Chapter 1

On the seventh anniversary of building the company from scratch with Julian Vance, we finally went public.

But on that very day, he couldn't wait to make his relationship with his dream girl Instagram-official.

And he blocked me from seeing the post.

The comment section instantly blew up.

"Audrey Sterling gave up a lucrative corporate job to build this company with you from the ground up. Now that it’s went public, you’re throwing her to the wolves?"

Julian replied, cold and impatient.

"They say beggars can't be choosers. Back then, I didn't have a choice."

"After seven years with her, I’m only more certain of one thing: if I marry, it must be for love."

A mutual friend tried to talk some sense into him.

"Audrey is the one running almost all the daily operations right now. What are you going to do if she quits?"

Julian hesitated for a second, then doubled down.

"She’s just a secretary. I can grab anyone off the street to do her job. The company doesn't need her."

He didn't know that on the other side of the screen, I was logged into his shared account, watching him type every single word.

I drained my iced Americano in one gulp.

Then, I booked a one-way flight home, departing in three days.

Half of my resignation letter was still spitting out of the printer when my office door was pushed open.

Julian walked in. He threw a file onto my desk and ordered,

"Audrey, redo this report."

He didn't even look at me. His head was bent over his phone, a soft, faint smile playing on his lips.

I recognized that smile.

Back in college, whenever he got a letter from Chloe Bennett, he had that exact look on his face.

It had been seven years. I had almost forgotten that he was capable of looking so gentle.

It was just never for me.

"Mr. Vance," I said, my voice completely flat. "This report was already approved by the finance department yesterday."

He finally looked up, his brows knitting together. "I said redo it. Do you have a problem with that?"

I lowered my eyes, my fingers unconsciously rubbing the barrel of my fountain pen.

It was a birthday gift he had bought me during my first year at the company. It wasn't a luxury brand, but he had picked it out himself.

"Fine. I’ll have it on your desk tomorrow."

"I need it before you leave today." He turned to go, then paused as if remembering something.

"By the way, order a box of liquor chocolates. Make sure they’re imported from Belgium. I need them for a gift."

My heart sank a little. "A client?"

"Are you jealous, Audrey?" He arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Relax, it’s for a client."

"If you like them, order a box for yourself too. Put it on the company card."

"No, thank you. I'm cutting back on sugar lately." I replied quietly, typing the request into my notes.

Satisfied, he turned and walked out. The sharp click of his leather shoes faded down the hallway.

Outside the window, the colorful banners from the IPO celebration hadn't even been fully cleared yet.

Just yesterday, we were clinking glasses, celebrating the biggest victory of our seven-year journey.

I thought it was the beginning of our new life together.

I never expected it to be the end of my one-sided devotion.

At 4:00 PM, I sent the revised report to Julian’s email.

At 5:30 PM, I packed up and left the office right on time.

As I passed his office, I saw him through the half-open door, adjusting his tie in front of the mirror.

A bouquet of fresh white roses sat on his desk.

They were in half-bloom, looking just as eager and full of anticipation as his face did at that moment.

Marcus, the young assistant, crept over and whispered, "Audrey, is Mr. Vance dating someone?"

I curved my lips slightly. "Just focus on your work."

In the elevator, I stared at the reflection of the thirty-year-old woman in the steel doors.

The spark in my eyes had died out long ago, replaced by day after day of sheer exhaustion.

When Julian first started the company, I invested every penny of my savings.

At our lowest point, I didn't even have a hundred dollars to my name.

When the two of us were crammed into a tiny, ten-square-foot office eating instant noodles, he had looked into my eyes and said seriously,

"Audrey, we will make it. Once we make it big, I’ll pay you a salary way better than that corporate job."

I believed him.

Not because of how much money he promised, but because I believed that one day, he would finally see me standing right behind him.

Seven years later, the company was worth billions. But he no longer needed me.

My phone rang. It was Julian.

"Audrey, cancel tomorrow morning's meeting. I have some personal business to take care of."

I already knew, but I asked anyway, "Do you need me to arrange a car?"

"No, I’ll drive myself to pick up Chloe."

Chloe. He said her name so naturally.

"Alright. Is there anything else I need to prepare?"

"No, you..." He paused. "Go home and get some rest."

Before he hung up, I heard Chloe’s voice in the background. "Julian, who’s calling you this late?"

"Just the secretary. Giving her some instructions."

Secretary.

With just one word, he drew a clear line between us.