Chapter 1

Inside the office building, after the executive meeting ended, I walked toward Nicholas Greene's office, holding a ring I'd prepared in advance.

The door was slightly ajar. What I saw froze me in place.

The new hire, Tiffany Leary, was blushing as she curled up in his arms. In her hand was a red ring box. Inside it lay a diamond ring, at least ten carats, catching the light and reflecting it brightly.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it! But isn't it a bit too big?"

Affection filled Nicholas' eyes as he laughed softly. "Only something like this suits your status."

A blissful smile spread across Tiffany's face. As she shyly turned her head away, she happened to spot me standing at the door. Her eyes flashed with a flicker of delight before she hurried over and grabbed my hand. "Ariana, you're here. Sorry for lying to you before. I'm not an employee here. I'm Nicholas' fiance."

I had personally mentored Tiffany for a month, so we'd grown quite close. The sudden news caught me off guard.

I instinctively looked toward Nicholas. Our eyes met, and he frowned ever so slightly. His gaze was cold, laced with warning.

After ten years in a secret relationship with him, I understood almost immediately. He didn't want Tiffany to know about us.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Really? That's sudden."

Tiffany pulled me into the office, excitedly explaining, "Our engagement was arranged back in college. We only recently started preparing for the wedding. But I just missed him so much, so I came here and picked up a random position."

Her gaze fell on the ring box in my hand. She blinked, puzzled. "Ariana, who's that for?"

My grip tightened around the box. I glanced at Nicholas. He was frowning at me too, but quickly looked away.

Sensing the subtle tension between us, Tiffany's expression changed. "Ariana… Why are you looking at Nicholas?"

A chill spread through my body. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The office fell dead silent.

As her expression darkened further, the door opened again. The ring box in my hand was snatched away by a well-defined hand. I looked up.

It was Nicholas' uncle, Chandler Greene. He slipped the box casually into his pocket with an indifferent expression and said, "Mine." After that, he shot Nicholas a look of disdain and turned to leave.

Only then did Tiffany smile again, though her gaze toward me carried a trace of suspicion. "Nicholas, I suddenly think coming to work at your company was a good idea."

Nicholas finally spoke. "Why?"

Her eyes curved. "I heard rumors before that you and Ariana were having an affair."

My whole body stiffened. My hands at my sides curled slightly.

But the next second, she laughed. "But coming here made me realize that although Ariana may have what it takes to be a homewrecker, her mind is all on her work."

As she said this, she stared straight at me. "Right, Ariana?"

I stayed silent. But Nicholas replied, "What are you thinking? She's just my employee. There's only one person in my heart, and you know who that is."

The office windows were open, yet I felt like I couldn't breathe.

Tiffany shot him a playful glare, then threw herself back into his arms.

It wasn't until 1:00 am that Nicholas finally returned to our apartment. We had lived together for eight years.

He was startled to see me sitting motionless on the couch. "Still not asleep?"

When I didn't answer, he took off his suit jacket, still carrying the scent of Tiffany's perfume, and sat down across from me.