Chapter 2

2 Gwen finally looked up from Leo's arms and saw me. Her face, still flushed from wine and shyness, immediately twisted into a frown.

She looked at me as if I were a curse. "Gideon? What the hell are you doing here? I told you to stay at the office and finish the new pitch."

She still seemed to crave the warmth of Leo's embrace. She didn't even try to move away from him.

"Since you're here, I might as well tell you," she said coldly. "We won. Tomorrow is the official ceremony, and Leo is going up to accept the award."

"You just got to California. Go find a tourist spot and enjoy yourself." Her words were colder than the rain that had just drenched me.

A week ago, we received the invitation to the Global Game Awards. It was the hall of fame I had dreamed of my entire career.

But Gwen had denied my travel request. She told me to stay behind and slave away on the next project while they enjoyed the trip.

I had practically begged her on my knees, but she didn't care. She had walked straight into Leo's office instead.

She had handed him my heart and soul―the pitch I'd spent years perfecting. She told him, "Only a star producer like you can get the investors on board. This is yours now."

She knew I had poured everything into that work. It was the culmination of my life's passion.

Yet, she tossed it to Leo without a second thought. She just wanted to polish his fake reputation as a genius creator.

I had pulled countless all-nighters and researched for months. Now, it was a Leo York Original.

This wasn't the first time. Gwen constantly ignored my effort, my dreams, and my love. My heart was turning into ice, inch by inch.

Leo spoke up then, acting all humble and fake. "Gwen, maybe this isn't right. Gideon wrote the pitch, after all."

"I've taken so many of his ideas. Even if I polished them, the core was his. He's the Lead Designer. He should take the stage."

Gwen looked at him with such tenderness. "Don't be like that, Leo. You're the Director. Everyone knows those ideas only became great after you touched them."

"You're the one with real talent. Don't be modest!" Then she turned to me, her voice turning sharp.

"Gideon, what are you besides a title on a piece of paper? Any intern could come up with your ideas."

"If you want something, earn it. This company didn't get big because of you. It got big because of Leo's vision!"

She spoke to me as if I were a parasite living off her charity. She had clearly forgotten that I wasn't just some trophy husband.

This company reached this scale because of the games I built, one by one. Not a single one had ever lost money.

But the moment we were big enough to handle a AAA title, she brought Leo in. He used my pitches and my team, but his name went on the credits as the Director.

He had no real skill. He was a special hire because of their history. He didn't know the first thing about game design.

And now, she wanted him to steal my moment on the world stage? The few employees I'd hired personally looked down in shame, but the rest were just waiting for a show.

I watched them leaning into each other and took a step forward. They expected me to blow up or hit someone.

A few of Leo's cronies already had their phones out, ready to record my downfall. Leo pulled Gwen closer into his arms.

"Don't be scared, Gwen. I'll protect you," he said. It sounded so practiced, so heroic.

I reached into my jacket and pulled out the ID badge I hadn't had time to leave at the office. I slammed it into Leo's chest.

"Why stop at the award? From now on, you're the Lead Designer. I quit."