CHAPTER TWO

The comments kept multiplying every time I refreshed the page. More people laughed at the worst night of my life. My thumb hovered over the screen as I scrolled aimlessly.

"She really thought she could compete with Elara Hart?"

"Three years and he still chose Elara. That says everything."

"Someone please tell her dignity is free."

A sharp pain spread through my chest. I locked my phone immediately, but the words remained stuck in my head. A sob rose in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

No, this couldn't be the end, there had to be an explanation, something I didn't know. Three years didn't just disappear overnight.

I thought about every birthday, late-night call, unending promises, and the future we planned together. 

I had built my life around Ethan Whitmore. Even my job at Hart Foundation had been his idea.

He was the one who encouraged me to apply, and even celebrated when I got accepted.

Everyone knew we were together at the Hart Foundation, everyone. A fresh wave of tears blurred my vision, and I wiped them away angrily.

Crying wasn't giving me answers, Ethan would.

I grabbed my phone and dialed his number, it rang but there was no reply, I called again, it went straight to voicemail, I laughed. 

I grabbed my handbag and stood up. If Ethan wouldn't answer his phone, then I'd make him answer me face-to-face.

The ride to Whitmore Enterprises felt endless as I kept replaying last night in my head. The way he'd held Elara's hand, and the way he'd looked at me like I was a stranger.

By the time the taxi stopped outside the building, my stomach was in knots. I headed for the entrance immediately. One of the security guards immediately blocked my path.

"I'm sorry, Miss Nora, you can't go inside"

My brows knitted together. “What!” For a moment, I thought I'd heard him wrong. "What do you mean I can't go inside?"

The guard shifted uncomfortably. "We were given instructions…" Hesitated a bit "by Miss Elara Hart."

Heat rushed through my body as the humiliation from last night came running back.

"Elara Hart doesn't own this company."

"Miss Nora—"

"No!" I screamed. "I am not leaving until I see Ethan."

The guard moved again. Several heads turned, and employees slowed down to watch. I could feel it, but I ignored them.

"What's happening?" The familiar voice froze everyone, including me. Ethan, my heart betrayed me immediately, even after everything, I turned and there he was, Perfect suit, Perfect hair and  smile

like he hadn't destroyed me twenty-four hours ago.

"Ethan." The security guards stepped aside. 

His eyes met mine briefly, then slid away.

"Let her through."

Relief flooded me. Finally, I would get answers. I hurried toward him. Instinctively, I reached for him but he stepped back. Something cracked inside me, but I ignored it.

"Follow me." And that was it.

The office door clicked shut behind us and silence filled the room. I stared at him as he loosened his tie and sighed. He looked angry.

"Ethan." My voice broke. "Tell me what's going on."

He rubbed his temples. "Nora."

That tone. The one people used before delivering bad news. My heart sank.

"Please." I stepped closer. "Please tell me there is something I'm missing."

His eyes softened for a second, then hardened again. "There isn't — There isn't anything you're missing."

My fingers tightened.

"No." I shook my head repeatedly. "No, that's impossible."

"Nora—"

"You promised me." The words burst out before I could hold them in. "You promised we'd get married,  that we'd build a family, You promised—"

"I know what I promised." His voice cut through mine.

The coldness in it stole my breath, and then he looked directly at me and shattered the little hope remaining.

"I love Elara.”

I heard the words, but my mind refused to accept them. "What?"

"I love Elara."

The room suddenly felt too hot and suffocating. I stared at him, searching for a joke, but instead, he looked relieved like he was finally telling the truth.

A horrible realization crept over me. I wanted to confirm what Elara said last night.

"How long?"

He looked away.

"Ethan." My voice shook. "How long?"

Several seconds passed before he replied.

"Two years."

Everything inside me stopped and I stumbled backward.

"No." The word came out as a whisper. "You are lying."

"I'm not."

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks as the pieces clicked together. The work trip, late meetings, unanswered calls

"You cheated on me."

He remained silent, and that was enough to answer, I laughed, a broken miserable sound.

"You cheated on me for two years."

"Nora—"

"For two years!" The shout echoed through the office. "Ethan, why?"

His gaze dropped.

"Because Elara could give me the future I wanted."

The tears stopped, not because the pain was gone, but because the shock was greater.

"What?"

"Look around Nora." He gestured toward the office.

"The opportunities, connections, influence."

Every word felt like another knife pierced my chest. This wasn't the man I loved, or maybe it was, I had never really known him.

"And what about me, nothing?"

He exhaled heavily. "I cared about you, Nora."

Cared. Three years reduced to a single word.

Something inside me finally snapped. Not anger or heartbreak, but acceptance, painful ugly acceptance. The Ethan I loved didn't exist anymore.

The office door suddenly opened and Elara walked in elegantly and confidently and her gaze landed on me and a smile curved her lips. For the first time, I understood I had already lost long before yesterday, I just hadn't known it yet.

I pressed a trembling hand against my mouth, trying to stop the sob that escaped. Neither of them looked sorry. It was as though I were an unwanted guest who had overstayed her welcome. Elara sighed dramatically and wrapped her arms around Ethan's neck.

"She's still here."

Ethan rubbed his forehead. "Nora, please leave."

The finality in his voice hurt more than the betrayal itself. There was no hesitation.

"Ethan..." My voice cracked.

He didn't answer, instead, he looked away.

The office door opened and two security guards stepped inside. One of the guards approached cautiously. "Miss Nora."

I stared at Ethan, waiting for him to stop them, or ask them to leave, but Ethan remained silent. My heart shattered all over again.

The guard gently touched my arm. "Please come with us." I couldn't fight, I just allowed them to guide me toward the door.

"Pathetic." Elara's voice followed me.

I stood outside the building for what felt like forever. My cheeks felt tight from dried tears and my stomach twisted painfully then I realized I hadn't eaten all day. I entered a small restaurant across the street.

A plate of food arrived a few minutes later, I stared at it but I couldn't bring myself to take a bite. Eventually, I forced down a few bites, paid and walked out.

I didn't call a cab, I didn't know where I wanted to go. So I walked past the crowded streets and busy shops. My phone vibrated inside my purse, but I ignored it and shoved it deeper into my bag and kept walking.

By the time I reached my apartment, my feet ached. I unlocked the door and stepped inside.

An empty silence greeted me. I dropped my purse onto the couch and finally looked at my phone.

Ten missed calls and two messages.

Rose: Nora, where are you? Mrs. Sophia has been asking about you.

Mrs. Sophia: Nora, sweetheart, how are you feeling?

My throat tightened. I stared at the screen for several seconds before whispering, "Broken."

I placed the phone beside me, curled into a ball on the bed, and closed my eyes. For the first time in my life, I wished tomorrow wouldn't come.

The days that followed blurred together. I ignored social media, ignored calls, and messages. I ignored the world. By the seventh day, the tears had stopped, not because I had healed, but because I was exhausted.

On the eighth morning, I got out of bed and stood in front of the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked tired, but she was still standing. That had to count for something. For the first time in a week, I prepared to go to work.

My phone remained untouched on the dresser.

I wasn't ready to see what the internet thought of me today. I slipped it into my purse and left.

The moment I walked into Hart Foundation, the atmosphere shifted. A cold feeling settled in my stomach.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze, straightened my shoulders and kept walking, pretending not to notice.

I reached my desk and sat down, then Rose appeared beside me moments later. Concern filled her eyes.

"Nora—"

"I'm not ready to talk about it." My voice came out softer than intended.

Rose hesitated before nodding. "Okay." She squeezed my shoulder gently and walked away.

I stared at my computer screen trying to work and be normal, then my phone vibrated, I glanced down and a message from Mrs. Sophia appeared. 

“Please come to my office immediately.”My stomach dropped.

Mrs. Sophia never summoned employees without a reason and suddenly, I wasn't sure this meeting had anything to do with work.