Chapter 3

Caleb spoke up softly. "It's okay, Zach. I'll look at some other designs. If nothing works, I can design it myself. You're already so busy—"

"You're still a newbie in the industry," Cindy cut him off. "Your workload is already heavy enough. Designing the place yourself on top of that would be exhausting."

The concern in her voice came so naturally. In fact, she had said it so matter-of-factly that I was sure she'd completely forgotten I was still responsible for the project I'd been working on for more than six months.

I'd been just as busy and just as exhausted. Yet, she expected me to make time to redesign a home that was supposed to be mine for someone else.

Looking straight at me, Cindy said, "Put your current project on hold. Focus on helping Cal get this done first. The next phase is due next week. You're efficient. Three days should be enough for you to finish the drawings. Then, you can oversee the renovations. You'll have plenty of time."

She said it so casually, as if I had an infinite reserve of time at my disposal.

My voice turned frosty as I pushed back. "I can't put it on hold. This project is mine."

Cindy let out a short laugh. "Yours? At this stage, the project is where it is because of the company's resources, not because you drew a few blueprints and carried the whole thing."

Caleb tugged gently at her sleeve. "Don't argue with Zach because of me. Maybe I should—"

She pressed his hand down and went on, "Don't worry about it. Zachary, if you're feeling overwhelmed, just say so. I can have someone else take over the project. You don't have to carry everything yourself."

She said it so easily. The project I'd poured my heart and soul into was nothing more than an insignificant task to her. Apparently, anyone could take over.

I looked straight at her and said, "Cindy, I think I should make myself clear about some things. First, I'm the company's chief designer. I've been the lead designer for this project from the very beginning. You don't have the authority to replace me whenever you feel like it."

"Secondly…" I paused and continued, "I'm breaking up with you. You don't get to order me to hand over my designs so someone else can use them to renovate the apartment."

Cindy froze for a second before laughing. There was unmistakable mockery in her laugh.

"Break up with me? Zachary, are you kidding me? All this over an apartment?"

She stepped closer and pressed, "You just renewed your lease and paid six months' rent up front. How much money do you even have left? How long do you think you can survive on whatever's in your bank account?"

I replied, "I didn't renew the lease."

She clearly didn't believe me.

"Stop throwing a tantrum. If you really break up with me, you won't even be able to afford the place you're living in now. Apologize, and I'll pretend you never said any of this."

Caleb stood beside her, not saying a word.

I turned and walked out.

Just then, my phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar number.

"Mr. Zachary Lennox, we've received a report alleging irregularities in your licensed contractor application. You're suspended from all work effective immediately as we carry out an investigation on your credentials."

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned. Cindy was watching me calmly, as if she'd been waiting for me to look back.

"Did you do this?" I asked, my voice slightly trembling.

She didn't deny it. If anything, there was almost a soothing tone to her voice.

She said, "Consider it a lesson. I want you to calm down. If you bring up breaking up again, things won't end this easily."

She stopped in front of me and went on, "I hope you'll understand. The company didn't get to where it is today because of you alone. You may take work here very seriously, but the company… doesn't necessarily need you."

For a moment, I couldn't hear anything else.

Five years ago, when she'd said I was all that she had, there had been a light in her eyes.

Back then, I was full of reckless determination. I believed that if we just held on a little longer, we'd eventually have everything we wanted.

And now, we did have everything.

But somewhere along the way, she'd forgotten how we'd gotten here.