Chapter 2

2.

When I got home, the client who had supposedly "traumatized" Jessica called me.

The truth was, the client had questioned Jessica's design for suspected plagiarism. Instead of responding professionally, she claimed his questions triggered her "anxiety" and implied it was workplace harassment.

When Alex arrived, without asking a single question, he terminated their contract and threatened to sue the client for "disregarding a designer's mental health."

The client had come to our firm because of my reputation. Now, with his own reputation smeared, he naturally wanted an explanation from me.

Just as I finished placating the client, I saw Jessica had posted a new Instagram Story.

"Someone is willing to fight the whole world for me. I'll wait for him forever. ????"

The picture was a silhouette of two people kissing in a dimly lit hotel room. The location tag was Soho House Chicago.

I sarcastically liked the post. It disappeared a few seconds later.

Alex didn't come home until midnight.

He seemed surprised to find the apartment dark. Fumbling for the light switch, he saw me sitting on the couch. There wasn't an ounce of guilt in his expression, only accusation.

"Why are you sitting in the dark?"

Before, I would always leave a light on for him, no matter how late it was. Over time, he forgot that lights don't turn themselves on.

Seeing my silence, Alex softened his tone and sat down next to me. "Still mad about the wedding? Listen, it's just a ceremony. A tenth time sounds kind of complete, doesn't it? Don't worry about it."

In the past, I would always melt when he used that dismissive, minimizing tone.

This time, I felt nothing.

His voice finally edged with impatience. "I saw Jess's post. Can you stop being so paranoid? It was just the angle of the photo. And that hotel room... she was having a panic attack because of the client. I just booked her a room to calm down. What did you expect me to do? Leave a colleague in an unstable mental state on the street?"

He sounded so righteous, completely unaware of the Tom Ford "Fucking Fabulous" lipstick stain Jessica had left on his collar.

I looked away, speaking in a business-like tone. "You breached the contract today. According to the terms, we have to pay the client a penalty five times the project fee…"

"So we'll pay it," Alex said without hesitation. "I trained Jess myself, I know her. A client who dares to accuse her of plagiarism isn't worth working with anyway."

Once upon a time, he demanded I endure a client's harassment at a dinner for the sake of a project.

Now, for Jessica, he would destroy the company's reputation without a second thought.

I laughed coldly to myself at the absurdity.

"You can pick a new date for the wedding," he cleared his throat, his tone like he was bestowing a great favor. "I won't go back on my word."

Seeing his arrogant, self-assured expression, I said calmly, "There's no need."

Alex froze. "What does that mean? Claire, I already explained! There's nothing going on between me and Jess. Stop making a scene."

I wasn't interested in arguing. I just pulled out the wedding planning contract we signed three years ago. "The contract is valid for three years. Today is the last day."

Hearing this, Alex suddenly relaxed, his tone becoming light. "Is that all this is about? I thought it was something serious. We can just sign a new one in a few days. The old plans were outdated anyway."

"It's not just the plans that are outdated," I said, looking straight at him. "We are, too."

"Alex, let's break up."

"Break up?" He grabbed my wrist, as if I had personally offended him. "Over a picture? Is that how little you trust me? Claire, you really need therapy. Your emotions are all over the place."

Just then, his phone rang. It was Jessica.

"Alex... I feel so sick... I think I have a fever... Can you come stay with me...? I'm so scared being alone..."

Her sticky-sweet voice made him instinctively lower his own. He cooed a few gentle words to her, then grabbed his jacket and shot me a cold look.

"You're being irrational. We'll talk when you're ready to be reasonable."

"Oh, and by the way," he added from the doorway, his tone now a command, "I'm having Jessica take over the final stages of the Sterling Group project. I want you to hand over all the key files to her tomorrow and let her lead the client meetings from now on. It'll be great experience for her."

I watched him leave in silence, then reached up and turned off the light he'd forgotten.

In two days, I'd be back to the life that was truly mine anyway.