Chapter 3

3

Staring at the torn documents on the floor, Brett froze in utter shock.

Even Paige was stunned speechless.

It took her several seconds to recover before she shrieked at me.

"Luke! Have you lost your damn mind?"

"I usually let your petty jealousy toward Brett slide!"

"Now you're throwing a tantrum and threatening to quit just because I asked you to run a simple errand?!"

I looked at her with pure indifference and scoffed.

"Stop flattering yourself. Why would I be jealous of a useless parasite?"

"And stop barking orders at me."

"I quit. You have no right to yell at me anymore!"

Paige's face turned crimson with rage.

She tried to say something, but I turned around and walked away without looking back.

I headed straight to my office to pack my personal belongings.

I didn't want to spend another second breathing the same air as those two.

When I opened the desk drawer, my hand paused over a small velvet box.

Inside was a custom diamond engagement ring.

I had planned to propose to Paige tonight after securing this big win.

Now, it seemed entirely pointless.

There was a time when Paige wasn't this cold and selfish.

Back then, she was vibrant and full of hope, shining like warm sunlight in my life.

No matter how brutal the startup struggle was, she stood by my side.

In the dead of winter, waiting outside in sub-zero winds for clients, she never complained once.

Instead, after closing a deal, she would happily split a cheap takeout meal with me.

Later, as the business took off, I transferred most of the equity to her name to make up for the hard years, making her the CEO.

Yet she forgot our promises and grew increasingly unreasonable and entitled.

She even brought Brett, her college sweetheart, into the firm, openly rekindling their past.

I let out a heavy sigh.

Perhaps I should have realized long ago that she never truly got over Brett.

Her heart was never fully mine; it had all been my own foolish wishful thinking.

As I picked up my box, Paige's sharp voice rang out from the doorway.

"Oh? Weren't you acting all tough, talking about quitting?"

"What's wrong? Regretting it now? Realized you were in the wrong?"

I turned around and saw Paige and Brett standing behind me, drawing the curious gazes of the entire office.

Brett tugged on Paige's sleeve, pretending to plead for me.

"Paige, Luke definitely knows he messed up. Look, he's even holding a ring box."

"He must have bought it as a surprise to propose to you!"

Seeing the velvet box in my hand, Paige was taken aback for a moment before clearing her throat with smug satisfaction.

"Hmph. No wonder you were acting so crazy today. You wanted to propose."

"Seeing how much effort you put into this, I suppose I'll do you the favor of saying yes…"

Paige extended her left hand, expecting me to slide the ring onto her finger.

Frowning, I tossed the velvet box straight into the trash can next to my desk.

"Propose to you?"

"You're flattering yourself a little too much!"