Chapter 2

Back at the house, I started packing.

I came across the first roses Stefan had ever given me. I'd dried them and kept them all this time.

Now they crumbled to dust at the slightest touch.

Then there were the matching mugs we'd made together, with the little symbol he'd carved into the bottoms just for us.

The symbol had faded too.

And a neat stack of train tickets.

I remembered how, every time I was away on a long business trip, Stefan would take an overnight train on the weekend to come see me.

All because I'd texted, "I miss you."

When the project ended, I had to stay home to recover. I'd worked myself sick.

If I missed a call or didn't answer a text, he'd get up and rush home, even in the middle of a meeting, just to make sure nothing had happened to me.

Just then, my phone lit up with a text from Stefan. "Sorry, Nina. Caroline has a fever and a headache, so I have to take her to the hospital. I probably won't make it home tonight. Don't wait up. Get some sleep."

I tore every one of the train tickets to pieces.

Now the only person he'd show up for was Caroline.

I threw all our memories in the trash.

Tomorrow, the company would announce who was getting the promotion to Director of International Operations.

I'd spent two whole years preparing for that job.

This year alone, I'd led my team through three of the company's most critical projects, and we'd been the company's top-performing team for four years running.

Everyone said the job was mine.

I figured I'd at least wait for tomorrow's decision before I left.

That way, I wouldn't be throwing away all the work I'd put in over the years.

Early the next morning, I went back to the office and headed straight to see Simon Clarke, the VP.

"Simon, have they made a decision on the promotion?"

Simon looked up at me in surprise. "Nina? Your fiancé didn't tell you?"

My chest tightened. "Tell me what?"

Before I could finish, Stefan pushed the door open and walked in.

He had a stack of papers in his hand. When he saw me, he stopped short.

"I'm here to submit Caroline's application for the promotion."

For a moment, the room went silent.

He acted like this was perfectly normal. Suddenly, the whole thing seemed absurd.

"An intern working as an assistant is up for Director of International Operations?"

Simon glanced from me to Stefan. He could tell things were about to blow up.

"I'll let you two talk." He got up, slipped out of the office and shut the door behind him.

The thud of the door hit me like a hammer blow.

"Still mad about yesterday? I already explained. Caroline had a fever. I couldn't just leave her alone."

He came closer.

His expensive cologne mingled with the heavy scent of roses.

I knew exactly whose perfume that was.

Then I noticed the red marks all over his neck. It wasn't hard to guess how wild their night must have been.

My stomach turned.

He caught me looking and was quick to explain. "It's an allergic reaction. Don't be so sensitive."

I looked down. I almost laughed out loud.

Such a lame excuse. And I used to actually believe him.

"I'm not mad. I just want to know...

"Seven years of project experience. My team ranked first four years in a row." I looked up and met Stefan's eyes. "How is an intern who's been here three months supposed to compete with that?"

"Nina." Stefan set the papers on the desk and spoke to me like he was explaining something to a child. "Caroline's getting the position. It's already been decided."

"Already decided?"

"The company really needs Orbis's investment right now."

I was stunned for a second. Then I let out a sarcastic laugh.

"So connections trump everything?"

"No. It's because of us. Everyone at the company knows we're about to get married, and that's exactly why this has to be fair."

Fair. He actually said fair.

"The selection committee would favor you, at least a little, just because of me," he went on. "That's not fair."

I stared at him.

I'd loved this man for seven years, and it was like I'd never really known him.

"Stefan, it's been seven years. I've never once used you to get ahead. Everything I've achieved, I earned on my own. You know that better than anyone."

He lowered his eyes.

"Nina, I'm really sorry. But the company's future is on the line. There's nothing I can do this time."

He stepped closer and reached for me, trying to calm me down.

I stepped back, out of his reach.

"If I'd lost because she was better than me, I'd honestly be happy for her." My voice started to shake, but I fought to keep it steady. "But the real reason I lost is you.

"What I can't stand is that you, of all people, know how hard I've worked for seven years. And with one decision, you made all of it mean nothing."

"Nina, it's not like that. There'll be a next time. Trust me!"

Next time.

Always next time.

I let out a quiet laugh.

"If you're really that upset, I'll take you on vacation when this is over to make it up to you," he went on.

Just then, the door flew open.

Caroline barged in, acting like she hadn't noticed the tension between Stefan and me.

She was holding a stack of files and smiling brightly.

"Sorry, Nina. Mind if I borrow your fiancé for a minute?"

I saw the smugness behind her smile, then turned and left.

"Nina!" Stefan called after me. "When I get back, we'll go on that vacation."

I didn't look back.