Chapter 4

The smile on Austin's face vanished instantly. "Just because of a bracelet? Elena, when did you become so incredibly petty?"

"Yes, just because of a bracelet."

Chloe immediately started frantically trying to pull the bracelet off.

"Elena, please don't be mad. I'm taking it off right now. You two have been together for nine years, you can't let it ruin your relationship because of me."

She pulled so hard that her wrist turned bright red, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Austin grabbed her hand to stop her. "Why are you taking it off? You did nothing wrong."

"Chloe is still recovering. Do you have to humiliate her in front of everyone, Elena?"

I couldn't stand being there for another second. I turned and walked out.

Behind me, whispers echoed through the hall.

"She has such a terrible temper."

"Exactly. Men sometimes play around, she should just turn a blind eye."

Chloe spoke in a worried voice, "Austin, go after her. Elena is acting out of anger, what if something happens to her?"

Austin sneered. "We've been together for nine years. She's a thirty-year-old woman. Who else is going to take her in if not me?"

He raised his voice so I could hear him. "If some people want to play hard to get, then our wedding date will just have to be pushed back even further."

The wedding boutique manager sent me a photo of the dress to confirm.

[Ms. Elena, the deposit is non-refundable. You came in so many times for this. Are you sure you don't want it anymore?]

I stared at the screen for a long time.

I had tried on seventeen wedding dresses in that shop all by myself.

Every single photo I sent to Austin was met with a cold, automated reply: [Busy. You decide.]

It turned out that one person's expectation could never carry a future meant for two.

[Cancel it,] I replied.

The next morning, I went to work. A transfer notice was sitting on my desk.

[Given Elena's recent poor performance, she is being transferred to the administrative support team.]

Right after, an announcement was posted in the company group chat: Chloe had been promoted to Senior Account Manager.

Along with that, the project proposal I had spent seven sleepless nights and fifteen drafts perfecting now bore Chloe's name as the lead.

At the very bottom of the document, the approver's signature was Austin's.

I called Austin immediately.

"Saw the notice? I was just about to call you," he said.

"Austin, why is Chloe's name on my proposal?"

He chuckled softly. "You embarrassed Chloe at Grandma's birthday party yesterday. She cried all night because of you."

"Giving her this project is to comfort her, and also to give you a little lesson."

Chloe's congested voice came through the speaker. "Elena, if you're unhappy about this, I can give the promotion back to you."

Austin cut her off. "Why would you give it back? She brought this on herself."

"Elena, as long as you behave and apologize to Chloe, the wedding is still on."

"I'll make sure you get the next promotion slot."

I found it incredibly absurd.

He was using my hard work to please another woman.

I simply said, "Okay."

After hanging up, I submitted my resignation and clicked "accept" on an international job offer in Paris.