All Chapters of Love Is Lost: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

Dad has a stroke and needs money to save his life. I'm left with no choice but to borrow money from my secret CEO boyfriend of five years.Before I can even say anything, he frowns and tells me he's busy. Then, he hurries off to attend his childhood sweetheart's birthday celebration.He only remembers me the following day. "What did you need?"I hold Dad's death certificate and smile wanly at him. "Nothing. I just wanted to tell you that we're over."Light snow drifted from the sky as I asked the man standing next to me in front of the tombstone, "I had an ex-boyfriend of five years. Are you still willing to marry me?""I'm willing." The man wrapped a scarf around my neck, his eyes gentle yet firm. "Sydney, I like you far more than you can imagine."My fingers tightened around my bag, but I didn't shy away from the scarf."Alright, give me five days. We'll get married then."Then, I asked him to leave first so I could have a final moment with Dad.It was the fifth day since Dad had pas

Chapter 2

Esme didn't seem the least bit bothered by my attitude."Understood. I'll relay your message to Ben," she replied swiftly and hung up.Of course, to them, my emotions probably just came across as petty and pathetic.Suppressing the sting in my eyes, I gazed deeply at Dad's tombstone before I hailed a cab back to Benji's villa.It was a snowy day, and the roads were treacherous. By the time I arrived, Benji had already returned from the gala.Under the dim yellow light, he was sprawled lazily on the sofa, eyes half-closed.He no longer exuded the commanding presence he did at the office. Instead, he looked soft and harmless, like a docile puppy.The stark contrast was enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings.Instinctively, I lightened my footsteps and moved closer.Just then, a gentle voice came from the kitchen."Ben, the hangover soup is ready. Want me to feed it to you?"The voice was followed by Esme carrying a bowl of soup out of the kitchen.While her presence didn't su

Chapter 3

The next morning, as I headed out to the company to resign, I immediately noticed Benji's car parked at the entrance. He opened the door and motioned for me to get in."Come on, let's head to work together," he said.I knew this was his way of making up.In the past, I would have happily accepted, even if it meant getting out a block early and walking in heels the rest of the way. But this time, I simply waved my phone at him."No need, I've called a ride.""Are you seriously throwing a tantrum because I asked you to apologize to Esme?"Benji extended his hand again and continued, "Warren Group is preparing to be listed. We need to handle high-level negotiations and elite business circles. Esme is taking care of all that. Can you handle the consequences if you drive her away?"Five years hadn't left much of a mark on Benji physically, but to me, the man standing before me was nothing like the Benji who had once pursued me.We'd met at the company's annual gala. I was a rookie i

Chapter 4

"Sydney, come to my office."Benji's sudden appearance brought tension. He shot me a cold glance before leaving first.I didn't want to go, but Amy gave me a gentle push."Mr. Warren is a reasonable man. You should talk to him, and see if you can get the project back. The deal is about to be signed, and there's a big bonus involved."Amy had been the one to guide me when I first joined the company, and she'd seen all my hard work over the years. That was why she wanted me to try again.Nevertheless, she was wrong about how Benji would react.As soon as the door to the CEO's office closed, Benji began to reprimand me with sarcasm."Sydney, are you really that desperate to marry me? The company is in a critical stage of development. If you're not going to help, at least don't make things worse. Do you know how much our stock will drop if word gets out that I'm marrying a project assistant?"I didn't want to feel hurt as I knew breaking up was inevitable. But when I saw the contem

Chapter 5

Benji strode past me and carefully helped Esme up.He asked worriedly, "Are you okay? Can you still walk? Let me take you to the hospital."Esme leaned weakly into Benji's arms and sniffled. "Ben, please don't be mad at Ms. Carroll. It's my fault. I shouldn't have given that good project to someone else."I shouldn't have advised Ms. Carroll to watch her words either. I was only thinking about the company and you, and I completely ignored her feelings. I deserved to be hit."Benji actually believed her act. He took off his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders, saying, "It's okay. I know you're not that kind of person."Turning around, he cast me a look of indifference and impatience."Sydney, if you didn't understand what I said earlier, let me make it clear again. I was merely joking when I said I'd propose to you once you become project director. I will never marry you. If you cause any more trouble, pack your things and leave the company immediately."So, this was t

Chapter 6

The flight to my hometown, Eastwood, took three hours.As soon as I landed and turned on my phone, I was bombarded with a slew of missed calls and messages, from both coworkers and old friends."Sydney, you're so low-key! If you'd told us you were Mr. Warren's girlfriend, no one would've dared to give you a hard time.""Wow, it was you all along! Mrs. Warren, I'll have to count on your guidance from now on.""Wait, so Esme is the homewrecker?"It turned out that the incident at the staircase had been filmed and spread online. I only just learned how big this had blown up when my phone buzzed again.As I swiped to answer, Benji's furious voice immediately came through."Sydney, I don't care what kind of drama you're trying to stir, but right now, you need to clarify online that you're not my girlfriend!"In the background, I could also hear Esme's sobbing as she added fuel to the fire."Ben, I don't care what people say about me, but several board members' wives have asked me i

Chapter 7

The airport wasn't far from Roscoe's house, and just as I regretted not bringing gifts for his parents, we had already arrived.His mother, Dolly Shaw, eagerly and warmly took my hand."We've been waiting for you for many years, Syd. Don't worry, even though your wedding is quite rushed, we've been preparing for years. Now that you're here, the wedding can happen anytime."They had been preparing for years?Seeing my confusion, Dolly immediately sold out Roscoe."Oh, Syd, you didn't know? He's been in love with you since high school! He told us he won't marry anyone but you. But, you know, he's a bit shy, so it took him years to finally win you over."She then handed me a pair of soft pink house slippers. "Here, this is your favorite color, right?"Feeling the softness beneath my feet, I felt utterly touched.So, this was what it felt like to be valued?I had yearned for this during my five years with Benji but had never received it.I hugged Dolly and said, "I'm really happy

Chapter 8

However, Benji wasn't one to give up easily.That day, I suddenly received a lawyer's letter from Esme."Sydney, if you have any sense, you'll come back and apologize to Ben. Otherwise, get ready to hold your wedding in court."My heart skipped a beat as I thought I must have unknowingly done something terribly wrong.But when I opened the letter, I was stunned to see that the accusation was about me allegedly stealing business secrets, simply because I had hundreds of project plans on my computer."Sydney, the company of the guy you're marrying is a direct competitor of Warren Group. If you don't come back, we have reason to suspect you've stolen trade secrets."I scoffed and dialed Esme's number."Benji, I know you're listening. Isn't this stunt beneath you? Did your precious childhood sweetheart and assistant not tell you? The reason I have hundreds of project plans is that I was the one who negotiated these deals. But each time, I was removed at the last minute."I worked a

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