Chapter 2

2

Three days after leaving, my phone finally went quiet.

Xander didn't send any more messages. There were no updates on "Project Aether" in the company group chat.

I guessed he had realized that without me, that project couldn't move forward.

Usually, if we fought, I would be the one to cave within two hours. I'd find some excuse to make up with him.

But this time, I hadn't even replied to a single text.

He was finally realizing that this time was different.

At 8:00 PM, I was sitting on my sofa reviewing Core Tech's documents when the doorbell rang.

I frowned and went to open it.

Xander was standing outside in a sharp suit, but there was an air of exhaustion around his eyes.

He looked at me, his voice cold. "Why haven't you been answering my calls?"

I leaned against the doorframe, making no move to let him in.

"Is there a reason I should?"

His brow furrowed. He wasn't used to this attitude from me.

"There's a problem with Project Aether. I need you to come back and handle it."

I laughed. "Mr. Sterling, I've resigned. Company matters have nothing to do with me."

His face darkened.

"Avery, there's a limit to being difficult! The project is stalled. The whole team is waiting for you!"

I shrugged. "Then solve it yourselves."

He stared at me. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it with his usual arrogance.

"What is it going to take to get you back?"

"Back?" I arched an eyebrow. "Back to being your invisible girlfriend? Back to watching you flirt with Bella?"

He bit his lip, his voice softening a bit.

"Avery, there's really nothing between me and Bella. I just…"

"Just what?" I interrupted. "Just thought she was young and had potential? Just thought she was more fun than me?"

He choked on his words, unable to answer.

I turned back to the living room, grabbed my new ID badge from the coffee table, and showed it to him.

"I've already started at Core Tech. I begin officially tomorrow."

His eyes widened. He snatched the badge, staring at the rival company's logo in disbelief.

"Core Tech?! They are our biggest competitors!"

"Avery, have you lost your mind? Just because you're throwing a tantrum, you join the enemy?"

I looked at him calmly.

"It's not a tantrum. They offered better compensation."

"Compensation?" He sneered. "How much are they paying you? I'll double it! Quit right now and come back!"

I shook my head. "Too late."

He glared at me, his chest heaving.

"Is all this over an intern? You're so jealous it's pathetic. Have some dignity!"

Looking at his nasty expression, I vaguely remembered the way he looked when he first asked me out.

We promised to walk through life together. But in five years, everything had changed.

I took a deep breath and finally said what had been weighing on my heart.

"Xander, let's break up."

The moment the words left my mouth, his face turned white.

He stared at me, his lips trembling. He clearly couldn't believe I was the one saying it.

"You… what did you say?"

"I said, we're breaking up." My voice was so calm it surprised even me. "Five years. I'm tired."

His fingers clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"Is this because I let Bella take over the project? Avery, since when did you become so small-minded?"

I chuckled. "You think it's just about that?"

"What else could it be?!"

He suddenly raised his voice, a hint of desperation leaking through.

"Is it because I didn't go public at the gala? Because I'm close to Bella? Avery, grow up!"

I watched him quietly. I watched his eyes turn red with agitation.

Even now, he still thought I was just being difficult.

"Xander, do you remember last Wednesday night?"

He blinked. "What about it?"

"You said you had to work late and told me not to wait. But that night, I had internal bleeding and was in the hospital until 2:00 AM."

His pupils contracted.

"You… you didn't tell me…"

"What would have been the point?" I smiled faintly. "You were with Bella meeting a client. You looked very happy in the photos you posted on your feed."

He swayed as if he'd been hit in the head.

"You… you saw those?"

"It wasn't just that time. On my birthday last month, you had a last-minute emergency. Three months ago, when my parents visited, you were too busy. Six months ago, when I mentioned marriage, you told me to wait…"

"I can explain!" He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip almost bruising. "There were reasons! The client Bella was with was crucial for the company. I had to―"

"Enough."

I gently shook off his hand. I didn't want to hear another excuse.

"Xander, just admit it. In your heart, I haven't been the priority for a long time."

His eyes welled up. "That's not true… Avery, give me one more chance…"

It was the first time in five years I'd seen him surrender.

But it was too late.

"Core Tech offered me triple my salary and stock options."

He stared at the ID badge and suddenly laughed. It was a sound more painful than a sob.

"So it's about the money? Avery, I never thought you were that kind of person!"

"Yes, I'm that kind of person. After all, in five years, I haven't even received a decent dress from you."

His expression froze.

I think he finally remembered that dress he bought for Bella, which she then gave away to someone else because she didn't like it. I had seen it.

His voice cracked.

"I… I can go buy you one right now…"

"No thanks." I pulled the door open. "Please leave, Mr. Sterling. I have work tomorrow."

He stood there, motionless.

I looked at his perfectly styled hair and his immaculate suit.

I remembered the boy five years ago who would bring me late-night snacks and take time off just to look after me when I had a cold.

That boy was long gone.

"Avery…" His voice was barely a whisper. "What if… what if I fire Bella?"

I paused.

I didn't expect a man as proud as him to say such a thing.

I thought about it, but eventually shook my head.

"It's not necessary. Our problem was never just about Bella."

His tears finally fell, hitting the floor one by one.

It was the first time I had ever seen him cry for me.

But after a moment, he looked up.

Even with tears on his face, he wore that cold mask again.

"You think Core Tech actually values you? They are just using you to get to me!"

I nodded. "Maybe. But so what? At least they are willing to give me the respect and pay I deserve."

He stumbled back a step.

"You'll regret this… Avery, you'll definitely regret this…"

"I'll be waiting for that day. But for now, please leave."

I showed him out of my house.

When the door closed, I heard muffled sobbing from the hallway.

The sound faded as the elevator dinged.

I leaned against the door and slowly slid to the floor.

My phone screen lit up, showing an old photo of Xander and me.

After a moment of hesitation, I deleted every photo of us.

Since I decided to let go, I wasn't going to keep a single memory.