Chapter 2

“This video isn’t what you think it is,” Ross said in a low voice. His tone was gentle, but there was a hint of impatience behind it. “I only went along with her for business reasons.”

“The richest guy in the Forrers is planning to invest in a new company. If I can close this deal, we’ll be listed on the market soon. She… She’s just a stepping stone.”

He paused for a moment, softening his tone. “Yes, Zamora is my ex, but we ended things a long time ago. It’s been eight years since we last spoke. I don’t have any feelings for her anymore.”

“I only got close to her because her birthday party is coming up next week, and the richest guy will be there. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. Once I get the contract signed, I’ll dump her publicly, okay, babe?”

I stayed silent for a long time before whispering, barely audible, “And me? What about me? These past few days… What does that make me? Your other woman? Or your ex?”

Ross froze, his brows knitting slightly, as if my words had cut him.

He gripped my hand tightly, his voice panicked. “Don’t say that. How could we ever break up? It’s just a week. That’s only seven days, babe. Just hang on a little longer, okay? You’ve always been the most understanding. Once the company goes public, I’ll give you the grandest wedding.”

I smiled, my tears slipping down.

Understanding.

He always praised me for being understanding, patient, considerate, and quiet.

But I was really exhausted.

I didn’t want to be “understanding” anymore.

“Alright,” I said softly. “I understand.”

He smiled, reaching out to wipe my tears. His voice was tender, like an echo of a dream. “I knew you wouldn’t blame me.”

He lit the candles on the cake. “Come on, babe, let’s make a wish together. Once we blow them out, it’ll be our ninth year. This year, we’re finally getting married.”

Our ninth year?

I stared at the flickering candles, not blowing them out.

Just as he was about to urge me, his phone rang. He picked it up instinctively.

“Ross… I twisted my ankle… It hurts so bad… Can you come pick me up? I’m alone by the roadside, and there are some creepy strangers watching me. I’m really scared.”

Zamora’s delicate voice came through the speaker, carrying a familiar intimacy.

Ross’s expression changed instantly. He stood up in a hurry. “How could you be so careless? Don’t be scared. I’m coming right now.”

He blew out the candles, kissed my cheek, and said quickly, “Babe, I’ll just be gone for a bit. She’s a girl. She’s not safe out there alone. I’ll be right back.”

“I—” Before I could finish, he had already rushed out of the hospital room.

I stared blankly at the door.

My heart was eerily calm.

I looked at the cake and flowers on the table, my eyes devoid of any warmth. Then, I threw them all into the trash.

‘Ross,’ I thought, ‘there won’t be a ninth year for us.’

The next day, I insisted on being discharged.

That car accident… It’s hard to say if it was good news or bad.

The good news was, I didn’t break any bones. The bad news was, I lost my baby.

Now, all I wanted was to wrap everything up quickly and leave Ross for good.

After leaving the hospital, I went straight to the company.

That building—from nothing to everything—was my entire youth.

I met Ross in high school. He was the brightest boy on campus, and I was the girl always in the corner quietly taking notes.

Later, when he started his own business, I followed him here. I stayed up late with him, drank cheap coffee, and accompanied him as clients rejected him over and over.

In eight years, his company grew from a tiny rented office to a suite in the tallest building downtown.

Every time I carefully hinted at marriage, he would ruffle my hair and say, “It’s not time yet. I want to give you a better life.”

I understood his pride.

I didn’t want to pressure him. Even when my parents finally found me after all these years, I didn’t tell him.

I thought that once his career was stable, everything would finally change.

That day, I found a ring box in his pocket.

I almost held my breath, thinking he was finally going to keep his promise.

But the ring wasn’t for me.

I handed in my resignation to the HR. The manager looked shocked. “You’re quitting? But you’re about to get promoted!”

I smiled. “I’m going home to get married. I’ll be working from home from now on.”

Patti Hahn blinked. “Huh? You’re not an orphan?”

My smile faltered.

For eight years, Ross and I had kept our relationship a secret.

Whenever he showed me special treatment at work, he’d joke, “Her family’s situation is complicated. I just try to look out for her.”

Everyone thought I worked hard because I had no one else to rely on.

No one knew I was the woman behind his success.

I lifted my chin and smiled. “I found my family.”

Patti was stunned for two seconds, then she smiled. “Oh, that’s wonderful! Congrats!”

Before I could reply, I heard familiar footsteps approaching.

Ross walked in, wearing a dark gray suit, his expression as cold as ever. His gaze fell on the resignation letter in my hand. He asked me in this deep, sharp voice.

“What family?”