Chapter 3

3.

Midnight rolled around, and Melanie still wasn't home.

I didn't call her. I didn't text to ask if she needed a ride.

I was almost asleep when she stumbled in, smelling of expensive wine and gin.

She ripped the covers off me. "I need ginger tea. Get up and make it."

Suddenly, her phone rang. Zion's voice filled the room.

"Melanie, did you get home okay？ I had so much fun tonight. Thank you. Did Silas get mad that you stayed out late？ I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have made you stay for my birthday dinner."

Melanie's face softened into a look of pure adoration.

"Don't thank me, honey. It was your birthday. You deserved to be happy."

They flirted for a few more seconds before hanging up.

When she turned back to me, her face froze.

She finally remembered I was right there. A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes.

"It was Zion's birthday. He's all alone in this city, so I felt bad and took him out. Don't get the wrong idea."

I remembered my own birthday a few months ago.

I had called her, hoping she'd come home for a nice dinner.

She told me, "It's just a birthday, Silas. Grow up. Stop being so clingy."

I knew then that she treated Zion with the love she used to give me. I just hadn't wanted to believe it.

"Silas？ Say something."

I looked at her, my heart feeling like lead.

"I get it. Birthdays are important," I said calmly.

She looked surprised by my lack of reaction.

"Good. He's just my assistant, okay？ He's a young kid in a big city. I'm just looking out for him."

"Sure," I replied. "I'm tired. I want to sleep."

Melanie's brow furrowed. "So, no tea？"

I used to jump out of bed to make her anything she wanted, no matter how late it was.

I pulled the covers back up. "The honey is in the cabinet. Make it yourself."

She looked stunned and annoyed, but she didn't say anything.

A few minutes later, I heard the shower running.

I checked my phone. Zion had just posted again.

"Best birthday ever. Thank you for the gift, Melanie."

The first photo was of their hands intertwined.

The second was a vintage Patek Philippe watch.

I knew that watch. I had been looking for that exact model for two years.

A month ago, it sold at an auction for a ridiculous price.

I never imagined Melanie was the one who bought it.

The next morning at the office, my assistant pulled me aside.

"Silas, have you heard？ Zion Hayes is being promoted to General Manager today."

I froze.

When we started this company, Melanie and I had a plan.

She was the CEO, and I was supposed to be the GM.

But once the company took off, she told me we needed to keep our personal and professional lives separate.

She blocked my promotion, claiming it would look like favoritism.

And now, she was giving my job to her boy toy.

I looked at the stack of documents on my desk. Two needed her signature.

I slipped my resignation letter right in the middle of the pile and headed to her office.

As I reached the door, I heard Zion's muffled voice inside.

"Melanie, you're so good to me…"

I didn't want to hear the rest. I knocked loudly.

After a few seconds of shuffling, Melanie told me to come in.

Zion was sitting on the edge of her desk, looking smug.

I didn't even look at him. I handed the folder to Melanie.

"Sign these."

She didn't even read them. She just scribbled her name on everything.