Chapter 1

My resignation letter was only halfway out of the printer when the office door swung open.

Ethan walked in, dropped a file on my desk, and said, “Nina, redo this report.”

He didn’t even look at me. His head was bent over his phone, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I knew that smile.

Back in college, that was the exact expression he wore whenever Chloe Lindsay replied to one of his messages.

Seven years had passed—so long that I’d almost forgotten he was still capable of looking that gentle.

Just never because of me.

“Mr. Cole,” I said evenly, “this report already cleared finance yesterday.”

That finally got his attention. He looked up, a slight frown forming between his brows. “I said redo it. Do you have a problem with that?”

I lowered my eyes and absently ran my thumb along the barrel of my pen.

It had been his birthday gift to me during my first year at the company. Nothing expensive, nothing flashy, but he’d picked it out himself.

“All right,” I said. “I’ll have it for you tomorrow.”

“I need it before the end of today.” He turned to leave, then paused as if he’d just remembered something. “Oh, and order a box of Belgian liquor chocolates for me. Imported. I’m giving them to someone.”

My chest tightened. “A client?”

He raised a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “What’s wrong, Nina? Jealous?”

Then he added lazily, “Relax. They’re for a client.

“If you want some too, order yourself a box and put it on the company card.”

“No thanks. I’ve been cutting back on sugar.” I lowered my head and wrote the request into my notes.

Seemingly satisfied, he turned and walked out. The sound of his footsteps faded down the hall.

Outside the window, the streamers from the IPO celebration still hadn’t been fully cleared away.

Just yesterday, we’d been raising our glasses together, celebrating the biggest win of the last seven years.

I thought it was the beginning of a new life for us.

I hadn’t realized it was only the end of my one-sided hope.

At four in the afternoon, I emailed Ethan the revised report.

At five-thirty, I left the office right on time.

As I passed his door, I caught a glimpse through the half-open gap: he was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie.

The bouquet of white roses I had ordered sat on his desk.

Still tight with buds, just like the anticipation on his face.

Kevin, one of the junior assistants, leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Nina… is Mr. Cole seeing someone?”

I forced a small smile. “Focus on your work.”

Inside the elevator, I stared at my reflection in the mirrored wall.

The woman looking back at me was thirty years old, and there was no trace left of the brightness I used to have—only the exhaustion that came from living the same day over and over again.

When Ethan first started the company, I poured all my savings into it.

At our poorest, I didn’t even have a hundred dollars to my name.

Back when the two of us were crammed into a tiny office eating instant noodles, he had looked me straight in the eye and said with absolute certainty:

“Nina, we’re going to make it. And when we do, I’ll pay you more than any six-figure salary out there.”

I believed him.

Not because I cared how much money he might give me, but because I believed that one day, he would finally see the person who had been standing behind him all along.

Seven years later, the company was worth billions.

And he no longer needed me.

My phone rang. Ethan.

“Nina, tomorrow morning’s meeting is canceled. I have something personal to take care of.”

I already knew why, but I asked anyway. “Do you need me to arrange a car?”

“No, I’ll pick Chloe up myself.”

Chloe.

The way he said her name came so naturally.

“All right. Is there anything else you need me to prepare?”

“No. You…” He paused. “Get some rest.”

Right before the call ended, I heard Chloe’s voice in the background.

“Ethan, who’s calling you this late?”

“It’s just my secretary. I was giving her a few instructions.”

My secretary.

Two words, and every boundary between us was suddenly clear.