After six grueling years, my boyfriend, Brett, and I finally made our startup a success. That also meant I’d passed my parents’ test and was about to become the next heir to the family fortune. Tonight, I planned to introduce him to my parents and make our engagement official. But when I pushed open the office door, I saw a woman with one leg draped over his. She wore an ultra-short, body-hugging skirt. As her leg lifted, her red underwear was on full display. I froze on the spot. Brett didn’t even twitch. “Chloe sprained her ankle with me seeing clients today. I’m just rubbing it for her.” “You guys carry on.” I turned and walked away, remembering how my parents had never approved of Brett. Guess I wouldn’t have to convince them to accept him anymore. My friends used to joke about never coming home early from a business trip, saying you might find an “unexpected surprise.” I never thought it would become my reality. Back home, a beautifully wrapped gift box sat on the table. Even the vase was overflowing with fresh flowers. I thought Brett knew I was back early and planned a surprise birthday celebration. I carefully opened the box. A diamond ring lay quietly inside. Any lingering unpleasantness vanished. Damn it, how could I ever doubt Brett? Ten years of history—how could he possibly betray me? Humming a little tune, I busied myself in the kitchen. After preparing a romantic dinner, I took a hot shower and waited for Brett to return. Soon, I heard voices outside the door. “What gift did you get me?” “You’ll find out soon.” Brett appeared before me, with Chloe by his side. They paused when they saw me, then quickly composed themselves. “Chloe just landed a major project for the company. It’s her birthday today, and as her boss, I felt I should show my appreciation.” Brett spoke without a trace of remorse. I looked around, realizing I was the fool. I’d thought all this was for me. No wonder the roses weren’t my favorite yellow, but red. This place was never meant for me. “Mr. Brett, maybe I should leave. Aria doesn’t look too happy.” “Besides, Aria just got back. I shouldn’t interrupt your time together.” “There’s no ‘time together’ for us.” Brett chuckled. “Besides, Aria isn’t as petty as you think.” He looked at me. “Chloe is my subordinate at the office, but at home, she’s a guest. Aria, go get her a glass of water.” I stood up and started walking out. As I passed Brett, I couldn’t help but speak. “I’m not so ‘generous’ that I can ignore the lipstick stain on your face.” “Mr. Brett, you should really go after Aria. Don’t let me come between you two.” “If only she were half as understanding as you.” “Forget about her. Come see the surprise I prepared for you.” The door couldn’t block their conversation. I stood outside, tears streaming down my face. Brett, I trusted you so much… Clutching my chest, I sank to the floor, my breathing growing difficult. The door opened. Brett stood over me, looking down. “Come inside if you want an explanation.”
He turned and went back in, leaving the door ajar. His explanations meant nothing when weighed against what employees had already seen. I got up and left, arranging to meet a colleague from the company. “It’s not that I meant to keep it from you, Aria. It’s just… I didn’t know how to tell you.” “Just go to Chloe’s office; you’ll see.” Chloe had joined the company less than a year ago, but Brett had fast-tracked her promotion to department head, giving her a private office. On her desk sat a photo, next to an album. In the photo, Brett had his arm gently around her waist. Brett and I had an identical photo. Even the angle was exactly the same. I opened the album; Brett was in every single picture. Each photo brought back memories. The backgrounds were places Brett and I had been to together. He had taken Chloe on a tour of *our* shared history. “Aria…” “These photos are my personal belongings, you…” Unaware, dawn had broken. Chloe walked in, speaking, and I snapped back to reality. I stared at her. She didn’t dare continue, just lowered her head, looking tearful and wronged. Cheater? Playing the victim? Shouldn’t *I* be the one feeling wronged? “Are you resigning, or am I firing you?” Chloe cried and left. Soon, her savior arrived. “What’s with the scene?” Brett’s voice was ice cold. He was right. What was I doing? What right did I have to make a scene now that I was no longer loved? I stood to walk out, but Brett grabbed my arm, his tone softening slightly. “Chloe and I are nothing. Just a boss-subordinate relationship.” I stared at his face. “She does like me, that’s true. I invited her to my place yesterday to have a serious talk with her.” “As for those photos, you can take them to any expert. They’re clearly doctored.” “Stop this, Aria. Her talent is exceptional; she’s a real asset. That’s why I didn’t want to hurt her by rejecting her outright.” “Besides, you know her background. She’s Mr. Sterling’s daughter, not someone I just arbitrarily promoted.” She was the CEO’s daughter. And who was I? I looked at Brett. “You’re only ‘taking care’ of her because of her special background?” “That’s why you put her name on the project I worked on for half a year?” “Is that what you call her ‘merit’?” Brett’s expression soured. “You always said we should give new talent a chance. This is just making up for when we didn’t have any help starting out. She reminds me a lot of you back then, that’s why I wanted to help her.” “You know me, Aria. Don’t be so dramatic, okay?” I *used* to know him. But now, I didn’t. Years can change a lot. He was becoming a stranger. If he thought I was being dramatic, then I’d be dramatic just this once. “Fire her, or I leave the company. Choose one.” “You haven’t been yourself lately. If you want to take a break, take one. Think of it as preparing for marriage and kids.” “Aria, I only love you.” “Believe me or don’t, it’s your call.” Brett let go of me and turned to leave. I clutched my phone, staring at the dozens of missed calls. They were from my mom. I was supposed to take Brett to a party last night. I didn’t know how to explain any of this to my family. A leg massage, a lipstick mark, an elaborate ‘birthday’ surprise, and those photos—they weren’t solid proof they’d slept together. But my gut wrenched. This was a boundary crossed, a line I couldn’t accept. If I just introduced him to my parents, if he knew my *real* background, would he finally cut ties with Chloe? I hated the thought of him bowing and scraping for power. I fell for the Brett who always stood tall against anything. Maybe I *was* mistaken? He’d never bent the knee to any powerful person before. Even if he *thought* Chloe was the CEO’s daughter, he wouldn’t actually *submit* to her. I looked at the photos. Were they really doctored? BANG! The office door burst open. Brett stormed back in, his face dark. He’d never been angry with me before, but now, his eyes practically burned holes through me. I stared at him, wanting to know what had happened.
“What did you say to Chloe?” “Why did she suddenly quit, out of the blue?” “Now the whole company is buzzing about us. You show up, she quits—what’s everyone going to think of *me*?” “What do you take me for?” “There was nothing going on, but you making a scene like this will make everyone think Chloe and I really *are* together.” “Go apologize to Chloe right now and get her to stay with the company.” I looked at him. “Even if there’s nothing going on, I’m not comfortable with her in the company. Can’t you just let her go, for my sake?” Brett softened his tone, trying to rein himself in. “If a girl’s career was ruined because she liked me, do you think that’s fair?” “I’ve already rejected her clearly.” “Because I love you, I won’t stand by and watch you do something so selfish.” “If you still care about me, go get her back. I promise I’ll keep my distance from her after that.” “We’re getting married soon, stop this, okay?” “Just cool down for a bit. I know you’ll make the right choice.” Brett left. I went downstairs to the coffee shop and met Chloe. She dropped her demure act, her eyes challenging me. “Looks like Brett made his choice. He couldn’t bear to let me leave.” As she spoke, she gently stroked the diamond ring on her left ring finger—the same style I’d seen yesterday, the one I thought Brett had bought for *me*. Now, it was on Chloe’s hand. I’d lost this competition. I’d been so naive, believing Brett only cared about me, thinking Chloe was just harassing him. I’d even specifically arranged to meet Chloe, wanting to have a serious talk with her. In the end, I was just the fool. “I wish you both happiness.” Chloe frowned, watching my retreating back. “I thought she’d make a scene. That way, we could really make a splash and let the whole company know Brett and I are together.” “How boring.” She pouted, then also stood up and left. Silently, I went upstairs and packed my things. Brett had chosen her, so I’d leave. Half an hour later, I wandered aimlessly through the familiar city, suddenly not knowing where to go. I passed the small restaurant Brett and I used to frequent, the river where we had our dates. This city held too many memories of us. Before, they were beautiful. Now, they were sharp knives, piercing my heart. What did I do wrong? To let a ten-year relationship just… fizzle out? Or was it that after losing my youth, I simply couldn’t compete with youth itself? I wanted to get completely drunk, then bid farewell to the past. Late at night, I unconsciously found myself in front of an old building. It was dilapidated but the rent was cheap. Brett and I lived here when we first started out. The space was tiny, but it overflowed with our happiness. After we made money, we bought the apartment to remember our humble beginnings. Whenever we were tired, we’d come here to rest, reminiscing about our sweet past. I didn’t know why I was here, maybe I was drunk, maybe I was just yearning for what used to be. When I opened the door, someone was already in the cramped space. Brett was on top of Chloe. He’d brought her back to the sacred place of our memories
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