Chapter 4

(Jude's POV)

To leave this suffocating place, I canceled my bus ticket.

I booked the next available flight and headed straight to the airport.

After everything that happened, I couldn't bear to stay in this city any longer.

My phone kept buzzing the whole way.

Messages from the company group chat and Sabina kept coming in.

I opened the chat even though I knew it would hurt, only to be greeted by a screen full of photos.

Every picture showed Sabina and Caleb looking close and happy together.

That was when I noticed how well Sabina spoiled Caleb.

The sneakers on his feet were the limited-edition pair I had wanted for a long time. The watch on his wrist was the one Sabina's father had said he would give to his son-in-law.

Even the wedding ring fit Caleb perfectly.

So the things I'd never had were already meant for someone she thought was more deserving.

I reopened my chat with Sabina.

There was no comfort or apology. She just sent a few empty explanations and orders.

"They wouldn't let it go. Our coworkers insisted on seeing my marriage certificate with Caleb, so getting married was just a way to shut them up."

"I've booked the banquet hall for tomorrow. This time, it'll just be the two of us. Be ready."

"Be good. I'm going to pretend I never heard you say we're breaking up. Don't take marriage so lightly."

My stomach churned.

Words I had heard so many times before now made me sick.

Who was the one treating marriage like a game?

She had gotten married to someone else just like that.

I wanted to ask her why she had to invite an outsider like me, someone she needed to keep her distance from, to her wedding.

She had turned me down countless times. Was it really so hard for her to do the same with Caleb?

I typed out a reply, deleted it, and typed again, but never sent it.

Now that I had decided to leave, I couldn't even be bothered to hear her excuses.

Just as I was about to close the chat, Sabina suddenly sent a question mark.

"Did you contact Dorothy from HR?" she asked.

I hesitated for a moment, but she seemed too impatient to wait and called me.

My finger hovered over the screen for a long while before I answered.

Before I could even say, "I quit," she let out a sigh.

Sabina sounded almost exasperated. "I know you've put up with a lot over the past eight years, but that doesn't mean you can abuse your position for your own benefit.

"You led the recent project to completion, but your position is still too low. If you suddenly tried to compete with Caleb for the manager's position, people would talk.

"I've already spoken to Dorothy. Caleb will get the promotion this time. You can go to Beston and gain some experience in his place. I'll promote you when you come back, okay?"

Her voice was incredibly gentle and reassuring, but I felt completely chilled by what she said.

So she hadn't called to stop me from resigning.

She hadn't even bothered to read what I had sent. All she cared about was whether I was trying to take Caleb's promotion.

For him, she was even willing to send me thousands of miles away.

My heart already felt numb from the pain, and I managed a bitter smile. "Fine."

Sabina was about to say more, but stopped. She seemed surprised that I was being so agreeable this time.

After a long pause, all she could manage was, "Have a safe trip."

After I hung up, Dorothy Jenkins had already sent me confirmation that my resignation was approved.

Sabina must have signed it without even looking at it.

Just then, the boarding announcement came over the speakers. I picked up my suitcase and walked through the gate without looking back.

My life would be easier without her from now on.

…

(The Third POV)

The next morning, Sabina didn't wake up till late.

She felt strangely empty, but blamed it on her hangover.

When she saw the time, she hurried to get ready and drove to the new banquet hall she had booked.

It was a private room with only a photographer and an officiant inside, but she didn't think anything of it. She assumed Jude was simply late.

But ten minutes before the wedding, Jude still hadn't arrived.

When the wedding began, Jude was still nowhere to be seen.

Even when the couple for the next wedding came to ask Sabina to leave, Jude still didn't show up.

Sabina's unease grew stronger. Remembering what she had told me the night before, she finally contacted Dorothy.

"Where's Jude Slater? Wasn't his transfer supposed to take effect next week?"

Dorothy hesitated before answering. "What transfer? Jude resigned last night!"