No More Thrones for Men

I restarted my career.

Jewelry design.

My own studio.

My own brand.

I had spent years building another man’s throne.

Never again.

Adrian supported me fully.

He bought me a private pink-sand island.

An Ocean Heart sapphire worth a staggering amount.

He said,

“If I can afford it, I’ll give you the best.”

I told him not to waste money.

He kissed my hand.

“I love you. What else is money for?”

I melted.

Not because of the price.

Because he gave with joy.

Lucas had once made me feel guilty for wanting anything.

Adrian made me feel adored for existing.

Sophie’s ending came soon too.

After a client dinner, I saw her kneeling before a fat old man in a private club corridor.

The scene was revolting.

She looked up and panicked.

“You—”

I applauded.

“So you stopped being a mistress and changed careers?”

She still tried to sneer.

“Lucas loved me. You were never better than me.”

“I don’t compare myself to chickens,” I said. “Also, you and Lucas were perfectly matched.”

Then I left and called the police.

Later, I posted the coded news into the family group and tagged her mother.

This looks like Sophie. Did she stop being a mistress and start selling herself?

Her parents had always blamed me for not “keeping my man.”

This time, they left the group in shame.

Good.

Kindness had limits.

Betrayal had consequences.

Adrian proposed on a yacht.

A hundred-carat ring.

Fireworks burned across the night sky until the whole city saw them.

I kissed him beneath the lights.

I was happy.

Not naive.

Not certain of forever.

But happy.

Then another yacht approached.

Lucas stood on it with a microphone.

“Mia, please don’t marry someone else! I’ll give you everything!”

He had bought city screens.

Taxi ads.

Public confession banners.

Princess Mia, I love you. Remarry me.

The city ate the gossip alive.

Some supported reunion.

Others said late affection smelled worse than a sewer stone.

I ignored him.

I kissed Adrian.

Let the past watch.

Let it kneel.

Let it rot.

I had chosen the stars.

Why would I return to mud?