Chapter 2

In the early morning, Chase came home dead drunk.

He was leaning heavily on Chloe. Even when she managed to dump him onto the couch, his hand gripped hers tightly, refusing to let go.

"Chloe, you're not allowed to go out with that guy."

Chloe looked at me with a provocative smile. "Aria, don't overthink this. He's just looking out for me."

It didn't matter anymore.

Over the years, Chase had used every method possible to chase away any guy who tried to get close to Chloe.

At first, I thought it was just a coincidence. But when I finally confronted him about it, he just got irritated and snapped at me.

"Chloe and I are just best friends. Those guys chasing her are all trash. I'm just helping her out. Is there a problem with that?"

"Your own mind is dirty, so you see everything as dirty!"

Pulling myself out of the memory, I looked at Chloe and gave her a flat smile. "I know. I'm not overthinking it."

Whether he was looking out for her or they were soulmates, it had nothing to do with me anymore.

A flash of surprise crossed Chloe's face, and she said awkwardly,

"Well, he's home. I'm leaving."

She had to pull her hand away several times before Chase finally let go.

The winter night was freezing. Looking at Chase's face, I couldn't bring myself to be completely heartless. I grabbed a blanket to cover him.

As I pulled the blanket up, my hand accidentally brushed his waist. He snapped his eyes open, saw it was me, and snarled,

"Get lost! Don't touch me!"

My hand paused. The next second, I pulled the blanket right back off him.

"Accidental touch. No big deal."

With that, I clutched the blanket and turned back into my room.

Chase stunned for a moment, wanting to say something, but ultimately kept his mouth shut.

The next morning, as soon as I arrived at the office, I was notified that Chloe was being parachuted in to replace me for an interview with a top financial tycoon. I was also ordered to hand over all my research to her.

This project was almost finished; only one last interview was left.

I didn't even need to guess to know Chase was behind this.

A cold chill spread through my chest. He knew exactly how much effort I had put into this project, working late into the night in my study.

Yet, he still let Chloe steal my hard work.

Right then, Chase walked in with Chloe.

His very first words were a warning. "Aria, be understanding of Chloe. She finally found a project she likes."

"There are so many people in the company. Don't make things difficult for her. Just hand over the files."

He was so afraid of Chloe feeling awkward that he actually lowered himself to come to my office and demand it.

Yet, he didn't care about my feelings at all, professionally or personally.

I couldn't help but remember the past. Whenever I liked something, as long as Chloe wanted it, Chase would give it to her.

I had begged him not to always favor Chloe, to consider me just a little bit.

But all I ever got in return was his cold reply: "If you don't want to break up, just let her have it."

In the past, every fight ended with me looking pathetic and miserable.

But now, I didn't want to fight anymore.

I didn't care who he favored.

Seeing that I remained silent, Chase's face darkened with anger. He lowered his voice, threatening me.

"Aria, you'd better not make a scene... or else..."

I smiled, interrupting him, and shoved the files I had just organized into Chloe's hands.

"Here. It's just a project."

Both of them froze.

Chase grabbed my wrist, his eyes staring at me dangerously.

"What game are you playing now?"

"Aria, are you mad? Is that why you're acting like this?" Chloe's eyes welled with tears.

She turned to leave. Chase panicked and grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Chloe, I said it's yours, so it's yours."

I let out a cold laugh, seeing right through Chloe's dramatic act, and sneered,

"Chloe, stop acting, okay?"

"The project, and Chase... I'm giving them both..."

...to you.

Before I could finish, Chase's hand slapped hard across my face.

"Who gave you permission to speak to Chloe like that!"

We were surrounded by my coworkers.

Chase didn't care about my dignity. He was only afraid of Chloe being upset.

Time seemed to stop. Seeing the red mark rising on my cheek, a flash of regret and worry crossed Chase's eyes. He stammered, trying to explain,

"I didn't mean to... I didn't want to do that..."

Chloe's crying interrupted him. She sobbed dramatically,

"I don't want the project anymore!"

Chase glanced at me, said nothing more, and chased Chloe out of the office.

I ignored the whispers and mocking remarks from my coworkers, which were even louder than before.

Five days. Just five more days and this would all be over.

Everything they threw at me today, I would pay them back in full.