Chapter 3 You Are Not Irreplaceable

Maria said softly, "Forget it, Jessica. I'll look at some other designs. If I really can't find anything, I can design it myself. You're already so busy—"

"You haven't been in this industry for very long," Justin cut her off immediately. "You're already busy enough with work. Designing the whole place yourself would be exhausting."

The concern in his voice came so naturally. So naturally that he seemed to have completely forgotten that I was still overseeing the project I had spent more than half a year working on. I was just as busy and exhausted, yet I was expected to make time to redesign someone else's home that was supposed to be mine.

"Put your current project on hold," Justin said as he turned to me. "You should focus on finishing Maria's place first."

"Our interim deliverables are due next week."

"You work fast. You can use three days for the drawings and spend the rest of the time overseeing the renovation. You'll make the deadline." He made it sound as though my time were an endless resource.

"I can't put it on hold." My voice turned cold. "That project is mine."

Hearing my words, Justin let out a laugh and said, "Yours? That project has only gotten this far because of the resources the company has built up. Did you think a few drawings of yours are enough to keep the whole thing going?"

At that moment, Maria tugged at his sleeve and chimed in, "Don't fight with Jessica because of me. Maybe I should—"

"Stay out of this." He placed a hand over hers. "Jessica, if the pressure is too much, just say so. I can have someone else take over the project. You don't have to force yourself to carry everything."

He said it so easily. It was as if the project I had poured everything into was nothing more than some insignificant assignment to me.

Anyone could replace me.

"Justin, there's something I need to make clear." I looked straight at him. "First, I'm the company's chief designer. I've been the lead designer on this project from beginning to end. You don't have the right to simply hand it over to someone else. Secondly…"

I paused for a moment before continuing, "I've decided to break up with you. Thus, you have no right to demand that I hand over my personal designs so someone else can use them to decorate their house."

Justin was bewildered for a moment before he laughed out loud and said in a mocking tone, "Break up? Is this a joke, Jessica? Just because of an apartment?"

Then, he took a step closer. "You just renewed your lease and paid six months' deposit. How much money do you even have left? With whatever's sitting in your bank account, how many days do you think you can last?"

"I didn't renew the lease."

He didn't believe me.

"I'm telling you, stop making a scene. If we really break up, you won't even be able to afford the place you're living in now. Apologize now, and I'll pretend I never heard any of this."

Maria stood to the side without saying a word.

Just as I turned to leave, my phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

"Ms. Wilton, we've received a report alleging that fraudulent materials may have been submitted in connection with your first-class constructor qualification. You are required to stop working immediately while we investigate the matter."

I snapped my head toward Justin, who was looking at me calmly. It was almost as though he had been waiting for me to turn back.

"Did you do this?" I asked in a trembling voice.

Justin did not deny it. His tone was almost soothing as he said, "This is just a small lesson to help you calm down. If you mention breaking up again, it won't be this simple next time."

Then, he walked toward me. "Jessica, I hope you understand that this company didn't get where it is today because of you alone. You may think the company can't survive without you, but the company…"

He paused deliberately. "It doesn't need you that badly."

At that moment, it was as though everything around me was gone.

Five years ago, Justin told me that I was the only thing he had left. Back then, I had been recklessly brave. I believed that if we just endured long enough, we would eventually have everything.

Now that we had everything, Justin had forgotten exactly how his company had gotten this far.