Chapter 3

3.

I went to work and handed in my resignation.

If I was leaving, I was leaving for good.

I had only taken this job at the investment bank to be with Elias, to have more time with him.

But at the office, he kept our marriage a secret, claiming it violated company policy. He deliberately kept his distance. When he needed a subordinate to accompany him on a business trip, he never chose me. During board meetings, he acted as if I were invisible. Even when I successfully led a major project on my own, I never received a word of praise from him.

His coldness made my colleagues think he had something against me, or that I had somehow offended him.

The Head of HR was one of the few people at the company who knew about our relationship.

“You’re leaving?”

“Didn’t Elias say he was just temporarily moving you to the Compliance Department? He didn’t say anything about you resigning…”

I froze.

“Temporarily moving me?”

The HR director looked uncomfortable, her eyes filled with pity.

“Elias cited a conflict of interest and had you transferred to Compliance at the same level. Then he brought in an external strategic consultant to take over your business line. He arranged it all himself.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I heard my own voice tremble.

“Is that consultant… named Selena?”

“Yes, that’s her name.”

I felt my knees go weak, and I had to grab my desk to steady myself.

Even though I was already leaving, the news hit me like a punch to the gut.

At work, Elias had never given me any special treatment. I had climbed to the director position through my own hard work. And just like that, he could push me aside, bring her in to take my place.

That evening was the company’s anniversary gala.

I decided to attend one last time before my resignation became official. I had earned my year-end bonus, and I was going to get it.

In front of everyone, Elias stood on stage and publicly introduced Selena as the new strategic consultant, telling everyone to give her their full support.

Someone whispered nearby:

“Oh my god, is that the same cold-hearted Elias we know?”

I stood in the crowd, clapping along.

Elias’s gaze flickered in my direction, as if he were trying to gauge my reaction.

The next second, Selena, standing beside him in her Jimmy Choo heels, stumbled. He immediately turned to steady her.