Chapter 5

Several seconds passed before Diana's hysterical shout tore through the speaker.

"That's impossible! Walter, say something!"

Arlene glanced at me and handed the phone back, her eyes full of gentle concern.

I took the phone and said, my voice as calm as if I were exchanging pleasantries with a new client, "Diana, I'll have my assistant send you the wedding invitation. You and Steven are both welcome to attend."

"Have you lost your mind?" Diana asked, her voice shaking. "How long have you even known Arlene? Do you have any idea who she really is? And you're just going to marry her, just like that?"

I nearly laughed out loud.

I had known Arlene for 28 years, while I had only known Diana for eight.

So, no, I wasn't marrying Arlene on a whim.

"Arlene's a family friend I've grown up with since we were babies." I paused, then added, "I met her 20 years before I ever met you."

Ragged breathing came through the receiver. It was as if Diana had been pinned in place by my reply.

Without giving her another chance to speak, I hung up the phone.

Arlene stood behind me, her eyes meeting mine through the mirror.

"Any regrets?" she asked softly.

I shook my head. Then, I turned around to face her and said earnestly, "I'm sorry for making you wait all these years."

She reached out and gently wiped away a tear that I had shed without noticing.

"It was worth it," she replied, her smile tender and restrained.

That night, Diana called me repeatedly. But I didn't pick up any of them.

I did, however, read the WhatsApp messages she sent me.

She started by sending a few drunken, accusatory texts.

"Walter, pick up the phone.

"What the heck are you playing at?

"Are you really that desperate for a woman?"

Half an hour later, her tone suddenly softened.

"Walter, I'm sorry. I had a little too much to drink today. I wasn't thinking straight when I sent those messages.

"There's really nothing going on between Steven and me. We're going to file for divorce first thing tomorrow morning.

"Don't be impulsive. Marriage isn't some kind of game."

I read the message and was suddenly taken back eight years.

Back then, I had just graduated and joined Diana's company.

She'd said, "Walter, let's keep our relationship a secret for now. Given how complicated workplace dynamics could be, I don't want people saying you climbed the ladder through connections."

I had believed her.

Three years after that, when I'd become the top performer in the marketing department, Diana had said, "Let's wait a little longer. The company's just getting off the ground, and I don't want our personal lives to affect team morale."

And I'd believed her yet again.

Five years after that, when I was holding the trophy for top salesperson of the year, Diana had said, "Once the company goes public, I promise to marry you. We'll have the wedding of the century!"

I had smiled and said okay.

I had waited eight years for Diana, from a naive 22-year-old to a seasoned veteran of the business world at 30.

But what I got in return was the news that she had registered her marriage with Steven. Moreover, not only did she give our marital home for him to live in, but she couldn't even be bothered to clear my name and say, "He's not a homewrecker" in front of the entire company.

I left all her messages on read, then turned off my phone.

The next morning, I went straight to Diana's company to process my resignation.

When I walked into the office, everyone looked at me, their expressions complicated.

Yesterday, they had all seen me as a failed, clingy homewrecker. But that day, the look in their eyes had shifted. It was probably because they'd seen the photo of Arlene on Instagram and were now busy reassessing exactly how much status I carried.

I walked straight into the HR department and placed the signed resignation form on the desk.

"Walter, are you really leaving?" Kerry Frye, the HR director, took the form with visible reluctance. "You've worked here for eight years. You're practically a founding member."

I smiled and replied, "Eight years is long enough. It's time for me to start a new chapter."