Chapter 2

After leaving the venue, I hailed a cab home. On the way, a message popped up on my phone.

[Ms. Sutton, I’ve had your visa expedited, and the technical team handling your project’s data has also been added to our secure database. I hope you’ll keep your word. I’ll be waiting for you in Ashford in ten days.]

The message was from Jace Vane, the son of Ashford’s richest man.

I met him during the rainy season in Ashford. He had been badly injured while fleeing his enemies, and I saved his life.

Over the years, he had never been shy about his feelings for me. He had also wanted me to join his company, but my heart had always belonged to Callan.

The day I discovered my husband was cheating on me, I opened our long-neglected chat.

[Mr. Vane, you once promised that I could join your company whenever I wanted. Would that offer still stand a month from now?]

I hesitated before sending the message. I had no idea if he still wanted me to join after all these years.

To my surprise, his reply came almost instantly, as if he had been waiting by his phone.

[It would be my honor, Ms. Sutton. Ashford will welcome you in a month. If you need anything, I’ll help in any way I can. After all, my heart has always belonged to you.]

Staring at his reply, I thought I must have lost my mind. But I needed a way out, and he was that way out.

I looked at the date on my screen before turning off my phone. The tension between my brows finally eased.

In ten days, I could leave Callan behind and take my project with me.

I gazed out the window at the passing scenery, lost in memories.

Over the years, I had never cared much about the rumors. Even though Callan and I had been together before I returned to the Sutton family, everyone insisted that Callan and Cora were meant to be together, while I was nothing more than a shameless homewrecker.

I once believed that after everything we had been through in those difficult years, we would love each other until the end of our lives. But time and again, he took Cora’s side and asked me to give in to her.

I raised my hand and looked at the ring on my finger. Without hesitation, I slipped it off and threw it out the window.

It was a simple, understated ring. Callan had spent all his savings on it when he was struggling financially and used it to propose to me.

He once promised he would give me a better diamond ring someday. Later, I watched him shower Cora with countless expensive gifts, yet somehow, he had forgotten all about mine.

It was okay.

I finally understood the difference between being loved and being unloved.

And I didn’t love him anymore.

When I got home, I saw Callan leaning against the sofa. I ignored him and started walking upstairs.

He suddenly stood up and pulled me into his arms, burying his face against my neck. His cold voice was now soft and gentle.

“Gyna, are you still upset about what happened today?”

The rose perfume on him, the same scent Cora always wore, filled my nose.

I frowned.

“Callan, you’re overthinking it. I don’t have time for that. I have plenty of work and housework to deal with.”

I quietly slipped out of his arms and headed for the stairs.

He called after me, clearly annoyed.

“Gyna, you’ve changed so much lately. You never used to talk about work and housework all the time. What are you trying to pull now?”

Back then, I loved him enough to take care of everything for him. I handled the company and the family home by myself and never wanted to trouble him. Looking back, I realized I had only been making things harder for myself.

I stopped, my chest tightening as if an invisible hand had wrapped around it.

“Did you go to LQ Restaurant half a month ago?”

His body stiffened. He avoided my eyes.

“No. I never go to couples’ restaurants unless I’m with you.”

His answer was enough to confirm that he had cheated on me. That was all I needed.

Then his eyes fell on my bare ring finger. He grabbed my hand tightly.

“Where’s your ring?”

My heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t time for him to find out that I was leaving yet.

“You said you didn’t like me wearing my ring at work. You thought it was too flashy, so I put it away.”

He calmly let go of my hand.

“Gyna, we’re still coworkers at work. Wearing your ring all the time doesn’t look good. At least you’re being sensible this time.”

“Mm,” I said softly.

All these years, Callan had never worn the matching ring I gave him. It wasn’t because he was worried about what his coworkers might think. He simply didn’t want to upset Cora.

After all, one post had always been pinned to her blog.

The diamond ring you gave me. Promise you’ll keep me close for the rest of our lives.

The post came with a photo of the two of them holding hands. I never understood who she was talking about.

Now I did.

Callan was about to say something when thunder suddenly rumbled outside. He quickly glanced at his phone, then looked at me.

I remained calm and said lightly, “It’s raining. Aren’t you going to hurry and keep her company?”