Beyond His Orbit

Evelyn's POV

Half an hour had passed since I returned with the cigarettes.

Other than ordering me to buy Serena a milkshake, Adrian Bennett had not looked at me once.

He and Serena Blake discussed the case they had won the week before, then moved on to their plans for the firm's future.

I could no longer remember how many times I had become background scenery whenever the three of us were together.

Only after Serena answered a message did Adrian finally turn toward me in surprise.

"Why haven't you gone yet?"

I had already run three errands since the reunion began.

The storm outside had soaked me over and over until every inch of my clothes clung to my skin.

Adrian noticed the water running down my face and fell silent for a moment.

Serena, my supposed best friend, hurried to smooth things over.

"I only mentioned it casually. Don't go out again in weather like this."

As she spoke, she expertly pulled a handkerchief from her purse.

It matched Adrian's exactly.

After I came back from those six months away from school, Adrian began bringing three breakfasts instead of two.

After graduation, it was not only breakfast. Even movie tickets came in threes.

But that careful balance gradually disappeared.

At some point, Adrian started remembering only Serena's share.

"Oh, stop smoking. Evelyn hates the smell."

Serena snatched the cigarette from Adrian's fingers and crushed it out.

He merely laughed and shook his head with indulgent resignation.

After seven years together, I knew exactly how he looked when he spoiled someone without limits.

I had begged him countless times to stop smoking because the smell made me sick.

He always said I did not understand his stress and would not even let him have that small freedom.

Yet the man who hated being controlled had grown perfectly comfortable letting Serena manage him.

The conversation around the table came alive again.

I turned and walked straight out of the private dining room.

After taking a steadying breath, I called Rachel Thompson, the firm's human resources director, and resigned.

She sounded stunned.

"You keep the entire office running. What are we supposed to do if you leave?

"Let me talk to Adrian about transferring you to another department."

I had requested a transfer more than once since my first year at the firm.

When I helped another associate win a case, Adrian said I had gotten lucky.

When I applied for an attorney-track position, he said I lacked experience.

When year-end bonuses were calculated, he scored my evaluation down to six decimal places.

He said, "You're my girlfriend. I have to avoid showing favoritism."

Meanwhile, Serena was promoted twice in a single year because, according to him, her credentials were exceptional.

She received nearly every award at the annual dinner because, according to him, he was simply supporting an old classmate.

After seven years of relentless work, I was still invisible.

I looked back at the two people who had not even noticed me leave and suddenly smiled.

Then I answered Rachel.

"Please process my resignation. Don't tell him."