Chapter 1

I spent months designing the winning collection, but to make her childhood sweetheart happy, my wife let him take the credit.

While the ads blasted his name as the lead designer, the entire office waited to laugh at me.

I didn't cause a scene; I just calmly ripped off my designer badge and tossed it at her feet.

"Since you want him to have the glory, let him do the work. I quit."

Every sketch of that handsome new designer was my blood, sweat, and tears.

Without me, he wouldn't even know how to match the colors on a silk scarf.

1.

I received a text from the Stellar Design Awards committee.

It was an invitation to the gala happening in three days.

Just a second before I opened it, something else caught my eye.

On the massive LED screen of the skyscraper across from my office, a huge poster was scrolling.

"Warmly celebrating our Chief Designer, Nate Guthrie, for winning the Gold Award at the Stellar Design Awards."

Nate Guthrie was my wife Maya Montgomery's childhood best friend.

He was also the one who got away, her forever crush.

My colleagues noticed the screen too, and the atmosphere in the office turned awkward.

I scanned the room with a blank expression, and they quickly looked away, faking focused work.

That collection was the result of my sleepless nights, yet he was wearing my crown.

I stormed toward Maya's office. She was the CEO.

There was no way she didn't know about this.

But my hand froze on the doorknob when I heard voices from inside.

"Maya, you're something else. Letting Nate steal Caleb's award? Aren't you afraid he'll blow up?"

It was Mark, the marketing director, his voice dripping with amusement.

"He wouldn't dare," Maya replied, her voice cold and dismissive.

"Have you seen him lately? If I let him walk onto that stage, people would think our firm is staffed by trolls. Who would buy our clothes then?"

"Haha, true. Caleb looks more like a construction worker than a designer," Mark laughed.

"Nate, on the other hand, has the look. He's a natural model, a walking brand."

My heart sank into a freezing abyss.

Was that all I was to them? An embarrassment?

"But Maya, I heard some heavy hitters from the fashion world are on the panel. This could be a career-making moment."

"Exactly. That's why it's going to Nate. Giving it to Caleb would just be a waste," Maya said.

Mark hesitated. "What if Caleb isn't okay with this?"

Maya sounded annoyed. "He loves me too much. He'll do whatever I say."

"Besides, he wouldn't even be a chief designer if it wasn't for me. Giving him this platform is a charity. He should be grateful."

I stood outside, listening to them talk about me like a puppet.

My dignity meant nothing to her.

I couldn't hold back the rage anymore and kicked the door open.

"Maya Montgomery! Do you even have a conscience?" I roared.

Maya's face went pale. "Caleb? You should learn to knock. You scared me."

Nate was there too. He looked panicked for a split second before putting on a fake, concerned mask.

"Caleb, don't get the wrong idea. Maya did this for the good of the company..."

"The good of the company?" I cut him off, laughing bitterly.

"So you just shamelessly stole my work and let everyone believe it's yours?"

"Caleb, stop it! How dare you talk to Nate like that?" Maya shouted.

"Am I the one acting crazy? Why is Nate's name on my sketches, Maya?"

I pointed at her, my hands shaking with fury.

"Stop yelling!" Maya raised her voice. "He's the face of the firm. It's natural for him to take the credit."

"I pulled all-nighters for those designs! You know that!"

"So what? If you're smart, you'll help with the promo. If not, get out."

I stumbled back, looking at this woman in disbelief.

She was the one who once promised to help me reach my dreams.

"My work belongs to me."

I slammed my badge onto her desk.

"Fine. Since you think Nate is so much better, let him handle the next season. I'm out."

I turned and walked out without looking back.

I went to my desk and started packing my things.

The desk was covered in sketches and fabric samples―my life's work.

"Everyone," Nate's voice rang out, filled with smug pride.

"Dinner is on me tonight! We're celebrating my Gold Award. I expect to see you all there."

"Wow! Nate, you're so talented! Winning such a big prize so young!"

"You're the pride of the firm!"

"Unlike some people who just complain..."

The room was filled with suck-ups, their insults directed at me.

I ignored them and kept packing.

"Caleb, you should come too," Nate said, walking over with a fake smile.

"We're colleagues. Let's not let a little misunderstanding ruin things."

I stood up and glared at him. "You stole my work and call it a misunderstanding?"

Nate's smile stiffened as the office went quiet.

"Don't talk nonsense, Caleb. I worked hard on those designs. How can you say I stole them?"

"Oh yeah? Then tell me, what was the inspiration? What's the secret behind the fabric cut?"

Nate stuttered, unable to find an answer.

"Lost your tongue? Guilt finally hitting you?" I sneered.

"Take a look in the mirror, Nate. You're a fraud. You aren't even in my league."

"You bastard!" Nate snapped and shoved me hard.

I wasn't ready for it. I slammed into the corner of a heavy wooden desk.

A sharp pain shot through my back, making me gasp for air.

I tried to stand, but the pain was paralyzing.

"Stop acting. It was just a tap. You aren't dying," Maya said from the door.

She looked at me with pure disgust.

"I thought you quit. Why are you still here? Looking for a severance check?"

I struggled to get up, my vision blurring.

I saw the hatred in her eyes, and that was when my heart finally died.

"You'll regret this, Maya. I swear it."

"Regret? The only thing I regret is marrying you," Maya laughed.

"Even if you crawl back on your knees, I'll never let you back in this building."

I forced myself to walk out, one painful step at a time.