santa hat. So why can't you just change it to make me happy?"

"If you can't even do that, what's the point of marrying you?"

My words seemed to stun him. It took him a moment to bow his head in a show of weakness.

"Sienna, I'm sorry I upset you. I promise, after we're married, you'll be the boss. Okay?"

This stalemate felt pointless.

I called Willa again.

"Did you get it? I can't wait any longer."