Chapter 2
The moment I hit send, Diana called me, her voice brimming with surprise. “Are you serious?”
Then, after a pause, she added, “But… what about Zach?”
F ་བོ
Diana and Zach had started their ventures around the same time. But unlike Zach, who built his company from the ground up, Diana had better resources and could offer far more attractive compensation.
She was desperate for top tech talent and had promised me a larger equity stake and profit share if I joined her.
When she learned I was engaged to Zach, she made an exception and even offered me a part–time arrangement. But I’d turned her down
without a second thought.
Back then, I still owed Zach. He had once found me nearly frozen to death on a snowy street and dragged me to a police station, saving
my life.
I was so grateful that I devoted everything to him, working tirelessly to help build his company.
Now I saw clearly that it meant nothing to him. And after all these years, hadn’t I already repaid that debt in full? There was no reason for me to keep sacrificing myself.
“Don’t worry about him,” I told Diana, “This is my decision to make.”
We chatted a bit more and set a time to sign the contract. After hanging up, I drove home to start packing.
The apartment was in my name. I’d paid for it in full, but it was saturated with memories of Zach. I couldn’t bear to stay there any longer.
I started cleaning under the bed and found a stack of sketches scattered across the floor.
The drawings were all of Zach–smiling, brooding, peeling an apple, even checking himself out in the mirror. Every
and alive.
I had drawn them for him over the years. He used to treasure each one, having them carefully framed.
capture felt vivid
But after Hannah arrived, he started dismissing them. He said sketching was outdated, a waste of time, that a camera could do better. Eventually, he didn’t even want me to draw him anymore.
And the sketches I’d once poured my heart into? He had tossed them under the bed like trash. The paper had yellowed; the lines had
faded.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. I gathered them up, took them to the bathroom, and lit one corner with a match. I watched as the flames consumed them reducing them to nothing but a pile of ash. Just like our love reduced to ashed before I even noticed.
I got rid of anything else I could stand to lose. I didn’t own much, but the apartment still looked strangely empty, almost hollow.
I dropped onto the sofa and took out my phone to search for rentals near Diana’s company.
But the first thing I saw was a new photo Hannah had just posted in the company group chat.
They were at an arcade. Hannah’s arms were full of stuffed toys, and she was beaming at the camera. Zach stood beside her, looking at her with a soft, indulgent smile I hadn’t seen in a long time.
I had taken Zach to the arcade once. We hadn’t even finished exchanging our tokends before he turned to leave, sneering that I was childish, that he was far too busy to waste time on something so “stupid.”
Too busy for me.But not, apparently, too busy for her.
A sharp laugh escaped me. It wasn’t about him hating childish things–he just hated doing them with
- me.
The group chat lit up with flattery. Coworkers praising Hannah’s looks, teasing that Zach’s photography skills were amazing, even joking about wedding bells.
They all knew I was his girlfriend. But they joked anyway, because Zach never bothered to hide his flirtation with Hannah.
In the past, I would have been furious, calling him immediately and demanding he draw a line. Now I scrolled past it, calm, pretending I hadn’t seen.
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Two minutes later, when I checked again, half the messages had been recalled. Even Hannah’s original post was gone.
I expected Zach wouldn’t come home until late. But before long, he walked into the living room, phone pressed to his ear, voice gentle- clearly talking to Hannah.
When he saw me, a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. Then his expression hardened, and he brushed past me into the bedroom, shutting
the door behind him.
I knew the routine. He was waiting for me to follow, to coax him, to apologize like always.
No matter whose fault it was, I used to be the one to swallow my pride first, out of gratitude, out of love, for the sake of the relationship
I thought I was protecting.
But now? I just kept my head down and kept scrolling.
It wasn’t long before he came out again, his face like thunder. “Did you see what happened in the group chat?”
“What chat?” I asked, playing dumb.
He looked relieved. “Nothing important. Just a work thing that went to the wrong group.”
almost laughed, but didn’t bother calling him out. Instead, I wondered how many more secrets like this he’d managed to hide.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Hannah’s car is repaired. What about yours?”
I stayed silent. That was his signal, the olive branch I was supposed to take. Normally, I’d see it as forgiveness and run
Not this time. I didn’t even look up. “It’s just a junker. Not worth fixing.”
Zach frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
I raised my head, puzzled. What was he upset about? The last time the car was scratched, he’d said those exact words.
I braced for an outburst, but instead, he let out a long sign.
to
please him.
“I know you’re still upset about the company. But Hannah’s performance has been outstanding lately. Giving her incentive to retain a valuable employee.”
that car
was
just
I nearly burst out laughing. Hannah, the woman he’d hired as a special exception, who couldn’t get a single task right?
She once brought still water to a client instead of bubble tea, and worse, sent a cost sheet instead of a price quote, costing the company
tens of thousands.
She wasn’t talent. Keeping her was worth less than keeping a dog. If I didn’t already know the truth about the company, I might have
believed him.
When I said nothing, Zach pressed on. “You’re my girlfriend. Once we’re married, the company will be yours too. Why do you care so much about salary or comparing yourself to her?
Everything I do is for the company. I don’t want people thinking I’m playing favorites with you.”
Excuses. Everyone at Veridian Dynamics could see how blatantly he favored Hannah
I’d slaved three days to finish a project, and he handed it to her–she threw together a PowerPoint and got the credit. I’d spent days negotiating with a client, only for him to show up with Hannah at a dinner and let her take the deal.
Over time, people stopped hiding it. They said openly that Zach preferred Hannah, that he didn’t even like me. And he saw it all, but never lifted a finger.
I didn’t bother explaining. He’d only accuse me of making excuses.
“Fine,” I said lightly, “It’s none of my business anymore. Do whatever you want with the company.”
He didn’t answer. After a long pause, he sighed and slipped his arms around me from behind.
“Honestly, I just want you to rest for a while. Maybe think about our wedding.” He smiled faintly. “When do you want
to
I’d asked that question a dozen times before. Every time, he dismissed it–said marriage was restrictive, said we’d talk about it later.
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But whenever I was upset, he dangled marriage as bait to reel me back in.
Sometimes I felt less like his girlfriend and more like a dog he was keeping on a leash. I stayed quiet.
He ruffled my hair, like one would a pet. “Don’t be mad. Give me a smile, huh?”
Then he leaned down, as if to kiss me, like he was making an effort. But his cologne was overlaid with Hannah’s perfume.
Nausea churned in my stomach. I shoved him away, disgust twisting my face, and grabbed a wet wipe to scrub my fingers clean.
Chapter 3
Zach froze where he stood. “You’re disgusted with me?”
“I have to go out later. I need to get changed. “I said it flatly, then turned and walked back to my room.
He tried to follow me, but I shut the door in his face and locked it without a second thought.
“Fine, Serena! You’ll regret this!“He really did sound angry. After spitting out the threat, he kicked the door hard and stormed off.
When I finally came out of the room, the living room was empty.
In the company group chat, Zach had just posted a message, saying that he was treating everyone to dinner and asked who wanted to
join.
The whole group went silent. Only Hannah replied–three back–to–back happy emojis.
I knew Zach was doing it just to get under my skin. He’d pulled this stunt countless times before. Every time, the others stayed quiet,
while Hannah jumped at the chance.
Back then, I would’ve been jealous enough to follow, only to be mocked for it later. Now? I didn’t give a damn.
I changed clothes, went to check out the apartment I planned to rent, and once I confirmed everything, I paid the deposit on the spot. Then I contacted an agent to list my condo for sale.
The place was technically mine. Though I’d paid for it with my own savings, overseen every last detail of the renovation, but the deed had Zach’s name on it.
Back then, we barely had anything to our names. I’d sunk in every cent I had, just so he would feel “secure.”
Now that the company had grown to this size, this condo probably wasn’t even good enough for him
anymore.
The agent told me Zach would need to be present to sign off on the sale. If he couldn’t, I’d need a signed authorization letter.
So I texted him. But as soon as I hit send, the chat window popped up with a red exclamation mark.
He’d blocked me. It wasn’t the first time. Every time things got heated, Zach would block me in a fit of rage.
I used to worry about him so much I’d borrow someone else’s phone, call him like a beggar, and plead with him to add
On those calls, he would sound untouchable, asking if I’d “realized my mistake.”
back.
I’d lost count of all the humiliating, empty apologies I’d made. Thinking about it now, I almost laughed at myself. Still, I dialed his
number.
“Come home tonight. We need to talk,” I said, keeping my voice flat.
“I’m busy. What is it?” His voice was ice–cold.
I pressed my lips together. “We’ll talk when you get back.”
Zach gave a short, mocking laugh. “So you shove me away whenever you want, and now you snap your fingers and expect me to come running?
Serena, do I owe you something? Is this what you call apologizing? Maybe I’ve spoiled you so much you’ve forgotten how to even say
sorry.”
I swallowed my pride and said what he wanted to hear, like I always had. “I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
What was one more hollow apology? I’d already given him so many. Besides, this time an apology meant a condo.
Even though I’d paid for it, if Zach refused to sign, I couldn’t sell. Even with proof of purchase, I’d have drag out a fight. I couldn’t afford to.
go to court. And Zach could
As expected, the moment he heard me bend, his tone lightened, almost amused. “Wait for me.“He hung up right after.
My heart stayed steady. I listed the condo online anyway, even slashing the price to make sure it would sell fast.
Once that was done, I met up with a friend and signed the contract.
Chapter 3
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וויו
She was thrilled, almost in disbelief, asking me over and over if I was dreaming. She even threw me a little celebration dinner.
I had planned on going home early, but then I thought of Zach, who knew when he’d get back? No point rushing home just to sit there. So I stayed.
After a few rounds of drinks, I slipped away to the restroom. That’s when I caught it–familiar voices drifting from the next private
room.
I froze mid–step. Through the crack of the half–closed door, I saw Hannah curled up in Zach’s arms.
Whatever she said made his cold face break into a smile. Then, seizing the moment, Hannah tilted her head down and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
