Chapter 4

Rowan was undeniably talented. He’d been pursuing entrepreneurship since his first year in college.

Rachel and I had helped him.

To stay by Rowan’s side at all times, I didn’t care about positioning or prestige. I was content to be the quiet assistant behind the scenes. The pay was less than my scholarship, but I worked harder than anyone else.

Just because I had good grades, I was left to handle all the major partnerships. I always picked up the extra work—efficiently, thoroughly—without needing to be told.

Now, I sneered and said, “Rowan, you and I are about to get engaged. She's openly disrespecting me. Are you really not going to say anything? Besides, writing proposals isn’t even my job. I used to help out of goodwill, but I have every right to stop now. Who does she think she is, ordering me around?”

I said all this on purpose—to test my place in Rowan’s heart.

Sure enough, he didn’t even hesitate before choosing the other side.

“Didn’t you say we’d already broken up? If you won’t do the proposal, then don’t come back to the company.”

Over the past four years, Rowan had stood up for me countless times, but ever since Sophie returned, he didn’t even bother pretending anymore.

I gave a cold smile, nodded, and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll leave right now.”

I walked around them and headed straight for the bedroom. Pulling out my dusty suitcase, I started throwing my things into it.

Rowan followed and stared at me darkly. “Madison, are you done yet?”

Before I could answer, Rachel rushed in and tried to snatch my things. “Do you have no shame, Madison? You barged into a man’s bedroom after breaking up with him? Get out!”

As we struggled, the couple’s mug fell and shattered. My heart clenched as I crouched to pick up the shards.

Rowan watched my bleeding hand without a flicker of concern. “It’s just a broken cup. Madison, your little stunts to get my attention are getting pathetic.”

I laughed bitterly, my voice trembling. “You made that yourself for our first anniversary. Do you really not care that it’s smashed?”

“Haha, Madison, you act like you’ve never seen anything nice. That piece of junk? Rowan told me to buy it just to humor you. Only trash like you would treasure something like that,” Rachel scoffed.

“Rachel, this has nothing to do with you. You don’t get to judge us!” I snapped.

“Apologize to her!” Rowan snapped at me, suddenly playing the knight in shining armor when it was about someone that he truly cared about.

Staring into his indifferent eyes, I felt a wave of exhaustion. I said nothing more and continued silently packing the rest of my things. I just wanted to get out of this suffocating place.

Feeling triumphant, Rachel grabbed at the luggage again. “Rowan bought these. Leave them and get out.”

“Let go!” I screamed.

In the scuffle, she pulled out a photo from one of the compartments. “What’s this junk?”

My heart nearly stopped. I lunged forward desperately. “Give it back!”

Sensing how flustered I was, Rachel smirked and ripped it up, scattering the pieces into the air. “There. No need to act like a mad dog.”

Trembling, I dropped to the floor to pick up the torn pieces. My voice shook as I turned to Rowan, eyes burning. “You knew this photo was the only memento my parents left me. Why didn’t you stop her?”

“So what?” Rowan replied coolly. “I did it on purpose. You needed to learn a lesson. Maybe then you’d stop acting like the world revolves around you.”

Staring at the stranger in front of me, I realized—four years of love had been nothing but a joke.

I said nothing more. I grabbed my suitcase and walked out.

“Madison! This is your last warning! If you walk out that door, we’re done for good!” Rowan roared behind me.

I slammed the door shut, cutting off his voice completely.

They could have that hellhole. I was done.