Chapter 2

The next morning, I arrived early.

My resignation letter was sitting quietly in my drawer, waiting for the right moment.

My phone vibrated. It was a text from Chloe.

[Audrey, I heard you've taken care of Ethan for all these years. Thank you for your hard work.]

[He told me that if it weren't for your outstanding skills, he wouldn't have kept you around for so long.]

[Ethan and I are choosing engagement rings today, so please handle things at the office.]

I read the texts blankly, my fingers hovering over the screen. I didn't reply.

Then she sent a zipped file. It was full of photos of Ethan and her traveling over the years.

Five years ago. Three years ago. Last year.

They had never stopped seeing each other.

While I was working myself into the ER with acute exhaustion and alcohol poisoning trying to lock down a major investor, they were skiing in the Swiss Alps.

While I was pulling all-nighters to rewrite business proposals, they were kissing under the Eiffel Tower.

While I was hooked to an IV drip in a hospital room, taking work calls, they were watching the sunset on a beach in the Maldives.

I had asked him to go on trips with me before. Just a quick weekend getaway.

But he would always rub his temples and lean tiredly against my shoulder:

"Audrey, I can't relax right now. Let's wait until the company goes public, okay? I'll take you anywhere you want then."

I believed him. I had even made a folder of travel guides.

But every single one of his annual "business trips" was actually a rendezvous with Chloe.

I stared at the screen and suddenly laughed.

There was no hesitation left. I took my resignation letter straight to the HR department.

Sarah, the HR manager, looked at me in absolute shock.

"Audrey, you've been here since day one! We just went public. Why would you leave now?"

"And didn't Mr. Vance promise to grant you any wish once we went public? Isn't it a waste to walk away now?"

My love for Ethan was an open secret in the company.

But he never allowed any public displays of affection. He never let me cross the line.

He even insisted we take different routes to work.

Everyone thought I was just a lovesick assistant who was finally giving up.

Maybe that was for the best.

Loving him was my choice.

Stopping was my choice, too.

As for that "wish," I had planned to use it to ask him to marry me.

He had always told me he didn't believe in marriage, that he wanted to focus on work.

I waited seven years. I didn't mind waiting a few more.

But now, I was just too tired.

"Yeah, maybe it is a waste. But I really need a break. Let's just process the paperwork, Sarah."

Seeing how determined I was, Sarah stopped arguing.

After completing the exit interview, I went back to the apartment we shared. Ethan was sitting at the dining table, staring at a diamond ring.

Seeing me walk in, he quickly hid it under a folder. "You're home? Oh, by the way, I have a business trip tomorrow. Just letting you know."

I put down my keys. "Okay."

I never argued. I never questioned his decisions.

As I turned to go to the bedroom, he grabbed my hand.

"Audrey, you're not even going to ask how long I'll be gone?"

I froze. I didn't expect him to ask me that.

Usually, he just notified me so I could pack his bags.

I looked at his guilty eyes and forced a small smile.

"Sorry. I had a long day. My mind is a bit foggy."

He smiled gently and kissed me on the cheek.

"Audrey, I haven't congratulated you on the IPO yet. Tell me what you want. I'll make it happen when I get back."

I knew I should let go.

But a small, foolish part of me wanted to try one last time.

Just to give these seven years some closure.

I held his hand and looked at him seriously.

"Ethan, if my wish is for us to get married, would you say yes?"