Chapter 3 The Final Straw

At home, the wedding decorations were still up. The sight was especially painful. I ripped the decorations down and threw them in the trash.

Leo didn't even notice. He simply continued talking. "Cressida and I are officially married now. She needs to move in. The master bedroom gets the best sunlight, so she can have it."

He seemed much calmer now, though I could still detect a hint of satisfaction.

Of course he was pleased. He'd managed to flee his own wedding, snatch Cressida away, and marry her, all in a single day.

How could he not be excited?

"Whatever." I had no interest in dealing with him.

I pulled out my suitcase and started packing. I packed only my own things, leaving behind everything that belonged to Leo.

"What are you doing now? Planning to run away?" He finally noticed what I was doing.

"This isn't my home."

We hadn't gotten married. We'd never even had a wedding. Somehow, I was the one who'd ended up an outsider.

Leo lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.

"I never realized you could be so petty. I told you, I only married Cressida to protect her," he said impatiently.

When I didn't respond, he actually laughed. "Where would you even go without me?"

I scoffed. It wasn't like I couldn't survive without him. I had a place of my own. I had somewhere to go.

I picked up my suitcase and walked out.

I forced myself to keep going until I reached my apartment door. Only then could I finally breathe a little easier.

Yet, moments later, my entire body tensed again. The passcode was incorrect.

I refused to give up. I tried every passcode I could remember, even Leo's birthday, but nothing worked.

My mind went blank. Then, Cressida's face suddenly flashed through my mind. With trembling hands, I entered Cressida's birthday, and the door unlocked with a click.

The apartment was a complete mess.

A dress was still draped over the couch, waiting to be put away. Cressida's pictures hung on the walls.

I stopped dead, unable to believe what I was seeing.

"Cressida lost her job because of you. Otherwise, she wouldn't be homeless. Letting her stay here is the least you can do to make up for what you did." Leo's voice suddenly sounded behind me.

They'd rushed over.

Cressida peeked out from behind him, feigning innocence, but the corners of her mouth turned up. She couldn't hide her smug satisfaction.

I was shaking with anger. So, this was why Leo had suggested we move in together in the first place.

"She was the one who chose to resign. What does that have to do with me? She was the one who left her post without permission and violated the rules—"

Before I could finish, Cressida cut me off. "Freya, I know you're close to your supervisor. I don't blame you for what happened."

She spoke softly, but her eyes were full of challenge. "Still, you should know where to draw the line, especially when he's married."

Suddenly, everything became clear. Those rumors I'd been hearing for days had all come from her.

Memories came flooding back. I could still picture Cressida dragging me into the pool.

My anger erupted. I raised my right hand, ready to slap Cressida.

Before I could bring it down, Leo caught my wrist.

"Are you done making a scene? Freya, I've put up with enough. Stop pushing your luck. Are you going to tell me those rumors are all lies? Can you honestly say you earned that promotion fair and square?"

He shoved me hard, sending me crashing to the floor. He looked down at me coldly.

I had nothing to hide.

I had joined the TV station before Cressida. I had more seniority and better work ethics. There was no question of me having stolen the promotion from her.

A month ago, the station had given me two options—accept a promotion and stay, or go abroad for further training.

I'd chosen the promotion without hesitation.

Back then, I'd believed Leo loved me. I'd believed we'd get married without a hitch. Now, I realized how wrong that decision had been.

The pain from my injuries was getting worse.

With trembling hands, I called my supervisor. "I've made my decision. I'll give up the promotion and go abroad instead."