Chapter 1

The company was holding its third anniversary celebration, and as one of the founding employees, I made sure to dress my best for the occasion.

Today wasn't just any company party - it was supposed to be the day James Sullivan would propose to me. We'd been together for three years, and when we first met, I'd given him $500,000 as startup capital for his company.

Three years later, the company was thriving, and James had achieved his dream of becoming CEO. He told me he appreciated everything I'd done for him and wanted to propose at the anniversary party. I'd been looking forward to this day for so long.

But reality came crashing down like a bucket of cold water. Instead of the proposal I'd been expecting, I watched as the new secretary took what should have been my moment in the spotlight.

Her name was Lisa Garrett. Fresh out of college this year, she was sweet-faced with long, slender legs that turned heads. Within days of joining the company, she'd attracted quite a lot of admirers. She'd always been floating between her many suitors - I had no idea when she and James had gotten together.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the festive New Year atmosphere, but everyone was letting loose. James and I should have been the center of attention, but instead, he was pressed up against Lisa playing Truth or Dare.

Lisa was already quite tipsy, her cheeks flushed pink. She gave James a sweet smile and said, "Oh my, you're too good at this, Mr. Sullivan. I lost again. I choose Dare this time."

James looked sharp in his suit and tie, giving off that powerful executive vibe, but I could see the hunger in his eyes that he couldn't hide.

The crowd around them caught on quickly, chanting, "Cross arms! Drink together!"

Under everyone's teasing gaze, James wrapped his arm around Lisa's waist as they did the intimate drinking gesture.

He knew how much I despised cheaters, yet here he was doing this to me. It felt like a knife to my heart. What happened to the gentle, caring man who promised to be my rock?

The pain was unbearable, and the betrayal left me gasping for air. James's doting smile and Lisa's shy glances felt like daggers in my eyes.

I knew this was James's way of challenging me. He'd always been unhappy with how I regularly asked him to spend more time at home instead of at work. This was his way of putting me in my place.

Too bad for him - I wasn't going to play along. Instead, this day showed me his true ugly nature.

If he thought he could control me? Not a chance.

...

James and I usually commuted together, but tonight, with his new companion, I knew he wouldn't be coming home. He didn't even think about me when he took the car.

I was left standing in the cold wind, trying to get a taxi.

It was past 2 AM when I checked my phone. Being so late on New Year's, I waited in the freezing cold for half an hour without seeing any taxis.

The traffic thinned out as snow began to fall, quickly coating the world in a thick white blanket.

It was like stepping into a fairy tale, with large snowflakes landing on my shoulders. I got lost in the sight, remembering my first New Year's with James when it had snowed just like this.

We weren't well-off back then. On New Year's Eve, we ate street food because the restaurant was too crowded.

James had gently brushed the snow from my hair, holding my face with a serious expression.

"Sarah, do you regret being with me?" he'd asked.

I couldn't understand why he'd ask that. To me, he was the only person who'd ever been so good to me. How could I regret it?

I'd jumped up to give him a big hug, giggling in his ear: "Meeting you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me."

He'd hugged me back so tight I could barely breathe. "Meeting you was my blessing. I promise I'll make lots of money in the future and make you the happiest person alive!"

Now I walked aimlessly through the snow, thinking how ridiculous those sweet memories and promises seemed. He had plenty of money now, but instead of keeping his promise, he'd transferred all that affection to his mistress.