Goodbye, Summer: Love Has Come and Gone

It wasn't surprising that Gaston saw me as his rival. After all, I'd been with Brooke for a whole decade, and everyone knew just how much of a lapdog I was for her.I was an orphan who lived all alone in this world. I didn't care for emotions because I only wanted to work hard to earn as much money as I could. At the very least, I could then be financially free.While on the way back to the dorms after my part-time job, I ran into a bunch of hooligans who tried to rob me. Just as I was feeling helpless and alone, Brooke suddenly made her appearance.She grabbed my arm and we ran out of the place. She even blocked a glass beer bottle that one of the thugs picked up from the ground and tried to throw at my head.As I watched blood trickle down Brooke's face, I realized that this was the first time I felt sorry for anyone.Meanwhile, Brooke didn't seem to care. "What are you crying for? It's just a small cut."She nonchalantly picked up her jacket that had fallen to the ground and threw i

I didn't let the smile on my face falter. "Of course, money is important. I need to survive, after all."Actually…"Gaston suddenly barged in with a wide grin on his face and interrupted Brooke's sentence with, "Brooke, come with me to…""To do what?"Brooke was unexceptionally sweet and gentle with her future fiancè. She didn't speak to him condescendingly or with sarcasm like she did with me."Do you want to come ring shopping with me? And then, we'll look at the outfits later.""Sure!" Brooke answered in her gentle voice. Then, she glanced at me and said, "Mr. Sommar, you should come along too.""I… sure."I was frustrated. I still had a lot of work to do. Still, there was nothing I could do. I was just a lowly corporate employee under her, after all.Gaston raised his eyebrow and glared at me with a challenging look on his face. Then, he put his arm around Brooke and happily walked out of the office.She'd just reached the entrance when she suddenly turned around and commanded, "Al

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Ms. Rivers. Didn't you personally agree to accompany Mr. Storm to pick out your wedding outfits?"Brooke just looked at me in fury. "Wonderful, Theros, just wonderful! You'd better submit the proposal for Storm Group to me before you go home today!"I had only just received the task yesterday, and she was already asking for it today. Moreover, there were less than two hours left until the end of the work day.I looked at her calmly and said, "Brooke, you're also doing this on purpose.""How much longer do you need for the proposal?""I'll work overtime today.""Theros, you've changed.""How have I changed?" I asked despite knowing the answer."You…"I guess she wanted to say that I didn't love her anymore.However, if she put it that way, it meant that she clearly knew I had been in love with her all along. Yet, she'd used my love for her to her advantage. She had treated my sincerity like trash.But Brooke didn't even have the guts to admit i

I requested a few days of sick leave. When I finally went back to work, I calmly told Brooke about my marriage.Back then, she just laughed nonchalantly and said, "Theros, you're stooping to new lows with your actions."So, she thought that I was capable of using my marriage to threaten her."Stop making such dumb jokes."This was what Brooke thought of my marriage.Thanks to that incident, I had since started letting go of Brooke. I thought it would be difficult. But after trying to open my heart to Daisy, I realized that letting go was just as easy as exhaling. It felt as if I'd just cleared my chest after the realization, and it felt lovely and refreshing.Daisy's attitude toward me was the same as mine toward Brooke all these years—silent, yet sincere.I had been in Daisy's shoes before, so I knew exactly how she felt. I didn't want to let her down. Also, I didn't want to be pathetic and continue torturing myself. So, I started reciprocating Daisy's feelings. I allowed her t

I said in a cold voice, "You don't need to fire me. I will resign on my own."I then calmly took off my work ID and placed it on my table."First of all, I want to say that I have no inappropriate relationship with Ms. Rivers. She is just my superior, and I am just her subordinate."Second of all, I have been married for three years, and I have informed the HR department of it before. If anyone is still curious about it, feel free to check with them."Lastly, I love my wife very much, so please do not simply accuse me of crimes that I did not commit. If anyone starts spreading rumors about me, I will not hesitate to take legal action to protect my rights."After I was done speaking, I left without looking back.Brooke still called out after me. "Theros, stop making a huge fuss…"However, Karen intercepted her and stopped her from trying to make me stay.I stood at the entrance to Riveria Group and looked at the towering skyscraper. I felt a little emotional as I stared up.I b