Chapter 3

He froze. His eyes flickered, unable to meet mine.

After a long, agonizing silence, he forced a tight smile.

"Audrey, you know I'm not ready for marriage. The company just went public, there are so many things to handle..."

The answer was clear. I was only humiliating myself by asking.

I masked my heartbreak with a faint smile.

"I know. I was just joking," I interrupted, saving him from making up more excuses.

He wasn't against marriage. He was just against marrying me.

This realization was like a dull knife, slowly carving away at my chest.

I should have known.

He always refused to take photos with me. He never introduced me to his family. To the world, I was only ever his assistant.

The signs were always there. I had just chosen to ignore them.

"So, what do you want then?"

He seemed relieved, quickly asking, "Shares? A bonus? Anything you want."

I shook my head. "We'll talk when you get back."

I walked into the bedroom and started packing. His suitcase, and mine.

My phone kept buzzing. Unsurprisingly, it was Chloe.

[Audrey, Ethan is leaving tomorrow. Make sure to pack the new shirts I bought him today.]

[I have great taste, don't I? He looks so much younger in them.]

[Audrey, let me handle his wardrobe from now on. You clearly aren't as capable as everyone says—at least, not at keeping a man.]

I bought almost all of Ethan's clothes.

But looking at the closet today, there were indeed several new designer shirts.

Inside the pocket of one jacket, there was an unopened box of condoms.

I knew Chloe left them there on purpose. It was a cheap provocation.

But I didn't care. I blocked her number.

I went back to packing my own things.

After seven years, my belongings were incredibly sparse. Everything fit into a single suitcase.

Just like my place in Ethan's life—easily cleared out, leaving no trace.

When I reached for the few evening gowns he had bought me, my hand paused.

He had personally taken me to buy them before our annual gala last year.

"You look beautiful in this, Audrey," he had said, smiling as he adjusted my collar.

Now I realized it was just a boss rewarding his most valuable asset.

It had nothing to do with love.

Just as I zipped my suitcase, I heard his voice from the study. He was on the phone.

"Ethan, are you seriously proposing to Chloe tomorrow? What about Audrey? Are you really okay with letting her go?"

"Of course I don't want to let her go. So keep your mouths shut. Don't let her find out."

"Man, you've got it made. Having your dream girl and your reliable placeholder at the same time."

"She's not a placeholder, and she doesn't compare to Chloe. But she'll never leave me. She's too dependent on me."

I stood frozen in the hallway, unable to move.

Hearing the man I loved for seven years speak of my devotion so lightly.

There was no affection in his voice. Only arrogance.

I listened to every single word.

Each syllable felt like a blow to my chest, numbing me completely.

An old college photo slipped out from a book on the shelf.

In the photo, I was standing next to Ethan, smiling like an idiot.

But his eyes weren't on the camera. He was looking past it, searching for someone.

Now I knew. He was looking for Chloe.

Even when Chloe was overseas, even when I was the one holding him through his worst nights.

His heart had never belonged to me. Not even for a second.

I tossed the photo into the trash.

Along with seven years of my youth and love.

The next morning, when I woke up, Ethan was already gone.

There was a note on the table: Audrey, wait for me to come back.

I picked up the note, crumpled it up, and threw it in the bin.

Dragging my suitcase to the front door, I took one last look at the place we lived in.

From a tiny rented apartment to this luxury villa, I thought we were building a home.

But it was all just my delusion.

My phone rang. It was a text from Ethan.

[Audrey, I forgot the gift I bought for the client at home. Find it and send it to this address.]

I didn't need to ask. I knew it was the ring.

I called a courier service to deliver the ring, then got into a taxi to the airport.

On the way, I sent Ethan one last message.

[Ethan, let's break up.]