Chapter 3 Leaving Him

He fell silent instantly, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

He stared at me for a couple of seconds, then chuckled coldly. "Emilia Morris, are you doing this to pressure me to marry you? This won't work on me. I have a lot of work to do. I don't have time to think about the wedding, let alone play games with you."

He had time to take Kayley shopping. He had time to take her on trips. But as his girlfriend, I had to wait in line just to argue with him.

At that moment, I laughed from sheer exasperation.

George thought I had calmed down, and his tone softened slightly. "I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said. Forget about this. I have a meeting soon. I need to pick my secretary up."

It was obvious who that secretary was.

I turned to pack my bags to move back to my old home.

A female colleague accidentally posted gossip in the company's group chat. "I just saw Mr. Matthews shopping with Kayley in a lingerie store. He even helped her with the straps!"

The message was deleted immediately.

Then Kayley posted a picture in the group chat to "clear her name."

In the picture, her hair was caught in the clasp, and a man was helping her with it in the fitting room.

"Mr. Matthews cancelled the shareholders' meeting to come to rescue me. Please don't misunderstand, lest anyone be unhappy."

The picture she sent only confirmed the gossip.

Everyone teased, "Your relationship with Mr. Matthews is quite something. He's never canceled a meeting before. You're quite close to Emilia. You're even sharing a boyfriend."

Kaylet replied with a shy emoji, almost like a silent admission.

I stared at the photo for a long time.

I did not know utter heartbreak could be this quiet.

The next day, I went to work as usual, but my table was filled with Kayley's things.

"What's going on?"

The department manager stammered, "Mr. Matthews said we're laying off staff."

But only my name was on the layoff list.

A wave of absurdity washed over me. I immediately called him to confront him.

George's tone was nonchalant, "Weren't you already planning the wedding? You can be a housewife after the wedding. Kayley will help me with the company. Let her take your place."

I flipped through Kayley's files. They were all projects I secured.

I shook from anger. "That's my life's work."

George was impatient. "That's company property. How can you be so possessive? Kayley doesn't want to work in the CEO office anymore. She wants to try something else. I have to let her try. This is my top priority."

My mind flashed back to all those business dinners. To the times I forced myself through drink after drink just to win projects. To the times he stayed by my side afterward and said, "Don't push yourself so hard. You have me."

What I once thought was tenderness had only been him using my blood, sweat, and effort to pave the way for Kayley.

George did not give me another chance to speak. "I'm on a business trip. See me tomorrow to process your resignation."

My throat tightened. I suppressed a tremor in my voice. "Okay."

After hanging up, I accepted the overseas job offer. "Mr. Pearson, I can start working in two days."