Chapter 1

I landed a three-hundred-million-dollar investment for the company, and my fiancé finally took me to see our future home.

I thought our eight-year relationship was finally crossing the finish line.

But instead of a real house, he opened a virtual world game on his phone.

"I built every inch of this digital estate myself," he said, eyes glued to the screen. "Once the company goes public, I'll build a real one just like it for you."

Later that day, I saw a post from his secretary.

She was flaunting a luxury villa he had bought her as a Valentine's Day gift.

I forwarded the post directly to him.

"You have money for her house, but only digital bricks for our wedding?" I texted.

His response was dismissive. "Melody is a key asset to the firm. I bought that to motivate the other employees to work as hard as she does!"

In the background of his next voice note, I heard Melody's smug laughter.

"Some people really lack self-awareness," she chirped. "Does she think landing one investment makes her the Queen of the office?"

I bit my lip, suppressing a surge of cold fury.

Without me grinding for those investments, this company wouldn't last a week.

I'm done being his ladder.

1

I messaged our partner company and put the contract signing on hold.

Since Melody Thorne thinks I lack self-awareness, why should I keep doing this thankless job?

Half an hour later, Silas Vance called me, sounding like his hair was on fire.

"Summer, why hasn't the contract been sent yet? Do you have any idea how much we lose if this deal stalls?"

"Get that paperwork over to the office right now!" he barked.

He sounded desperate and entitled. I just let out a cold, hollow laugh.

"Silas, you said I don't know my place. So, I decided my place isn't working for you anymore."

Silas's tone shifted instantly to panic.

"Summer, honey, I was just trying to boost morale. I promise, once we're public, everything I said will come true!"

I was done eating his empty promises.

After years of sacrifice, the tank was empty.

While I stayed silent, I heard Melody's whiny voice in the background.

"Silas, everyone in the group chat is calling me a homewrecker who doesn't deserve her position."

I opened the company Slack. The employees were actually standing up for me.

"Hard work gets you overtime; a sweet mouth gets you a villa," one wrote.

"No skills, just a secretary title and a mansion. I guess I'm just not built for success," another added.

Silas snarled into the phone. "Post a statement and clear this up immediately! This is damaging the company image!"

Silas only hired Melody because she was pretty and knew how to stroke his ego.

He had rejected top-tier Ivy League graduates for a girl who was basically a human pet.

Back then, the HR manager asked me to find out why.

Silas had blamed me for being judgmental.

"Summer, I thought you'd understand. I want to give opportunities to those who struggle to find jobs. Don't be an elitist."

Yet, when HR hired a veteran salesperson with seven years of experience, Silas screamed at them in public.

"This isn't a dumpster for has-beens! Stop hiring every stray dog you find!"

His "equal opportunity" policy only applied to Melody.

Now, he had the nerve to ask me to soothe the masses while ignoring my broken heart.

"Everyone seems to have plenty of self-awareness," I said. "They know they aren't Melody. No explanation needed."

Silas roared, "Summer Monroe, this is an order! Do your job!"

I didn't argue. I just filmed a short video of the three-hundred-million-dollar contract.

I held it right over the opening of the paper shredder.

"Fire Melody, or lose the investment. Your choice."

Thirty minutes later, the company-wide email announced Melody's termination.

I signed the deal and sent it off.

"Silas, remember my boundaries. Don't think for a second that I can't walk away. Try me again, and you'll see the consequences."

Silas didn't reply for a long time.

I knew he was busy coddling his little secretary.

He didn't care that I was dying inside.

We had been together for eight years. I helped him build this empire from a garage.

I gave him my youth and my soul.

I thought this investment would be the final piece for our wedding.

He had even asked my parents for my hand years ago, but they thought he was just a broke dreamer.

Now he was a CEO, but every time I mentioned a wedding date, he had an excuse.

I thought it was the stress of the IPO.

Now I realized his heart had been split in half and handed to a girl he'd known for six months.