Chapter 2

I hadn't even left the company for long when Derek called. "Where are you? The celebratory dinner isn't even over yet. Stop throwing a tantrum and come back."

My voice stayed even. "I told you, I quit. Let Jocelyn take over the project. And from now on, we're done. Don't bother me again."

His tone instantly turned impatient. "Can you stop causing a scene? She's just a rookie. There's no way she can handle R&D."

I let out a scoff. I was unable to hide the sarcasm in my tone as I said, "So, you're aware she can't handle it. Then, why did you have no qualms giving her all the credit for my work?"

"I already said I'd give you a promotion and a raise. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get every cent you deserve on your bonus."

Even now, Derek still thought all I cared about was money.

I didn't want to argue with someone like him. I simply hung up.

I drove back to the home Derek and I shared. I didn't want to stay there any longer than necessary, so I started packing that same night.

It wasn't until late that night that Derek came home, reeking of alcohol, with Jocelyn right behind him.

The moment he saw me packing, he lost his temper and snapped, "Kathy, are you done yet? It's just one project. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?"

Jocelyn hurried forward, pretending to stop him. "Derek, don't be mad. If Kathy's so bothered about it, I can give her the credit instead. Don't let this affect your relationship.

"After all, I'm not like her. I don't have her education or experience. Someone like me isn't qualified to take on this project."

The more she tried to sound modest, the more Derek turned his anger on me.

He strode over, snatched the suitcase from my hand, and slammed it onto the floor. Everything spilled out.

"I'm telling you right now. Without my permission, you're not going anywhere!"

As the suitcase was forced open, a round glass bottle rolled out and stopped at Jocelyn's feet. She picked it up, sniffed it, and immediately put on a disdainful expression.

"Kathy, why are you still using cheap perfume?"

My expression instantly shifted. That bottle of perfume was the last thing Mom had left me.

"Give it back!" I shouted and rushed forward.

Jocelyn flinched, but a flash of malice crossed her eyes. When I reached her, she suddenly threw herself backward.

The bottle hit the ground with a sharp crack. Glass shattered everywhere, and the perfume spread across the floor.

Jocelyn collapsed onto the ground, clutching her arm as she cried out, "Ouch! That hurts… Kathy, why did you push me?"

"Jocelyn!"

Derek shoved me aside and rushed over, pulling her into his arms as he anxiously checked her injuries.

I didn't even bother looking at them. I could only stare at the shattered glass and the perfume that was gradually evaporating.

This had been Mom's favorite perfume. After she passed, every time I smelled it, it felt like she was still with me.

All these years, I had protected it so carefully.

Now, it was gone. It was reduced to broken glass scattered across the floor.

Derek cast an icy glance at me. "It's just a bottle of perfume. Do you really need to make such a big deal out of it? Good thing Jocelyn only got a scratch."

My lips parted as I tried to speak, but no sound came out. I could only look at him in disbelief.

He knew exactly what that bottle meant to me. I had told him more than once that it was Mom's keepsake.

He had once promised that it would stay with us forever, like she was still watching over us. Now, he was telling me it was just some cheap perfume.

He took Jocelyn's hand and carefully wiped the small scratch on it. "Let's get that treated. As for you, we both need to cool off tonight."

With that, he left with her. The door slammed shut behind them. I sank to the floor and slowly gathered the broken glass, placing the pieces into a bag.

I sat there beside the fading scent, waiting for it to disappear little by little.

It felt just like back then, when Mom's life was slipping away from me bit by bit, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

By the time morning came, the fragrance had completely disappeared.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was the professor from the partner research team.

"Kathy, your project has real potential. If it succeeds, it could save countless lives. Are you sure you don't want to keep going?"

I let out a sigh. "I've already left the company."

He chuckled. "That's not a problem. A pharmaceutical company has already reached out to me. They've been interested in you for a while and want to bring you over to their team."

When I heard the company's name, I paused.

It was one of the top biopharmaceutical companies in the country. It was already publicly listed and incredibly well-established.

Thus, I stopped hesitating and nodded in agreement.

"Okay."