I Was Never Her First Choice

Owen's POV

By the time I got home, it was the middle of the night. The rain had soaked me through, over and over, until there wasn't a dry thread on me.

Claire White hadn't left a single light on in the living room.

Her study door stood half open. I could hear her patiently coaching someone.

"If the project's too much, I'll have a manager walk you through it. It's fine.

"And if you'd rather move to another position, just tell me."

"I don't know. That wouldn't look…" Adrian's voice came from her laptop, hesitant and embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it," Claire cut in gently. "With me here, no one's going to say a word."

I stood outside the door. The cold sank deeper.

In five years at Aldridge Group, I'd asked for a promotion more times than I could count.

She'd shut me down every time.

"We can't give people a reason to talk. You're a grown man. Is riding my coattails really all you think about?"

I could never make sense of it. I'd led teams. My performance ranked first or second every year. Other companies kept trying to recruit me.

None of that mattered to her. Because she wanted to keep things professional, I was expected to stay a nobody in my own department, and to be glad about it.

But when it came to the ex she claimed she was keeping at a professional distance, she couldn't stop bending the rules to make his life easier.

Water dripped from my clothes onto the floor.

Claire heard it and quickly closed the laptop.

She turned. For a moment, she looked startled by how wet I was.

"I told you to bring an umbrella. You never remember.

"I wanted to drive you home, too. But think how it would look."

Not one question about whether I was okay — just another reminder about appearances.

I'd worried about appearances so much I wouldn't take a sick day with a fever. I'd drunk with clients through stomach pain. At work, I barely dared say hello to her.

Meanwhile, she bought Adrian painkillers. When she ordered coffee for the whole office, everyone got the usual. His was always decaf.

Apparently, the rules were just for me.

Her phone rang, sudden and loud.

"Okay. I'm on my way."

She ended the call and composed herself.

"Something came up at the office. I need to go."

She kissed my forehead.

"Get some rest. Don't wait up."

But I'd seen the worry break through before she could hide it.

I didn't need to ask who had called. That ringtone was Adrian's. No one else had it.

Before I could speak, she grabbed an umbrella and hurried out.

She never noticed the resignation letter in my hand.

I called the head of HR.

"Diane, I need you to process my resignation. Please don't tell Claire."