Chapter 2

The next morning, I arrived at the office early.

The resignation letter sat quietly in my drawer, waiting for the moment I finally handed it in.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Julian.

*Hey Leo, heard you've been taking care of Chloe all these years. Must have been exhausting.*

*She told me that if you weren't so damn competent, she wouldn't have put up with having you around for this long.*

*Chloe and I are going ring shopping today, so hold down the fort at the office, will you?*

I stared at the screen expressionlessly. My thumb hovered for a second, but I didn't bother typing a reply.

I tapped open the zip file he attached. Inside were photos of Chloe and him taking vacations over the years.

Five years ago. Three years ago. Last year.

They had been in touch the entire time.

While I was out drinking myself into an ulcer at corporate dinners to close contracts, they were hitting the ski slopes in the Alps.

While I pulled all-nighters rewriting business proposals until sunrise, they were kissing under the Eiffel Tower.

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

...

I had asked her so many times to go on a trip with me, even just a quick weekend getaway.

Every single time, she would rub her temples, lean tiredly against my shoulder, and say:

"Leo, I can't let my guard down right now. Let's wait until the company goes public, okay? Once that happens, I'll go anywhere in the world with you."

I bought it completely. I had even secretly researched countless travel itineraries.

Turns out, her annual "solo business retreats" were just romantic getaways with Julian.

Staring at the screen, a dry laugh escaped my chest.

Without a second thought, I pulled the resignation letter from the drawer and walked straight to HR.

The HR manager looked at me in pure shock. "Leo, you've been here since day one! The company literally just went public. Why would you quit now?"

"Besides, didn't Chloe say she'd grant you any wish once we hit the stock exchange? Isn't it a waste to walk away now?"

It was an open secret around the office that I was hopelessly in love with Chloe.

Yet she never showed an ounce of affection toward me in public and forbade me from ever crossing the line.

She even demanded that we take different routes to and from work every day.

Everyone assumed I was nursing an unrequited crush and was finally leaving out of heartbreak.

Honestly, that was fine by me.

Falling for her was my choice.

Falling out of love meant I could walk away clean.

As for that "wish"... I had planned on using it to propose.

She used to tell me she was disillusioned with marriage and didn't see herself tying the knot anytime soon.

I figured if I had waited seven years, waiting a few more wouldn't kill me.

Except now, the tank was empty. I was done waiting.

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

Seeing how resolute I was, she dropped the subject and initiated my offboarding.

After finishing the exit process, I headed back to the apartment. Chloe was sitting on the sofa, staring intently at a diamond ring in her hand.

When she heard the door, she shoved it out of sight, clearly flustered. "You're back? Oh, by the way, I have a business trip tomorrow. Just giving you a heads-up."

I set my keys on the console. "Okay."

I never pushed back, and I never questioned her schedule.

Just as I turned toward the bedroom, she caught my wrist.

"Leo, aren't you going to ask how long I'll be gone?"

I paused, surprised by the question.

Usually, she just gave me an order so I'd pack her bags.

Looking into her evasive eyes, I forced a faint smile. "Sorry. Long day at work. My mind's a little scattered."

Her expression softened, and she suddenly leaned in to plant a kiss on my cheek.

"Leo, I haven't even officially congratulated you on the IPO yet. Tell me what wish you want. When I get back, I'll make it happen."

My brain screamed at me to walk away.

Yet a pathetic shred of lingering hope pushed me to make one final attempt.

If nothing else, consider it closure for the last seven years.

I took her hand and looked straight into her eyes. "Chloe, if my wish is for us to get married, would you say yes?"