Chapter 3

The second I got back to my desk, Tracy Nolan leaned over. "So? What happened?"

"They already decided. Caroline's getting it."

Tracy's eyes went wide.

"That bitch?! Isn't it enough that she's all over Stefan every single day? Now they're making her a director too? I swear, I'm going to rip her face off."

She shot to her feet.

I pressed firmly on her hand to stop her and shook my head.

"You're just letting it go? What did Stefan say?"

"Stefan's the one who turned in her application."

"Oh my God, what a pair of scumbags! You're just going to let them get away with it?"

Right then, Stefan and Caroline finally emerged from Simon's office.

Caroline had her arm hooked through his.

They leaned in close, whispering to each other and trading lovestruck glances as if no one else existed.

Stefan pulled a box out of his pocket and proudly held it out to Caroline.

Inside was an antique sapphire necklace.

If I remembered right, it was a family heirloom.

The same one he'd once said would go to his future wife.

He gently fastened it around Caroline's neck.

Caroline was so excited she was close to tears. She covered her mouth and couldn't hold back a gasp.

I remembered when he'd done the same thing for me. He'd pulled out a diamond ring and slipped it onto my finger. "My princess, I'll love you forever. I'll never betray you."

But now, Caroline was in my place.

The whole office went silent.

Every eye in the room turned toward us.

Everyone knew Stefan and I were about to get married. The pity on their faces hit me like a slap.

The two of them seemed to snap out of it.

Caroline caught my eye and hurried to explain, making sure the whole room could hear. "Nina, don't get the wrong idea! Stefan only lent me the necklace for tomorrow's work event. That's all. There's nothing between us!"

Stefan hurried over too and took my hand.

"I'm just letting her borrow it. The necklace will be yours after the wedding. I know where my priorities lie."

I pulled my hand free and stepped back.

"The necklace looks good on Caroline."

Caroline fidgeted with her fingers, looking taken aback. "Maybe I should just take it off..."

"No!" Stefan immediately stepped between us, shielding Caroline. "Nina, stop making a scene. You're only embarrassing yourself by acting this desperate."

Ha.

I laughed, mostly at myself.

"Desperate? Please. I don't even want it."

I looked at Stefan. "Go ahead and keep the necklace for Caroline."

"I said I was keeping it for you." Stefan frowned.

"Don't bother."

I didn't want it anymore.

"You're really just letting it go?" Tracy squeezed my hand tight.

I squeezed back. "I'm leaving anyway."

I yanked the ring off my finger and threw it in my bag.

That afternoon, I put my resignation letter on Simon's desk.

He sighed. "This company's about to lose a lot more than a director."

I just smiled and didn't say anything.

When I walked out of Simon's office, I saw that Stefan's door was shut.

Caroline's desk was empty too.

Tracy caught up with me at the elevators. Her eyes were red.

"If those two ever dare..."

"No one's going to push me around anymore," I said. "I'm the one who's done with this."

I walked out of the building, pulling my suitcase behind me, and headed for the airport.

On the way, Stefan kept texting me.

"Nina, I'm sorry. What happened today was my fault. Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad."

I knew he'd never really been sorry.

"When you're back from your trip, I'll be there for your fitting."

Sitting at the gate, I sent him one last reply.

"Don't bother. Go with Caroline. We're done."

I turned off my phone and closed my eyes.

The plane was about to take off, and I never wanted to see that man again.