Chapter 1

Five years into a secret thing with my boss, Eric Dempsey, I finally crushed the performance bar for a promotion—finally felt like his equal.

The night we celebrated, I was riding high... until he handed all the credit to Shelly Focker.

Everyone cheered like they were soulmates. Like they actually made sense together.

My heart sank. I couldn't move. Just stood there, hollow.

That's when it hit me—he never loved me. Never even tried.

I stepped aside and called Jared Jensen.

"I'm ready. I want to work in Votara."

"Wait, seriously? Okay, I'm throwing you a welcome party the second you land!"

Jared was stunned for like a second, then jumped straight into confirming everything. I could hear the buzz in his voice, even through the phone.

Then he got real quiet for a beat.

"I knew Eric didn't know what he had. You staying under him was a total waste. Come grow with me—we'll build something amazing."

I gave a soft hum, eyes locked on Eric through the restaurant's window. He was clinking glasses with Shelly, the crowd hyping them up like they were some golden couple.

No hesitation. No guilt. He looked... happy. Warm eyes, soft smile—like that moment was everything.

Jared must've caught the background noise.

"When can you fly out to Votara?"

Felt like someone punched a hole straight through my chest. I couldn't stop staring—watching them kiss like no one else existed.

Clutching my ribs, I whispered, "Give me two days. I'll wrap up here and come find you in Votara."

Jared hung up, totally hyped.

I dropped my hand, but the shaking wouldn't stop.

It was summer, but seeing Eric betray me like that left me frozen.

Laughter kept spilling out of the restaurant. Eric's inner circle—the guys who built everything with him—were handing Shelly flowers like this was some long-awaited fairy tale.

I dug my nails into my palm, trying to hold it together.

Then Eric saw me.

For a second, his face cracked—just a flicker of panic. But he snapped right back to that cold, smug version of himself. The one who never really looked at me.

I used to be hooked on that high-and-mighty version of him. Spent three years chasing, giving him everything.

When he finally said yes five years ago, it felt like I hit the jackpot.

Now? Watching all this unfold? I was just... tired.

Tired of chasing. Tired of hiding. Tired of a love that always made me feel small.

Watching him peel shrimp, wipe Shelly's mouth, pat her back so gently—it hit me.

He knew how to be kind. I just wasn't the one he chose.

I walked into the restaurant, grabbed a glass, and raised it like the others.

"Mr. Dempsey and Ms. Focker, I wish you a long and happy life together."

Then I tossed back the liquor in one go. It burned, eyes stinging—but I kept smiling.

Eric froze when he saw me. His brows pulled tight.

Yeah, I was the eyesore now.

I turned and walked out without looking back.

He called after me—but right then, Shelly spilled her drink with a loud yelp. Just like that, he was all hers again. Jacket off, tucked around her legs, full caretaker mode.

I let out a dry laugh.

That look on his face—real worry—it stung. Bad.

In five years, I'd never seen Eric flinch, even in a storm. But with her, he unraveled. Over and over.

Even if I'd been blind before, I couldn't fake it now.

I went home alone. Back to the place I'd called home for five years.