Chapter 3

My heart clenched. No wonder Paisley was willing to lower her pride. In the end, it was still all about Jude.

She knew perfectly well that I had been researching all of this for our wedding. And now she expected me to give her and Jude ideas?

I refused without hesitation. "Figure it out yourselves. I can't help you."

Seeing that I wouldn't play along, Paisley completely lost her temper. "Remy, I'm just putting on a show with Jude. Do you really have to take this so seriously?"

"Whether it's an act or real feelings, you know the truth," I replied.

That dreamy look on her face when she spoke of taking wedding photos said it all. She had truly fallen.

"You're being ridiculous!" Paisley stomped her foot in anger.

I didn't feel like arguing and started heading toward the bedroom. But she rushed in first, tossed my pillow out, and told me to sleep in the study, trying to force me to back down.

Little did she know, that was exactly what I wanted.

When I woke up the next day, Paisley was already gone. After washing up, I went to the company to handle my resignation with HR.

The moment I submitted my online resignation, she approved it the next second. I couldn't help but wonder how she had suddenly become so efficient.

Just then, Jude sent me a photo of him and Paisley trying on wedding outfits at a bridal shop. He obviously wanted to provoke me.

"So what if you've been with her for five years? In the end, I'm the one who gets to marry her and take wedding photos with her."

Then it hit me.

No wonder Paisley approved it so quickly; she was busy trying on wedding outfits with Jude.

Every time she went on a date with him, everything else got ignored. I had been stood up by her hundreds of times because of it.

In the past, her neglect would have hurt me. Now, I was almost grateful for it. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have been able to resign so smoothly.

I ignored Jude's taunts, finished the resignation process, and walked out of the office.

The moment I stepped outside, I was met by colleagues wearing mocking smiles.

"So what if you were the CEO's boyfriend? You still got kicked to the curb."

"Guess you really did this to yourself."

One of them even tried to splash a cup of water at me, clearly waiting to see me make a fool of myself.

This time, I didn't swallow their insults like I used to. I dodged, grabbed his wrist, and smashed the cup right against his head.

"I'm leaving for something better. Keep running your mouth, and I'll rip your tongue out."

After that, I ignored their pale faces and walked away without looking back.

Once that was done, I told Wyatt about my resignation. He messaged me saying he wanted to throw me a farewell lunch before I left.

On the way to the restaurant, we passed a photo studio. Wyatt suddenly stopped, pointed inside, and exclaimed, "Remy, isn't that Paisley and Jude?"

I looked up and froze.

The wedding outfit I had carefully designed and chosen was now on Jude.

He always seemed to get everything that was mine so easily. My project. My marriage license. And now, even the wedding photos I had dreamed of taking with Paisley—he took them all from me.

Wyatt was furious and wanted to confront them for me.

I reached out to stop him. "Forget it. It's not worth wasting time on people like them. Besides, Paisley and I are already broken up. Whatever she does is none of my business."

I turned to leave, but then Paisley noticed me. She quickly let go of Jude's hand and walked outside. "Remy, what are you doing here?"

Jude shot me a provocative look and said in a mocking tone, "Ms. Needham, I'm sure Mr. Armer found out about our plans from HR and followed us here on purpose."

She immediately got angry. "You're following us? Remy, we've been together for five years. Don't you trust me at all?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "And you? Did you ever trust me? All it took was a few words from Jude for you to believe him and start doubting me."

Jude immediately put on an aggrieved look. "Mr. Armer, you've misunderstood us. We're only taking wedding photos to satisfy my parents. If it bothers you that much, then fine. We won't take them.

"I'll cancel the marriage license later. Worst case, I'll just go back to being set up on blind dates, I guess."

He made a show of turning to leave, but Paisley grabbed his arm and shot me a cold glare. "Enough, Remy. Do you really have to push Jude into a corner like this? I already agreed to marry you. What more do you want?

"Besides, it's work hours right now. You're skipping work, so per company policy, your pay will be docked. Get out! Now!"

"And what if I don't?" I asked.

"Keep this up and see what happens. I'll fire you."

Paisley stared at me, the threat unmistakable. She knew I couldn't bear to leave her. Every time, she threatened to break up or have me fired to keep me under her thumb.

Facing this threat for what felt like the umpteenth time, I didn't get angry. Instead, I laughed. I took out my phone and showed her the resignation she had approved not long ago.

"Don't bother. Because as of just now, I've already quit!"