Chapter 2

Abigail scoffed when she heard that. "Benjamin, who are you trying to fool? You think you can fire me? You're not worthy!"

With that, she got into her car, slammed the gas, and sped off.

At the same time, Troy's voice came through the receiver. "Mr. Lamber, it's not that I don't want to fire her, but she just renewed her contract for another five years.

"Whoever breaches it would owe 30 million dollars in damages. Even if the two of you have broken up, we can't let the organization go under."

When I first met Abigail, she had been nothing more than an ordinary esports streamer.

Back then, I had secretly invested in this struggling esports organization to support her dream. I had gotten them to sign her, helped build a team around her, and sent her competing in tournaments worldwide.

Later, Abigail became a world champion, just as she had always wanted. I'd thought we would get married. But now, everything changed.

I'd devoted three years of my life to her. Yet, in her eyes, I had been nothing more than a worthless live-in helper.

I let out a sigh and told Troy to forget it. Trying to fire Abigail had only been my way of proving I still mattered.

Now that I didn't even love her anymore, whether she stayed in my organization no longer meant anything to me.

Then, I went upstairs, packed everything I owned, and moved out that very night, checking into a hotel. The house belonged to Abigail, so there was no reason for me to stay.

…

The moment the clock struck midnight, Abigail announced her relationship with Nolan on social media. The photo showed them kissing beneath a fireworks-lit sky, completely lost in each other.

In no time, the comment section was flooded with congratulations.

One wrote, "Way to go, Abby! You actually landed the hottest esports commentator around!"

"I honestly don't know who's luckier. Is it too late to start life over?"

"Finally, a gorgeous couple! The world is healing!"

I let out a cold laugh. No wonder Abigail had been in such a hurry to end things with me. She'd been eager to go public with her new boyfriend.

Just then, my parents sent me birthday wishes and some money, right on time. Only then did I remember it was my birthday. I had almost forgotten after everything that had happened.

I quickly ordered a cake online and posted it on social media, wishing myself a happy birthday.

By pure coincidence, my post appeared right after Abigail made it official with Nolan. Less than a minute later, she called me.

As soon as I answered, she launched into a tirade. "Benjamin Lambert! Are you out of your mind? You just had to post about your birthday right now?

"Everyone knows we used to date. If you post something like that, what will people think of Nolan? Delete it right now!"

I rolled my eyes and shot back, "Who do you think you are? What other people think about the two of you has nothing to do with me.

"If your relationship is so fragile that my birthday post can affect it, then you two must have done something you're ashamed of."

Abigail froze for a moment, then hissed through clenched teeth, "Say that again!"

I couldn't be bothered to listen anymore and hung up. By then, she had shattered the last illusion I still had about her.

My post was flooded with likes. After all, everyone on my feed knew about our history and was just waiting to watch the drama unfold.

Only one person commented, "Happy birthday."

I stared at the name in surprise. A beat later, I realized it was my old high school classmate, Savannah Clark.

After graduation, we barely stayed in touch. She probably didn't know what had happened between Abigail and me, which was why she left that comment.

So, I replied with a simple thank-you.

…

Once my birthday had passed, I started making plans for myself.

My parents had always wanted me to go to grad school so I could take over the family business. However, I had given all of it up and spent three years acting as Abigail's live-in helper.

Looking back, it hadn't been worth it. But it was time I started thinking about myself.

I researched programs until late into the night when, out of nowhere, Abigail called. Her voice was slurred as she said, "Honey, I've had too much to drink. Will you come pick me up?"

At that, I frowned in confusion. "You've got the wrong person. Your boyfriend is Nolan, not me."

"Of course, I know my boyfriend is. It's you, Benjamin. Please… Come get me," she whined in a syrupy voice.

Even then, I hung up. I had intended to ignore her, but she kept calling.

"If you don't come, I'm going to end up sleeping on the sidewalk!"

I didn't have Nolan's contact information. So, after a moment's thought, I went to the place Abigail had told me.

She was still the star player of my organization, and I couldn't risk damaging its reputation.

…

I arrived at the karaoke bar Abigail had mentioned and found the private room she was in. But the moment I pushed the door open, a burst of laughter greeted me.

"I won! See? I told you Benjamin would show up!"