Chapter 1

My CEO boyfriend just gave the promotion he promised me to someone else.

And demoted me to a satellite office.

He casually told his friends,

"Chloe needs this platform more. Evelyn is stronger anyway; she can go to the New York branch and open up the new market."

"It's her own fault for refusing to hand over the design drafts for the Starlight Collection to Chloe. A little reality check will teach her how to make the right choice. Don't worry, I know Evelyn better than anyone. Where else could she possibly go without me?"

My mind went completely blank.

Among my luggage scattered on the floor was the anniversary gift I had specially bought for Liam.

I left the group chat, blocked his number, and threw the gift in the trash.

Then, I accepted the job offer a rival company's partner had sent me.

He had no idea.

He could throw away our future for Chloe.

But I could throw him away, too, and choose my own path.

Liam's words cut through my heart like a knife.

He used to say his partner had to be a capable, independent woman, not someone relying on family connections.

So I started from the very bottom. The Creative Director position was a promise he made to me five years ago.

He promised that once I secured that role, we'd get married.

But now, he handed it to someone else on a silver platter.

Without even having the decency to tell me to my face.

In the group chat, someone asked him, "What if Evelyn actually accepts the relocation?"

Liam laughed it off. "Are you kidding? She worked harder than anyone for this promotion, pulling all-nighters just to be closer to me. There's no way she'd agree to move that far away from me... You guys just don't get it."

The guys in the chat started hyping him up, calling him a boss.

Then someone else chimed in. "But what if she really does? She's incredibly protective of her projects. She'd never just let someone else take them."

Liam paused for a few seconds before typing back, his tone turning cold. "Cut the crap."

"Evelyn can't live without me. Last time I went to New York for a merger, she found an excuse to fly out to see me within three days. This relocation is miles away. There's no way she'd agree to it."

"To her, I'm way more important than any job title or project. She'll back down. Just watch."

After that, the chat went dead silent.

After a long pause, someone finally ventured, "Liam, isn't that a bit harsh on Evelyn? I mean, she built the Starlight Project from scratch. Everyone knows that. You should at least talk to her."

Liam let out an annoyed sigh. "Ugh, I don't want to deal with it."

"You know how dramatic Evelyn can get. If she finds out I gave the director position to Chloe, she'll blow up. It's easier this way. Less drama."

The group chat buzzed again.

"True, Chloe's family has way more influence anyway."

"Liam really is the man."

...

Those casual jokes crushed what was left of my spirit.

I wanted so badly to call him, to scream and demand answers.

But my thumb hovered over the screen, unable to press dial.

In the end, I just stared blankly at the ceiling, completely numb, and buried myself under the covers.