Chapter 2

2.

That afternoon, I went straight to the HR director’s office at the law firm and handed in my resignation letter.

The director looked up and saw me, her face a mask of surprise.

“Stella, are you really sure about this?”

“You’ve been Jasper’s executive assistant the longest. We all used to say that you’d never leave, even if the firm went under.”

“Why so suddenly…”

She trailed off. I lowered my eyes.

Before yesterday, I would have thought the same thing.

I helped Jasper build this firm from the ground up in Manhattan.

We worked hard together, we fought together.

When we landed our first case, Jasper used the retainer fee to take me to a fancy dinner at the Rainbow Room.

That night, we looked out over the city from high atop Rockefeller Center.

Jasper held me and said he was lucky to have me by his side for the rest of his life.

I gave a weak smile.

“Everyone has their own career path. I’ve already made up my mind.”

The HR director looked at me, her eyes full of regret.

“Well, since you’ve decided, I wish you all the best in the future.”

I thanked her quietly and walked out of the office.

I had just gotten back to my desk when my phone buzzed.

It was an Instagram Story from Chloe.

A picture of Jasper sleeping peacefully in bed.

The caption read: “Drank too much last night, lucky to have someone take care of me. Rewarding him with a little hickey.”

To make sure I saw it, she had set the story to be visible only to him and me, and she’d tagged me.

This wasn’t the first time Chloe had done something like this.

Out of ten of her Instagram posts, three would mention me directly, and the other seven were set to be visible only to me.

In the past, her petty mean-girl tactics would have easily provoked me.

I’d fought with Jasper about it. I’d caused scenes.

And every time, he would brush it off.

“My bond with Chloe is platonic. You wouldn’t understand. You’re my wife, stop being so insecure.”

Jasper was so sure that I loved him, that I would never leave him, so he hurt me without a second thought.

I laughed, though a storm of emotions was still raging inside me.

Suddenly, a colleague next to me gasped.

“Look, the boss’s girlfriend is here.”

I followed her gaze.

Chloe was strutting into Jasper’s office in her Jimmy Choo heels.

Soon, the blinds in his office were drawn, shutting out the world.

I looked down, my mind drifting back to the past.

Back then, Jasper had pushed me against that same desk.

A strange light danced in his eyes as he’d smiled and said:

“Don’t you think this is exciting? Like a secret office romance.”

His sweat dripped onto my skin as he held me, promising softly:

“When we have our official wedding, I’ll announce our relationship in The New York Times.”

I laughed at how pathetic I used to be, falling for a lawyer’s silver tongue again and again.

Twice, to be exact.

But as I felt the divorce agreement and resignation letter in my bag…

There wouldn’t be a next time.