Chapter 4

Leonard's POV

After completing the final steps of my resignation, I started packing up my things—my mug, my cushion, my mouse pad, and a six-inch picture frame.

The photo in the frame was a confident selfie I took when I first joined the company.

It was the second year of my marriage to Yvonne. Back then, I was naive enough to believe that hard work could get me anything I wanted.

Now, I'd finally come to understand that someone else had decided things for me long ago.

My phone buzzed repeatedly on the desk, but I ignored it and carefully took apart the frame.

There was another photo hidden inside. It was a photo of Yvonne and me on our wedding day.

She sat beside me with her back perfectly straight, keeping her distance. I leaned slightly toward her to be a little closer, just as I'd done for years.

But I'd forgotten one thing—when two hearts were worlds apart, being physically close wouldn't bring them any closer.

I threw the frame and both photos into the trash.

Once I'd finished packing, I finally had time to pick up my phone and leave the company's main group chat.

A familiar icon flashed across my screen. There were more than 99 unread messages in the side group chat.

"Am I seeing this right? Did Leonard really quit?"

"I saw it, too. He always worked so hard. He trained me when I first started. Now he's leaving because of some guy with connections. Honestly, it doesn't sit right with me."

"Come on, don't be so sentimental. That's how the workplace works. It's survival of the fittest. No matter how good Leonard is, he just can't compete with Ms. Parker's favorite employee."

"Does anyone know what Henry likes? I want to get on his good side. Leonard's position is pretty nice. I'd love to take over."

Jessica nudged my arm and whispered, "Stop reading the group chat. You're only going to make yourself feel worse."

I shook my head. "It's okay. Once you see things for what they are, they stop hurting."

I tapped the option to leave the group.

Henry walked over, holding his drink, and froze when he saw what I was doing.

"Leonard, are you really quitting?" He snorted, sweeping his eyes over me from head to toe. "And here I thought you were supposed to be impressive. Guess you're not so special after all."

I ignored him. I didn't want to dignify him with a response, so I picked up my box and left.

He followed me.

"Leonard! Don't think you can guilt-trip Yvonne by quitting! You're nothing but her husband on paper. I'm the one she truly loves!" he screamed.

"You spent three years working your way toward that director's position, yet Yvonne handed it to me without a second thought. You'll never measure up to me!"

I didn't turn around or slow down.

His words couldn't hurt me anymore.

Once I left the building, I took a cab straight home. I planned to pack up the rest of my belongings and leave that very day.

The moment I stepped inside the house, I received a message from Yvonne. It was a reservation confirmation from an upscale restaurant.

"7:00 pm. Parking lot. Don't forget."

I didn't reply.

Another message came through. "Henry wanted me to go with him to his celebrity event, but I turned him down. I'm choosing you this time."

I could tell she emphasized those last few words.

All I felt was amusement. I'd spent five years trying to get Yvonne to choose me, even just once, but I never got that chance.

Now that I was leaving, she finally chose me.

Unfortunately, I didn't want her anymore.

I smiled, then blocked her number and deleted every other way she could contact me.

Then, I pulled out a suitcase and started packing.

At seven that evening, after leaving the last company group chat, I grabbed my packed suitcase and headed to the airport.

Meanwhile, Yvonne arrived at the parking lot right on time.

She texted me, "Are you off work? I'm waiting for you."