He Built His Intern a Princess Room, So I Left

Chapter 1

Natalie's POV:

The short-video algorithm figured out my fiancé had someone on the side before I did.

He'd gone to take measurements at the new home and left his phone on the couch.

I opened his short-video app and started scrolling. The first thing it recommended was a clip titled "How to Give Your 22-Year-Old Girlfriend a Princess Bedroom Fit for a 3-and-a-Half-Year-Old."

I opened the comments. His account was right at the top.

Caleb: [Anyone have a link to this exact star night-light? My baby gets scared sleeping alone. One with soothing sounds would be perfect.]

I turned to look at our new home, freshly renovated in minimalist black and gray.

Last month, I'd wanted to buy a plush throw pillow. He had frowned, called it childish, and insisted on returning it.

I kept scrolling. He'd liked reviews of couples' mystery boxes, amusement park guides, and period-cramp relief tips.

Every single like was timestamped late at night, during the same hours when he would turn his back to me, say he was exhausted from work, and go to bed early.

I closed the app and put his phone back where it had been.

Then I opened my email and replied to the message my supervisor had sent 3 days ago.

Natalie: Director Ellison, I'll take the 3-year overseas assignment in Asterford. I can leave as soon as I finish the handover next week.

*****

The front door opened, and Caleb Morton came in with a tape measure in hand.

He walked over and picked up the phone from the couch as naturally as ever.

The screen lit for a moment. Nothing looked out of place.

He slipped an arm around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Natalie, I got all the measurements for the new home. The furniture can be delivered tomorrow."

I pushed his arm away and stood up.

"I'm a little tired. I think I'll go to bed early."

He paused, surprised.

"Wedding planning has probably worn you out. Go get some sleep. I'll finish looking through these files and come to bed too."

He was always like this, attentive and considerate, impossible to fault.

I reached the bedroom door and looked back.

He was already sitting on the couch, the glow of his phone washing over his face. He was smiling.

It was a relaxed, genuine smile.

'Is he watching mystery-box reviews, or shopping for another star night-light?'

I didn't ask. I went into the bedroom and locked the door behind me.

Before, I would have made a scene. I would have snatched his phone away and demanded to know who this "baby" was.

Now, I was only tired.

The next morning, Caleb was already in the kitchen making sandwiches when I got up.

He carried a plate to the table.

"I made your favorite tuna sandwich today."

I pulled out a chair, sat down, and took a bite.

It was dry. The tuna hadn't even been mixed with mayo.

That was because Caleb didn't eat mayo.

For 5 years, he had kept saying he was making my favorite food, yet somehow it was always made to suit his tastes.

I chewed twice, swallowed, and said nothing.

He looked down at his phone, his fingers flying over the screen.

"Natalie, I can't go to your bridal fitting this afternoon. A last-minute meeting came up at work."

"Okay."

I took a sip of milk and set the glass down.

He looked up and stared at me.

"You're not mad? You usually get upset when I cancel on you."

I pulled out a napkin and wiped my mouth.

"Work is important. I can try on the dress by myself."

Relief softened his face. He came over and kissed my forehead.

"Once things calm down, I'll make it up to you."

The door closed behind him.

I threw the sandwich, with only one bite missing, into the trash and washed my hands.

Then I opened the notes on my phone and deleted the wedding-planning checklist, the wedding favor orders, and the gift list one by one.

I left every group chat related to the wedding.

When I was done, the only item left in my notes was Bridal Fitting. I stared at it and gave a bitter laugh.

I had spent 3 months cutting out sugar and watching my weight for this day, all while imagining the look on Caleb's face when he saw me in my wedding gown.

Even though I no longer needed him to see me in it, I still wanted to try on the dress I'd dreamed about for 5 years, if only to give myself some closure.

At 3 p.m., I pushed open the glass door of the bridal boutique right on time.

A sales associate showed me into a VIP room.

"Miss Mercer, is your fiancé joining you?"

"He had something come up. He couldn't make it."

The associate brought out several wedding gowns for me to choose from.

I picked the simplest strapless one and went into the fitting room.

I had just finished changing when the door outside opened.

"This one is gorgeous. Look how much the sequins sparkle."

It was a young woman's voice, bright and clear, with a sweet, girlish lilt.

"If you like it, go try it on."

That was Caleb's voice.

My hand froze on the zipper at my back. With only a curtain between us, my heart started pounding.

He had told me he had a meeting that afternoon.

'So this is his meeting.'

I stayed silent and listened.

"Caleb, won't it be weird for me to try on a wedding dress? I don't even have a boyfriend."

"Think of it as practice. Go try it on. I'll wait here."

The young woman ran happily into the fitting room beside mine.

The sales associate gave Caleb an awkward look. "Mr. Morton, didn't you say you had a meeting this afternoon? Then Miss Mercer..."

"Natalie's here too?"

Caleb's tone shifted instantly.

I yanked the curtain open.

He was standing two steps away, holding a fruit refresher he'd just bought.

It had been ordered half-sweet with light ice, even though I never drank anything iced.

Our eyes met. The room went silent.