The Placeholder by Matilda Martel

Seven years. That’s how long Della and Jared have been together. College sweethearts turned cohabiting couple, she’s been patiently waiting for the proposal that never comes. For Jared, living together is enough. For Della… it’s not.
Then one night, she overhears him telling his friends the unthinkable—Della isn’t his “marriage ideal.” He’s still holding out for someone better.
Horrified to realize she’s just a placeholder, Della packs up and walks away—quietly, decisively—while he’s at work. With the help of her best friend Liana, she starts rebuilding her confidence, one bold step at a time.
Enter Axel.
Steady, certain, and utterly sure about her from the start, Axel doesn’t need years to figure it out—he knows she’s the one.
Now Jared’s panicking. But Della’s done waiting for someone to choose her. She’s already found the man who sees her worth… and she’s not looking back.