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Home / Romance Short Story / Your Company, Not My Life / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Your Company, Not My Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

12 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Yara, Mr. Cromwell needs this proposal ASAP. Sorry to bug you, but finish it before you head out."Molly Leach, Derrick's assistant, dropped a fat stack of papers on my desk, all chipper like we were besties.I took them. "Got it."She wasn't done. Still smiling, she threw in, "Mr. Cromwell and I have a client meeting later. Just leave the docs on his desk. Oh—and tidy up his office before you go."Then she strutted off like she owned the floor, heels clicking, mood sky-high.Around me, the office fell quiet. My coworkers shot me that awkward look—half pity, half helpless.Everyone knew Derrick Cromwell, CEO of Vantrel Corp, was my fiancé. Everyone also knew he blatantly played favorites, and Molly was his number one.He'd yanked her from another firm, made her director, then handed her a million-dollar project I'd busted two months bringing in and prepping.When I pushed back, he called a team vote, thinking everyone would back him.Wrong. The whole team voted for me—except

Chapter 2

Derrick said I was being petty. Then, like it proved some point, he used it as an excuse to "make it official" and moved Molly to work directly under him.The more upset I got, the harder he leaned in—dragging her to every social event, serving her food, even wiping her mouth at company dinners.When we fought, he'd ice me out. When I apologized, he'd round up his buddies to lecture me like I was some jealous mess.For a while, I actually blamed myself. Thought maybe I wasn't generous enough. Thought maybe that's why we ended up here.But on day three of one of his silent treatments—when I was too sick to even sit up and he still packed his bags for a trip with Molly—I gave up.That's when it hit me: he wasn't trying to be noble. He just used my "pettiness" as a shield so he could keep doing what he wanted without feeling guilty.Even if I hadn't caught those late-night chats, he would've just found another excuse to be with her.After their latest business trip, they were still

Chapter 3

Not long ago, Derrick and Molly turned a business trip into a vacation. While they were off playing house, I slipped in my resignation. Derrick was too distracted to notice—he approved it without even reading.Three more days.Once the handover's done, I'm out.I paused, then called Prof. Harrington, my old research supervisor, now overseas at a top institute.Back when I graduated, I landed a high-tier spot there straight out the gate. But Derrick said he needed help starting his company, and like an idiot, I dropped everything and ran back to Arlencia. Prof. Harrington told me not to. I didn't listen.Looking back now... yeah, I was dumb.Feelings? They shift. Career? That never stabs you in the back.When the call went through, I explained why I was reaching out. I braced for a lecture. Instead, Prof. Harrington sighed."I already heard... was thinking about asking you to come back. But this time... are you actually sure?""I'm sure. The resignation's done.""Resignation?

Chapter 4

I asked, "Did you need something?"Back then, I used to light up when Derrick dropped by just to chat. Not this time. He froze like he didn't expect me to be so blunt.His face shifted—awkward, like he'd stepped in something. "Yeah, actually. Molly just wrapped up a big project, so I'm thinking of promoting her. Should give the team a boost. What do you think?"He looked straight at me.Sure, he said he wanted my opinion, but we both knew that wasn't true.I just nodded. "I don't mind."Then he added, "But rewards should come with penalties too. You haven't finished a project in a while, so I'm thinking of moving you to a lower-level position. Just for now."Once things calm down, I'll bring you back. Don't worry—it's for the greater good. You're my fiancée, so you'll support me, right?"I laughed—silently, in my head.He still had no clue I'd already quit.He could read Molly like a book—knew her mood from a glance, remembered every little thing she liked. But his own fiancé

Chapter 5

I called him out—I had to. Like he saw it coming, he slapped down proof they were just talking business, then turned it on me, calling me jealous and dramatic. To punish me for "overthinking," he started bringing Molly over like it was nothing.She didn't even try to hide the way she looked at me—like she wanted a fight.Thing is, they never technically crossed a line.After a while, I started questioning myself. Every day felt like a loop of, 'What if it's just me?'Honestly, if I'd put that energy into literally anything else, I'd be way ahead by now.***The next morning, Derrick proudly announced Molly's big promotion—right after dropping me to the bottom rung.He hesitated at first, but once I stayed chill and acted like it didn't faze me, he bought it. Thought I'd accepted everything.He was riding high. So was I.While he threw Molly a fancy banquet, I was getting my visa approved.While they chilled at an amusement park, I was packing. One suitcase—that's all I needed

Chapter 6

Nothing I said would've changed a thing."Mr. Cromwell, don't be upset. I'm sure Yara just got a little emotional because she cares," Molly cooed, running a hand down his back like she owned the place.Then she turned to me, all fake-sweet. "Yara, don't get the wrong idea. I just had a headache, and Mr. Cromwell was helping me relax so I could keep working. Everything we do is for the company—you really don't need to overthink it."I didn't know the full story, but I could feel it—this whole setup had Molly's fingerprints all over it.Sandy, always the diplomatic one, knew better than to speak up. Molly was Derrick's favorite, and she wasn't about to get caught in the crossfire.Not that it mattered. Even if she told the truth, Derrick wouldn't have listened.I kept quiet, but he wasn't finished. Still pissed, he snapped, "No need to explain anything to her. Personal matters stay personal. This is a workplace—we follow the rules. Since Yara broke protocol, cancel her bonus this m

Chapter 7

Derrick stiffened.Molly's eyes lit up, a smug smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. She wiped it off fast, but I caught it.She put on her sweet voice. "Yara, that's a bit much. After all, you two—""Enough, Molly. Wait outside," Derrick cut in, voice flat.She swallowed her words, threw in some fake-soft line about staying calm, then strutted off downstairs like she'd won.As soon as she was gone, Derrick's glare snapped back to me. "You're out of line. I already agreed to marry you—what more do you want?"Take back what you said. I'm not signing that resignation. Tear it up, and I'll act like none of this happened."The confidence in his voice was almost funny.Sad, even.I knew exactly how he got like this—and I had no one to blame but myself.This was just another rerun. Derrick always gave me an out, and I always took it—played along like we still had something real.I thought keeping the peace would save what was left. But all it did was teach him he could keep

Chapter 8

This time, I didn't freeze up or blow up. I just pulled out my phone."Cool. Then you can explain that to the police."***I hadn't come to pick a fight—but I was ready if he started one.The second I actually dialed the emergency number, Derrick panicked. He lunged over, yanked the phone from my hand, and hung up. "Yara, are you crazy?""I'm not. I just wanna see if the law agrees with you."He wasn't used to this version of me—calm, firm, not backing down. And it rattled him.His mouth tightened. "Alright, enough. I know you're mad about Molly. Starting tomorrow, I won't see her alone anymore, okay? And the wedding—I'll book it. Right now."He pulled out his phone. "I've been looking at this wedding planning company. I was gonna talk to you about it after the trip. Look."He held out his screen, showing some chat with customer service.I glanced at it.Yeah, he'd actually been planning a wedding.But one message popped out—he'd asked if they offered blue-themed dresses an

Chapter 9

Over time, Derrick's interests shifted like weather.But I only got more obsessed with my research.Even during my years at Vantrel, stuck doing stuff totally unrelated to robotics, I kept up with it on the side. So jumping back in felt easy.Derrick kept messaging me—like he still thought I'd cave. Still throwing me chances to come back.I ignored them all.Then he sent some photos—Molly's reassignment notice.He wrote: [I looked into it. I didn't approve your resignation—Molly processed it by mistake. She didn't realize it was from you. I've transferred her to logistics. She'll never touch company operations again. You've made your point. Isn't it time to stop?]Not long after, Molly also sent me a long, dramatic apology.At first glance, it looked sincere.But it was an acrostic—each line spelled out subtle digs at me. Petty, obvious stuff.No doubt Derrick told her to send it. Probably didn't even read it before forwarding it along.Back then, even the smallest thing I s

Chapter 10

"Yara, you really got me this time. You should be proud—this is the first time I've ever compromised for a woman. You think I had patience for Molly? Not even a tenth of what I had for you—"He was gearing up to brag again, same old Derrick.I cut him off. "You misunderstood."I picked up the document next to me and held it up to the camera."I immigrated. I'm not coming back."***When I hung up, he just sat there—stunned. Like his brain hadn't caught up yet.The ring box slipped from his hand and hit the floor.But I knew better.He'd catch up soon enough. He always did.He should've seen this coming the second he chose Molly—and turned my life into a nightmare.This time, his theatrics didn't shake me. I left the call behind and threw myself back into research.Maybe he finally got the message, because he stopped trying to win me back.Instead, he went full public with Molly—traveling, showing off, livestreaming their so-called "love."Felt like I was watching two tota

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