Chapter 1: The Morning After Us

Kanya’s POV 

We broke up yesterday. 

And somehow, the world didn’t end. 

The sun still rose this morning, slipping through the curtains like it always did. The city was still loud. People still laughed. Cars still moved like nothing had changed. 

But everything had. 

I stared at my reflection for too long, brushing my hair with slow, mechanical movements. My eyes were puffy from crying last night, and the skin around them was red and sore from hours of tears. 

My phone buzzed on the table, and for a split second, my heart reacted before my mind could intervene. I dropped the brush and snatched the device, desperate to see his name on the screen. 

It was just a work notification. The meeting had been moved to 9 AM, serving as a cold reminder that I still had to face Zane Knight today. 

Of course. 

He was the boss. I was the secretary. 

I wondered if he slept just fine or if I ever crossed his mind at all. 

I shook my head and grabbed my bag. None of those questions mattered. He had been clear yesterday. He admitted he cheated. The other woman was pregnant. And he had to end things with me to focus on her and the child. 

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the hotel room. 

***** 

The lobby of Knight Enterprises was busy as usual. I kept my head down and walked past the receptionist, forcing my legs to move even though my chest felt tight. Every step felt heavy, but I told myself I could do this. I had to. 

Three years ago, Zane stood in this exact spot and announced we were dating. He wanted the world to know I was his. 

Now, I just wanted to be invisible. 

Taylor Rosewood, my closest friend and the only person in this building I actually trusted, was waiting by my desk. She didn't say a word. She just handed me a large cup of coffee and squeezed my shoulder. I had called her last night, sobbing so hard she could barely understand me. 

"You don't have to stay," Taylor whispered. "Call in sick. I'll cover for you." 

"I have to work, Taylor," I said. My voice sounded thin. "I can't let him take my job too." 

The elevator doors opened. Zane walked out with his coat over his arm. He looked perfect. His suit was pressed and his jaw was clean-shaven. He didn't look like a man who had destroyed a three-year relationship twelve hours ago. 

He stopped at my desk, his expression unreadable and cold. 

"Miss Klopper," he said. The name felt like a slap. He used to call me love in front of everyone, never caring about being professional. Now, he used my title like a wall. "The reports for the 9 AM meeting. Are they ready?" 

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I stood up and handed him a folder. "They are right here, Mr. Knight." 

He took it carefully, making sure his fingers didn’t brush mine. His gaze never lifted to my face, never lingered on my swollen eyes. He only gave a brief nod before turning and walking toward the conference room. 

"Asshole," Taylor muttered under her breath. 

I spent the next six hours pretending to be a machine. I filed papers. I answered calls. I booked his flights for next month, performing every task with precision while my mind stayed elsewhere. 

Every time I looked at him through the glass walls of his office, I remembered how it used to be. I remembered him pulling me onto his lap during late-night shifts and promising me that he would spend the rest of his life making me happy. 

At 3 PM, he called me into his office. 

"I need you to cancel my dinner reservation at Bellucci’s," he said, typing on his laptop without looking up. 

"That was for our anniversary next week," I said. My professional mask slipped for a second. 

"I am aware," he said, tone clipped. "Change it to a table for two at Delmaro’s for 8 PM. Use the name Sydney." 

I gripped my notepad. "The woman you told me about?" 

"Yes. Miss Klopper, I have a conference call in five minutes. That will be all." 

I walked out and sat at my desk. I didn't cry. I felt numb. I did my work until the clock hit 5 PM. Taylor tried to get me to leave with her, but I told her I had more filing to do. I waited until the office went quiet and the cleaning crew started their rounds on the other side of the floor. 

I couldn't go home yet. The math didn't add up. I knew every version of Zane. I knew the CEO and the lover. I knew the man who couldn't even hide a surprise birthday gift from me. If he had been cheating for months, I would have seen it. 

I needed to hear the truth one more time. 

Maybe this time it would sound different. 

I stood up and walked toward his private office. Light spilled from beneath the door. I didn’t knock. I grabbed the handle and pushed it open. 

"Zane, we need to—" 

The words died in my throat. 

Zane wasn't at his desk. He was standing by the window. A woman with long blonde hair had her arms wrapped around his neck. He was holding her waist, his head tilted as he pressed his lips hard against hers. 

I stood there, and for the first time in three years, Zane Knight didn't care that I was watching.