Chapter 3

Early the next morning, the moment I arrived at work, I felt the shift in the air.

I was the operations manager at Charlotte’s company.

My usual work friends were whispering in hushed circles as I walked in.

Before I could figure out what was happening, the conference room door swung open.

Charlotte walked in with her assistant, live-streaming as she moved.

Her eyes were red and swollen from recent crying.

Catching sight of me, she sniffled into the camera:

“Guys, I was being silly yesterday and tried on my best friend’s wedding gown.

“I apologized right away, terrified of making her mad, but still she would not forgive me. Please don’t send her any hate—it’s entirely my fault.”

The chat blew up instantly, every comment locked onto me:

“Don’t cry, Charlotte baby! Cut ties with that fake friend!”

“I hear she works at your agency? That’s no way to treat your boss!”

I watched her performance for a bit, then turned back to my desk to pack my things, ready to quit.

A hand clamped onto my wrist.

Jeremy had arrived out of nowhere.

Shielding Charlotte behind him, he started shouting at me before the entire room:

“Aren’t you done with your tantrum? Charlotte apologized. When are you gonna stop?

“She stayed up all night over this. Your turn to apologize now!”

I stared at the man who had once sworn to protect me, now making me the villain to everyone for another woman.

To quiet down her fans’ fury, Jeremy announced on the spot:

“Great work today, guys. As a thank you, Charlotte will be buying drinks for the whole office. Evelyn’s paying!”

As the studio erupted in cheers, I let out a soft laugh and yanked my hand free.

I pulled my printed resignation letter from my desk.

“Get someone else to pay.

“I’m done with this job, and with you.”

Under the stunned stares of everyone, I took down my ID badge, tossed it in the trash, and walked out empty-handed.

Out in the sun, I pulled out my phone and booked a ticket overseas on the spot—a trip away to seek new opportunities I had abandoned years ago to stay by his side.

Jeremy didn’t run after me.

He was in the dressing room comforting a sobbing Charlotte when his phone buzzed.

Due to our linked account, my flight confirmation popped up on his screen:

“Passenger Evelyn Sinclair has successfully booked flight MHXX to Norwood...”

His friend was leaning over, shouting with an exaggerated tone:

“Wow, bro, Evelyn’s outdone herself this time. She’s actually leaving?”

Charlotte bit her lip, looking worried.

“Jeremy, is Evelyn really that mad? Is she really leaving you?”

Jeremy glanced at the text and scoffed, tossing his phone onto the table, looking all confident.

“She didn’t even pack. Where could she be off to?

“Besides, she’s been with me five years. She loves me too much to walk away.

“It’s just a cheap trick to make me yield.

“I’ll give her three days, then she’ll come crawling back to apologize.”