At the annual party, just as my husband was about to announce our relationship, his intern deliberately put up the wrong photos. Instead of our wedding pictures, the screen flashed sweet, intimate shots of him and the intern. I stayed quiet for a moment, then casually stepped aside, giving them the spotlight. I even raised my glass and offered a toast, wishing them a lifetime of happiness. But the intern shattered her glass, her eyes brimming with tears. “Ms. Ashford, you know I’m allergic to alcohol, yet you still pushed me to drink. Are you really wishing me well, or trying to hurt me?” That night, my husband called an emergency meeting. I thought he would have my back, but instead, he tore into me, accusing me of bullying the new hire, questioning my character, and threatening to take away my year-end bonus and commission to make it up to her. The room fell silent, and everyone stared at me. I just smiled calmly and said, “Wow, with a sense of humor like that, it’s a shame you’re not on stage.”
The moment I finished speaking, Callum Huxley’s expression darkened. Without warning, he grabbed a pen from the table and threw it at me. I didn’t move quickly enough, and the sharp tip grazed my right cheek, leaving a long, painful cut. Gasps filled the room. Elowen Marlowe, the intern, looked at me with concern, though a hint of satisfaction flickered in her eyes. I endured the pain, lifting my gaze to Callum, but he simply glanced at me before turning his attention elsewhere. His voice was cold, his words cutting. “Sylvie, you’ve been making trouble for the new hire. Take this as a lesson and don’t do it again.” I almost laughed. He had a real talent for twisting things around. Earlier, when he called the emergency meeting, I’d held on to a small hope that he would defend me. Instead, it was clear this meeting was only to pacify Elowen. Callum’s words hung in the air, and soon, I felt eyes on me, sympathy from some, judgment from others. One of my colleagues, someone who had always been supportive, spoke up, “Mr. Huxley, Elowen doesn’t even have an alcohol allergy. At the last department gathering, she drank more than anyone else…” Before she could finish, Callum slammed his hand on the table, cutting her off. He turned to look at me, his expression cold and unwavering. “Ellie isn’t lying. You’ve been targeting her, rallying people against her. Anyone who defends Sylvie can forget about their bonus.” The room went silent. Elowen, ever the actress, managed a small, knowing smile before speaking, her voice sweet and innocent. “Callum, don’t blame Sylvie. I’m sure she’s just upset because you gave me her project. If I had known it would upset her this much, I wouldn’t have taken it. Sylvie, if you feel that strongly about it, I’ll give it back to you. And as for my mother’s medical bill, I’ll find a way to handle it.” I felt a pang of frustration. Not long ago, Callum had taken pity on Elowen, thinking her struggles in the city alone were too much to bear. He’d handed over a project I had already put most of the work into, leaving her to finish what was easy. I’d objected, but he called me heartless. “Ellie has a sick mother and needs support. Can’t you be a little more understanding? And besides, you’re the one who hired her. You should be looking out for her.” It was settled, and though I’d been reluctant, I’d eventually given in to avoid further conflict. Now, here was Elowen, pretending to offer the project back with a smile, but it was obvious she had no intention of following through. And Callum, as always, bought into it. He fixed me with an icy gaze, his voice sharp as he spoke, “It’s just a few projects. Do you really have to be this petty? How can someone so selfish even work here? You’re more than capable. Why make a big deal out of it? You don’t need these projects, but for Ellie, they’re her mother’s medical bills. Can’t you show some compassion?” I couldn’t help but feel the sting of his words. “I’m capable, yes. But that doesn’t mean you can just use me however you like. Elowen’s problems aren’t mine to solve. Why should I be the one to pay for them?” At my words, Callum’s brow furrowed, and his tone turned icy. “Sylvie, after all this time, is money all you care about? When did you become so… cold? So ruthless?” I stared at him, the words feeling like they came from a stranger. He used to say my practicality was charming, and that I had the instincts of an entrepreneur. Now, apparently, that very trait was something he despised. It was funny, in a way. When love fades, even your strengths turn into weaknesses. When I stayed quiet, Callum assumed I was agreeing with him. He raised an eyebrow and spoke down to me with that same familiar superiority. “So, you’ve accepted it, huh? Realizing you were wrong? Don’t bring up the project again. This was your fault from the start. Apologize to Ellie, write an apology, and get her to sign off on it. Then we’re done with it.” One of my colleagues, someone I’d always gotten along with, gently tugged at my sleeve and whispered, “Sylvie, just do what Mr. Huxley says. You don’t need to throw away your future over this.” I let out a dry laugh. The whole office thought Callum and Elowen were a couple, but they had no idea that the man constantly giving me grief was my husband of six years, the one I had secretly married. Over the years, Callum had used the company’s growth as an excuse, never wanting to go public about us. I had hoped that the annual meeting would finally bring that moment, but Elowen ruined it. I’d always been good to her. When she couldn’t find a job, I hired her, trained her, and helped her when she needed it. And this was how she repaid me… a backstabber. As I wasn’t responding, Elowen’s eyes started to well up. “Sylvie, why aren’t you saying anything? You really do hate me, don’t you? Fine, I’ll just quit. If I’m such a bother, I’ll leave.” She wiped her tears, sniffling as she turned to walk away. “And for my mom’s medical bills, I’ll just sell my kidney or something…” Callum quickly grabbed her, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face. “Sylvie, are you done yet? Is it not enough to drive Elowen to the edge? Is that what you want?” The sting from the slap was sharp, and the cut on my face that had barely healed was reopened, blood starting to seep through. I held my cheek, glaring at Callum. For years, I’d helped him build this company from scratch. To get investors, I waited outside their offices in a snowstorm, standing out there all night, only to end up with a fever for a week. Back then, Callum had been full of concern, promising that when he made it big, he’d never forget me. Now that he was successful, he was using that power to control me. Callum saw the look in my eyes and, without a hint of remorse, spoke coldly, “What are you staring at? Sylvie, listen carefully. If you keep pushing Ellie, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ll fire you.” I chuckled bitterly. Callum thought I was giving in, and his tone softened. “Alright, apologize to Ellie, and I’ll let it go. We won’t make a big deal out of it.” If this had happened a few years ago, I would have swallowed my pride, and apologized even though I knew it wasn’t right. But not now. I laughed coldly, then slapped him right back across the face. “This one’s for you. As for firing me? I don’t need you to do that. I’ll quit right now.”
“What? You’re quitting?” Callum stood motionless, his gaze hardening, a flicker of irritation passing through his eyes as if he’d forgotten about the slap I’d just delivered. Elowen’s smile stretched wider, but her tone was dripping with insincerity. “Sylvie, don’t take what Callum said to heart. He was just angry. You’re not getting any younger, and with how tough the job market is, if you quit, you won’t find another job like this. I don’t mean to be blunt, but you can’t throw away your future like this.” Her words seemed to strike a nerve, and Callum’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening as if he was trying to keep his frustration in check. “Sylvie, are you really going to make this harder than it needs to be?” I remained composed, my gaze unshaken. “I’m not making things difficult. I’m just being clear. Since I’ve already made my decision, could you return the bonuses and commissions you withheld? If not, I’ll have no choice but to pursue legal action. And about the injury on my face, let’s settle the medical expenses.” Callum’s features twisted with frustration, his eyes narrowing as his patience wore thin. “Sylvie!” I didn’t waste another moment on him. I pulled out my phone, preparing to contact a lawyer. When Callum saw I was serious, he reluctantly transferred the money, his lips curling into a sneer as he did so. His voice, however, still carried the weight of condescension. “Sylvie, how did you become like this? I’m truly disappointed.” In the past, a remark like that would have made me second-guess everything, wondering if I had done something wrong. I would have apologized, begging for forgiveness, and trying to make things right. But now I didn’t care anymore. The money was in my account, and as for Callum, his opinion no longer mattered to me. My feelings for him had long since faded. Callum, still expecting an apology that never came, shot me a look of disbelief, his brows furrowing as he stared at me in frustration. “Sylvie, you’re hopeless!” He stormed off, dragging Elowen behind him, his anger radiating in every step. Once they were far enough away, I contacted HR and submitted my resignation. They approved it online but informed me I needed a physical resignation letter signed by Callum. I printed out the letter, knowing I’d need to get his signature when the opportunity arose. After everything was set, I took a cab home. This time, my decision was final. I was done with Callum. I immediately called my parents and told them everything that had happened. “Mom, Dad, I can’t stay with Callum anymore. I’m moving back home.” They didn’t scold me. Instead, their voices were full of concern and understanding. “Of course, we support you. Your mom and I will be waiting for you.” Their warmth brought a surge of relief, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly at peace. From the start, my parents had warned me about Callum, but I had been too stubborn to listen. Now, I knew they had been right all along. It wasn’t too late to change. I would no longer live for him. From now on, I would live for myself. After hanging up, I quickly bought a ticket to return home. Callum and I had been married for years, but we never officially registered our marriage. Thank goodness we hadn’t, or leaving wouldn’t have been so simple. This time, it was I who turned the page, choosing to close the chapter on him once and for all.
When I arrived home, I quickly packed my things. I had lived here for six years, yet the majority of what I owned could be tucked into a single suitcase. Most of the belongings in the house were Callum’s. He often spoke about how all his money went into the company, leaving us struggling. Over the years, I had cut back on my own needs to buy him expensive gifts, while my clothes, worn and faded, remained long past their prime. Once my things were packed, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the wedding photo hanging on the wall. I took it down and discarded it, along with the trash. After disposing of the trash, I didn’t head home immediately. I made a stop at a jewelry store, planning to sell the ring Callum had given me when he proposed. It felt like the right way to close the chapter on everything we had shared. The saleswoman looked at me with surprise as I handed over the ring. “Are you sure you want to sell it?” This was the ring Callum had saved for two years to buy. He had promised me that once he was more stable, he would replace it with a bigger, more beautiful one. But those promises never materialized. Over the years, I had watched him buy luxury items for others, while I was left with nothing. With a deep breath, I removed the ring and nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.” Just as the associate took the ring, I heard a familiar voice. “Callum, you’ve been so good to me and my mom.” Looking up, I saw Elowen, Callum, and her mother. Callum was busy picking out jewelry for them, his eyes lighting up every time they expressed interest in something. Without hesitation, he had the store pack it all up. The sight made something inside me tighten. I remembered when the company went public, and I had asked Callum for a new ring. He dismissed me, saying I was being materialistic and that we didn’t have the money for it. He promised me he’d buy jewelry for me once the company was stable. But after six years, that promise had never been kept. He had always been stingy with me, yet here he was, freely spending on Elowen and her mother. The realization hit me hard. Money followed love. That much was painfully clear now. And then I watched him allow Elowen’s mother, whose hands were covered in sweat, to touch him without a second thought. My mind drifted to the time my mother came to visit. After spending hours in the kitchen, tired and sweaty, she had asked Callum to pass her a plate. He had looked at her as though she were beneath him, then washed his hands several times as if she had dirtied them. I was snapped from my thoughts by Elowen’s voice, dripping with sarcasm. “Wow, what a coincidence, Sylvie. I didn’t think we’d run into you here. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were following us.” Callum, as usual, took the bait. His gaze hardened, and he glared at me. “Sylvie, what’s your deal now? Are you really stalking us?” I kept my tone calm, my words measured. “I’m not stalking anyone. I’m here to sell jewelry.” He shot me a quick, dismissive glance, not even noticing the ring was gone. Clearly, his attention was elsewhere. “Well, since you’re here, you might as well sign this,” I said, pulling out my resignation letter and pen. He barely looked at the document before signing it, then pulled me aside. “You’re not fooling anyone,” he muttered. “Let me guess. This is your way of making up for everything, right? A gift to win me back? What is it this time? A house? A car?” I realized then that every time we had a falling out, I had always given him something, hoping it would fix things. This time, Callum would be disappointed. What he had just signed wasn’t a gift. It was my resignation letter.
Before I could speak, Elowen’s mom, Sarah Marlowe, moved between us, studying me with a discerning eye. “Who is this?” Elowen immediately jumped in, a smirk on her face. “She’s just someone who runs errands for Callum. She even delivered documents for him earlier.” I could see the disdain flicker in Sarah’s eyes as she looked me over. Her judgment was clear, and yet, Callum said nothing. He stood by, detached, letting them humiliate me without a word of protest. He tugged at my sleeve, lowering his voice. “Elowen’s mom has a weak heart. I promised Elowen I’d play along and act like her boyfriend in front of her. Don’t ruin this for her.” In the past, I would have reacted, raised my voice, argued, or demanded respect. But today, I wasn’t going to waste my energy. I was leaving soon, after all. Just then, Callum’s phone rang. It was his assistant, informing him of a critical meeting that required his immediate attention. He was about to respond, but Elowen grabbed his hand, her tone laced with innocence. “Callum, you promised you’d spend the day with my mom shopping…” I expected Callum to refuse. After all, he’d always placed business first. I recalled a time when I asked him to pick up my mom from the station, and he refused, claiming work was more important. I had to rush back myself. But surprisingly, Callum nodded without hesitation. “Don’t worry. I always keep my promises.” He turned to me, a small, almost condescending smile playing on his lips. “Sylvie, if you cover the meeting for me, I might make it up to you by celebrating our sixth anniversary.” His words hit like a punch to the gut. I remembered our sixth anniversary all too well. He had promised to meet me after work, but I had waited for hours, only to discover he was with Elowen, celebrating her birthday. That incident had led to weeks of silence between us, a wound that never quite healed. The idea that he would now offer to make it up to me felt hollow. Had he made this offer a year ago, I might have eagerly accepted. But now, all I could feel was indifference. “I’m sorry,” I replied, my voice even. “I have other things to do.” Elowen, seizing the moment, spoke up with mock sweetness, “Sylvie, it’s already after hours. What could you possibly have to do? Don’t tell me you just don’t like us. If that’s the case, we’ll leave right away, no trouble.” The tension in the air was palpable. Sarah, sensing something was off, started to show signs of distress. “Wait a second. Didn’t you say she was just running errands for you? Elowen, are you hiding something from me? Are you and Callum really a couple, or is this all a lie?” Callum quickly turned to comfort Sarah, then pulled me aside, his face hardening. “Sylvie, I’ve told you a hundred times. Ellie’s mom can’t handle any stress. Why do you keep pushing it? I thought you were being more understanding, but you’re still being completely unreasonable.” I gave a calm, measured response. “I really do have things to take care of. I need to go home and grab my stuff, and I’ve got a bus to catch…” Callum’s expression grew darker. “So now you’re using leaving as some kind of threat? I’ve been way too soft on you. I promised Ellie and her mom I’d spend the day with them. You have to go in my place, or don’t blame me if I fire you without a second thought.” His strictness had always been the same, even when I was sick and needed time off. But when it came to Elowen, he’d bend over backwards. A single sneeze from her, and he’d give her a week of paid leave without question. He thought I would fold like I always had, but this time, I remained calm, pulling out the resignation letter he had signed earlier and handing it to him. “Callum, even if you’re the CEO, you don’t have the right to order me around. Because just now, you did sign my resignation.” He looked at the letter in shock, finally realizing what he’d just signed. His face went cold. “Are you serious? Is it because I spent time with Ellie and her mom? Or because I spoke up at the meeting? Or maybe because I let Elowen take your spotlight?” He knew exactly where my frustrations lay but chose to feign ignorance. I didn’t have the energy to argue any longer and started to walk away. But as I moved, the store clerk accidentally knocked my ring off the counter, sending it rolling toward Callum. “This is?” Callum bent down, picked it up, and when he saw the familiar engraving and our initials on it, he froze, staring at it. “Sylvie, this is the wedding ring I gave you, isn’t it? You… you sold it?” Before I could respond, my phone rang. I picked it up, but my finger slipped, hitting the speakerphone button instead. My mom’s voice immediately came through the speaker. “Sweetheart, when will you be here? Your dad and I are already on our way to pick you up.” Callum’s expression shifted, panic flashing in his eyes for the briefest moment before it was quickly replaced with a colder, more controlled look. “So this is your plan? Going back home? Sylvie, if you keep acting like this, there’s no way I’m making an official announcement with you.” Every time he wanted something from me, he used the threat of the official announcement to control me. In the past, I had longed for it, always giving in. But now, with my decision made, I no longer cared. I gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, and with a calm voice, I said, “Then we don’t need an official announcement. After all, we never even got the marriage certificate. We were never really a married couple.” “You’re being ridiculous. We’ve been married for six years. How could we not have a marriage certificate? Sylvie, enough with this childish behavior.”
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