Chapter 2

Seeing me go, Chloe rushed to block my path, feigning distress. "Harper, I know you're an industry expert. You're right, I don't deserve this Head of Tech position. Here, take it back."

She grabbed the ID badge and tried to shove it into my hands.

I simply pushed her away gently, but she stumbled backward, knocking over a chair and sending a computer crashing to the floor, startling everyone.

Chloe got up, brushing off the concerned colleagues with a dismissive wave, saying she was fine.

Julian, disturbed by the commotion, sprinted over.

After making sure Chloe was okay, he glared at me, a frown on his face. "Harper, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're an old employee."

Hearing him, my colleagues, who'd been watching, immediately chimed in.

"That's right, Harper. Change is good for the company. You shouldn't bully new people just because you've been here a long time."

And the worst of it came from Leo, my apprentice, whom I'd personally mentored.

"So what if you've landed a few projects? You think you're the boss now?"

"Are you addicted to forming cliques? You even look down on a genius like Chloe?"

We'd worked together for years. I was the top salesperson. Everyone used to greet me respectfully.

Now, they were all staring at me with schadenfreude, practically wishing me gone.

Whatever. Let them say what they want. I wasn't sticking around to entertain them.

I walked out of the company without a word.

Julian jogged after me. Once we were away from prying eyes, he rubbed his forehead and said, "You've just been too stressed lately. I'll approve some time off for you. Take a break."

"Today is our seven-year anniversary. Wait for me at home, I've got a surprise planned."

Just as he finished speaking, the elevator arrived. I stepped in without saying a word.

Back home, I made myself something to eat. I didn't wait for him specifically, and he didn't come back until it was dark.

I put on my shoes, got ready to meet the client representative, but on my way, I bumped into a colleague.

This guy, somewhat slow on the uptake, hadn't distanced himself from me like the others. He greeted me warmly.

"Harper, are you going to the promotion party Julian is throwing for Chloe? Let's go together, we can split the ride fare!"

He happily mumbled about not having to squeeze onto the subway, but I shook my head. "No."

He looked at me awkwardly. "Julian didn't invite you?"

I nodded curtly and walked away.

I faintly heard him grumbling, "Julian always plays favorites," but I didn't look back.

He didn't play favorites. He just favored Chloe.

He'd do anything for Chloe, and breaking plans with me wasn't new.

Once, when I was hospitalized with pneumonia, he said he'd come visit after his meeting. I waited until dawn, but he only arrived late, claiming he was working late, when in reality, he was with Chloe, watching a movie.

Another time, we'd planned a couple's photoshoot. I waited in my dress until the studio closed, and he showed up leisurely, claiming he was delayed by work, but he was actually taking Chloe shopping for new clothes.

The list of such incidents was endless. Every time I questioned him, he'd act like "work is most important" and scold me. This kind of relationship was exhausting.

At the coffee shop, the client representative looked at the progress report I handed in and exclaimed, "Harper, are you really not considering a jump? I could offer you ten times your salary."

This time, I didn't refuse. The client representative happily told me we could negotiate any terms.

After discussing the benefits package, I returned home. Julian was already sitting on the sofa, waiting for me with takeout.

He'd stood me up again. Usually, he'd offer a million excuses, but this time he said nothing. After a moment of silence, he pushed the container towards me.

"You must be tired today, too. Don't bother cooking. Just heat this up; it's still good."

I glanced down.

Inside the plastic container, various dishes were piled together without any aesthetic appeal—some stir-fried, some boiled, and even a soggy piece of what looked like day-old cake floating in soup.

Clearly, it was just leftovers, haphazardly packed.

He didn't even bother separating them, just crammed them into one big container. The sight alone was nauseating.

I waved him off. "No thanks, I've already eaten."

Julian looked at me deeply. Usually so cold, he now reached out, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"I'm sorry. She just got promoted, and as her boss, I had to acknowledge it somehow."

"I know you felt wronged today. Let's go register our marriage this weekend."

I scoffed internally.

He made it sound so good.

When I was promoted to director, I excitedly offered to host my own promotion party.

But I waited anxiously in the private room, the waiters reheated the food five times, and not a single colleague dared to show up until the restaurant closed.

I sent message after message, but they all went unanswered.

A kind colleague discreetly asked if I'd somehow offended the CEO.

I was baffled at the time, only finding out later.

While I was out of the office, he'd coldly reprimanded every colleague who said they were coming to my party.

"Do you have too little work? Are you just idling around?"

"All you do is think about eating, drinking, and having fun? Is this company paying you wastes to sit around? You might as well just quit!"

The memory made me pull his restless hand from my waist. I spoke coldly.

"No need. Julian, we're done."