Chapter 2

Chapter 2 The response was instant.

The notoriously cold-blooded Julian Gu, who had a Golden Retriever as his profile picture, sent back an adorable, eager emoji.

"Are you serious?"

"I'm holding you to that. Stay put―I'm coming to get you tomorrow."

I replied with a simple "good" and leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes.

I had left everything behind in the capital to follow Silas here, playing the part of the perfect, supportive partner for seven years. I was finally ready to stop torturing myself.

My parents were among the most elite in the capital, and their marriage was the stuff of legends. Growing up, I wanted that―a man who loved me wholeheartedly.

That was why I hid my identity when I met Silas. I was captivated by him, and I refused to let go.

My mother had asked me time and again, "Are you really going to walk away from everything for a man like him?"

I had just smiled and nodded.

"Mom, I really love him. He's the first person who loved me without knowing who I really was. Once we're married, I'll bring him home to meet you, okay?"

Mom had sighed, her expression complex, but she eventually let me go.

I had truly intended to introduce him to my network after the wedding, to help him climb the corporate ladder.

What a waste of time that turned out to be.

I dried my eyes, drove home, and started packing.

The house was deathly silent. I turned on the bedroom lights, but the space felt cavernous and empty.

Seven years. It was finally over.

I took a deep breath and started gathering my personal belongings.

The jewelry, designer clothes, and luxury car keys he'd given me? I left them all behind.

I wouldn't need his charity once I was home. Keeping them would only make my skin crawl.

After a hot shower, I checked my phone and saw Farrow's latest post.

"I knew you couldn't forget me."

The photo showed her soaking wet, clinging to Silas by the pool. Their reflections showed them sharing a kiss.

The comments were filled with people congratulating her on "winning."

She replied to one of them, "Don't be silly, we aren't back together. He's supposed to be getting married."

Others mocked me, saying that since I failed ninety-nine times, it was clearly a sign from God that I didn't belong in high society.

Another comment called me his little pet bird, suggesting it was an honor enough just to be mentioned in the same breath as Silas.

They weren't wrong. I never revealed who I was.

In their eyes, I was just some girl from a humble, rural background.

No matter how many deals I closed or resources I secured for Silas as his secretary, they never saw me as their equal.

I took a deep breath and texted Silas.

"We're done. It's over."

"I've packed my things and will be leaving. I'll be at the office tomorrow to hand over my remaining tasks."

He replied almost immediately.

"Can you stop being so dramatic while I'm busy?"

"We'll talk about this tomorrow."

His voice note was rushed, and in the background, I could hear a woman's breathy laughter.

"Come on, Silas, hurry up…"

I didn't need to be a genius to know exactly what they were doing.

I'd thrown tantrums before, but the first time I asked for a breakup, he would have dropped everything, begging me not to leave.

He would have taken me on a trip, putting a pearl necklace on me under a sky full of fireworks.

"I know I haven't been good enough, but I promise it won't happen again."

But after enough times, he stopped taking my threats seriously.

And frankly, I stopped giving a damn about his promises.

A wave of annoyance washed over me.

I tossed my phone aside and didn't look back.