I went to prison for my husband’s company for three years. The day I was released, he gave his mistress a one-million-dollar bonus—and handed me a one-dollar check. He said it was for the company’s image. Our marriage had to stay secret. I couldn’t ride in his car, couldn’t acknowledge him at work, and could only call him “Boss.” The department manager position he once promised me was given to her instead. At a charity gala, he even allowed her to frame me for stealing a three-million-dollar diamond ring. So I signed the divorce papers and walked straight into the arms of his most hated rival. By the time he begged me to come back, I no longer needed him. I spent three years in prison to protect my husband Alexander’s company. The day I was released, the company held its grand opening. As Alexander’s wife, I stood beside him at the ceremony and received a bonus envelope. Inside was a single dollar. At first, I thought there had been a mistake. Then I noticed the woman next to me—Chloe, Alexander’s assistant. She opened her envelope as well. It also contained one dollar. Relieved, I told myself it must be a symbolic gesture for the opening. I pushed the doubt aside and stayed with Alexander until the ceremony ended. That night, I was scrolling through social media when I saw Chloe’s post on Instagram. She had uploaded a photo of a check. “Congrats on the grand opening, boss! One million dollars—so generous!” The comments were filled with congratulations and teasing. Everyone was praising her and hinting at her special relationship with “the boss.” I went to Alexander for an explanation. Instead of denying it, he distanced himself from me at once. “You just got out of prison,” he said calmly. “It’s not appropriate to make our relationship public right now. For the company’s sake, our marriage stays secret. At work, just call me ‘Boss.’” A moment later, he liked Chloe’s post. I wiped away my tears, took out the one-dollar bill, and dialed his business rival. “I’ll come work for you.” There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. “You were willing to go to prison for Alexander’s company,” he said. “And now you want to leave? Didn’t he promise you the department manager position when you got out?” I stared at the dollar in my hand and let out a bitter laugh. “Mm, I don’t want it anymore.” Just as I said that, Alexander suddenly appeared in front of me, asking suspiciously: “What don’t you want?” I calmly hung up the phone and told the truth: “The department manager position.” Hearing this, a flash of relief crossed the man’s complex expression. “Good. I was planning to give it to Chloe anyway. You can start as a clerk for now.” Hearing these words, I couldn’t help but frown. Back then, I endured three years behind bars for Alexander’s company. He had repeatedly promised me that when I got out, the position would be mine and mine alone. Who would have thought that in the end, I’d become nothing more than a lowly office worker. At this moment, Alexander was breaking the promise he made three years ago with his own mouth. But I couldn’t see a hint of guilt in his eyes. My eyes burned as an unstoppable pain flooded my heart. Seeing I didn’t respond, Alexander took out a contract from his briefcase and tossed it on the coffee table. He said nonchalantly: “This is a secret marriage agreement, for the sake of the company.” The words “Secret Marriage Agreement” stung my eyes badly. Three years ago, the day before I went to prison, Alexander and I got our marriage certificate. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of a happy married life after my release. But now, I had become something he was ashamed to mention. He even wanted me to disappear without a trace. I laughed bitterly to myself, picked up the pen without a second thought. Alexander suddenly turned his head, frowning as he watched me about to sign. She who once couldn’t wait to announce this marriage to the world, how could she suddenly be so decisive? He instinctively grabbed my wrist, his words puzzling: “You’re not even going to think about it?” I didn’t even look up, signing immediately. Getting the secret marriage agreement as he wished, he fell oddly silent for a moment. After a while, he cleared his throat, his voice turning gentle: “Olivia, don’t worry. Once the company stabilizes, I’ll definitely make it up to you properly.” I responded with a noncommittal “mm”, just as the company WhatsApp group lit up. Chloe had become the company’s first department manager, with all the employees offering congratulations. “You’ve been by the boss’s side these past three years, we’ve all seen it. This position is well-deserved!” “I think Chloe will be the boss’s wife soon, right? We’ll have to get on your good side from now on.” Immediately after, Chloe sent a shy emoji, tacitly accepting everything. “I still think Olivia is luckier. She went to prison for three years and can still be a clerk at the company. The boss really spoils her!” Knowing the truth, she was clearly mocking me. I struggled to look away from the screen, inadvertently catching Alexander staring at his phone. The smile on his lips was a tenderness I had never seen before. It made me wonder. Was his secret marriage to me really for the company, or was it for Chloe?
To fulfill the secret marriage contract, Alexander moved from the master bedroom to the guest room. Besides that, he also made it crystal clear: I wasn’t allowed to ride in the same car as him. I couldn’t talk to him at the company, only call him boss. And his relationship with Chloe was just an act, I wasn’t allowed to make a fuss about it. After explaining everything, Alexander disappeared for three days. It wasn’t until I took a day off work with a fever that he bothered to call me: “You’ve only been working a few days and you’re already taking time off. Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?” “You’ll have to go to the hospital yourself. I’m still on a business trip, I can’t take you.” An expected result. I mumbled a vague “mm”. But just as I finished speaking, a coquettish female voice came through the phone: “Alexander, my zipper’s stuck! Come help me quick!” Although Alexander quickly hung up, I still heard the sound of his hurried footsteps. Looking at Chloe’s Instagram again, she had already changed her profile picture. It matched Alexander’s as a couple. I remembered when we were dating, I always pestered him to use matching profile pictures. But he always had countless reasons to refuse me: Too much trouble, childish, tasteless… I don’t know what came over him, but he started frantically texting and calling me. I only replied once: “This is my rest time, please understand, boss.” After finishing the IV drip, I returned to the company. My coworkers were as cold to me as ever, piling work on my desk. In their minds, I was probably just a lucky ex-con taken in by the boss. I should naturally take on more. I adjusted my mood and packed all the couple items from the storage cabinet into a black garbage bag. If I had known they would never see the light of day, I wouldn’t have worked so hard to bring them to the office. I was about to go throw them away when Alexander unexpectedly returned. Before I could react, he angrily dragged me all the way to the stairwell. Seeing the garbage bag in my hand, the man’s face darkened: “You have time to clean up garbage but not to return my calls?” The strong perfume on him made me take a step back involuntarily as I said calmly: “I replied to your message.” Hearing this, Alexander seemed to catch fire, demanding: “Why did you call me ‘boss’ on the phone?” What’s the difference between on the phone and in person? He was the one who told me to, so why was he upset when I did? Seeing I had no intention of explaining, he let out a cold laugh: “You know I don’t like willful women. You’d better not turn into someone I hate.” As he spoke, he snatched the bag from my hand and hurled it to the ground with all his might. Amid the thunderous crash echoing through the stairwell, he strode away. Looking at the shattered photos and couple mugs, my heart trembled. Just like our years of feelings would ultimately be broken to pieces. I cleaned up the fragments and called a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. After getting the document, I printed a copy in the copy room. Just as I had mentally prepared myself and was about to knock, Alexander opened the door first. Meeting his icy gaze, I calmly handed over the document: “Sign it when you have time.” But Alexander didn’t even look at it, flipping straight to the last page to sign. Then he handed it back casually, instructing: “Come out with me to a charity gala later. Be smart and remember to help block the drinks.” I was puzzled – Alexander could usually hold his liquor well, why did he need me to block drinks? Before I could ask, Chloe bounced out from behind him: “Boss is so thoughtful! You even remembered I have a cold and can’t drink!”
Chloe sat next to Alexander wrapped in a blanket, her head resting directly on his shoulder. Seeing me, she frowned and complained: “The boss is just overreacting. It’s only a cold, but he won’t let me drink or go to work. If I hadn’t begged him, he wouldn’t even bring me to this charity event.” Hearing her say this, Alexander fondly tapped her nose. “I don’t care what you say. Just don’t cry when it’s time to take your medicine.” The two people before me were clearly a couple in love. His gentle humor was also a side of him I found unfamiliar. Clutching the divorce agreement in my hand, I felt oddly relieved. Arriving at the event venue, Alexander exchanged pleasantries with the sponsors and prominent guests for a while. Then he stepped back and began introducing everyone. “This is Chloe, our company’s department manager.” When introducing me, one of the main donors frowned slightly. “I remember clearly, this young lady went to prison for owing money. Mr. Smith, you really are loyal to old friends.” Alexander tensed up, glancing at me before laughing it off in agreement. During the networking portion, Alexander and Chloe’s seats were pressed close together. He kept giving me looks, telling me to proactively help block drinks for Chloe. At the table, someone noticed their intimate gestures and couldn’t help teasing: “Mr. Smith and Miss Chloe look so well-matched. I wonder if the boss is married?” As soon as the words fell, Alexander looked at me, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. The next second, we said in unison: “No.” Even though we gave the same answer, he abruptly turned his head to stare at me in shock. It wasn’t until the guests went to the restroom that he messaged me: “It’s all just an act, don’t take it to heart.” Alexander said it was acting, but I was telling the truth. After all, he had already signed the divorce agreement. I glanced at the message and flipped my phone face down. Seeing this, Alexander was about to get up and come over, but I turned and went to the restroom. Coming out of the stall, I ran into Chloe. She stood with her arms crossed, clearly with a victorious attitude. “Olivia, you’re truly pathetic as a woman. To be so despised by your husband – if it were me, I definitely wouldn’t have the face to show myself in public.” I washed my hands nonchalantly, saying coolly: “That’s not for Miss Chloe to worry about.” Drying my hands, I prepared to leave. But Chloe darted in front of me, looking me up and down. “How can the boss’s wife still wear such rags?” “Oh I forgot, Alexander must have spent all the money buying me haute couture. Sorry about that.” The expensive brands she wore seemed to constantly remind me of the difference between 1 and 1 million. In an instant, the bitterness that had built up in my heart exploded, and I fled in a panic. Back in the private lounge, I picked up my bag to leave. Alexander hurriedly came over to stop me, his tone gentle: “Don’t go yet, I’ll take you home later.” I was about to refuse when Chloe suddenly burst in crying. Instantly attracting everyone’s attention. Alexander immediately let go of me and ran over to ask what had happened. Chloe was frantically rummaging through her bag and all her pockets. Then she cried out in dismay: “My custom diamond ring is missing!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, everyone in the room started looking for Chloe’s ring. While searching, she kept muttering: “This was a birthday gift from Mr. Smith, worth over $3 million. I can’t bear to lose it!” Though I didn’t know what game she was playing, I just wanted to leave immediately. But just as I reached the door, Chloe blocked me. “Olivia, let me check your bag. Otherwise you won’t be able to clear your name.” Whether or not I stole her ring, I knew the truth. “I’m tired. Miss Chloe can look for it herself.” Seeing I was determined to leave, Chloe actually grabbed my bag directly. In the struggle, the contents of my bag spilled all over the floor. And among the scattered items, there was indeed a sparkling large diamond ring. I stared at the ring in shock, suddenly meeting Chloe’s provocative gaze. “Why are you framing me?” Turning around, I found everyone looking at me with contempt. Especially Alexander, who frowned with disgust in his eyes. I instinctively tried to explain to him: “I didn’t take this!” But my explanation seemed so feeble in the face of the glaring “evidence”. Next, Chloe picked up the ring and started crying even harder. “This ring means so much to me. How could Olivia steal it?” “I thought Olivia had reformed in prison, but I never expected she’d still do anything for money. I don’t dare work with her anymore…” Chloe’s words made everyone’s expressions turn ugly. The lead donor spoke up first, breaking the awkward silence: “Mr. Smith, let’s call off this sponsorship discussion!” With that, he stormed out of the room with his people. I wanted to chase after them to explain, but was met with a solid slap from Alexander. Meeting my incredulous gaze, there wasn’t a hint of regret in his eyes. “I never thought you’d be the type to see money and lose your mind!” “I brought you out, not for you to steal things!” Alexander’s words completely convicted me. Didn’t he know what kind of person I was? Had he also forgotten why I went to prison? Seeing the anger in his eyes, I knew he would never believe me. I could only laugh bitterly and hand him my phone. “Then call the police.” He looked down at the phone, then frowned at me again, still not moving. The long stare seemed to let me see through the man before me. After a while, Alexander snorted coldly, “Ridiculous!” He turned around, helped Chloe put on the diamond ring, and gently coaxed her to leave. In the room, only I remained, along with the mess on the floor. I picked up my scattered belongings and headed straight for the airport without hesitation. In the late night waiting area. I was about to draft a resignation letter when I received a dismissal notice from Alexander first. His words were filled with anger: “Don’t come to the company anymore. Stay home and reflect on yourself!” Seeing his absurd demands, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Without thinking, I sent him a photo of the signed divorce agreement. Along with the text: “Alexander, I wish you and Chloe a hundred years of happiness and growing old together!” “But first you need to get our divorce certificate, otherwise I’ll report you for bigamy.” After I sent this, Alexander started frantically calling me like his life depended on it. This is the cutoff point
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