1 Ten years into my relationship with Eason, I found his marriage certificate tucked away in his office safe. I demanded a breakup on the spot, but he broke down, begging for a second chance. "I don't want my dad’s illegitimate son getting his hands on the family business," he’d pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "This strategic marriage was the only way to secure my position. She’s been living abroad this whole time; we’ve never even met. Trust me, the moment I take full control of the company, I’ll file for divorce. You're the only one I love." My heart softened. I foolishly believed him and agreed to wait. But as the years dragged on, even when my grandmother was admitted to the intensive care unit, there was still no sign of that divorce. Instead, while pushing my grandmother's wheelchair through the hospital garden, I saw him. His arm was wrapped tightly around a woman who was visibly seven months pregnant. The tenderness in Eason’s eyes was a knife to my chest. "You're doing so well, sweetheart," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Just hang in there. Once the baby is born, I’ll make you whatever you want." My hands shook, losing their grip. The wheelchair tilted, and Grandma slipped heavily onto the paved path. In my panic, my eyes locked right into his. … Eason instantly let go of Kathy’s hand. I quickly looked down, my hands trembling as I tried to help Grandma up. Grandma clutched my sleeve with a frail, tight grip, her voice weak. "Annie, is that... is that the boyfriend you showed me in the photos?" She had just come out of major surgery and couldn’t handle any shock. I shook my head, forcing a tight smile. "No, Grandma. You're mistaken. That’s not him." "Oh, my goodness! Are you alright?" a soft female voice called out from above us. "Eason, quick, help her up and get her to the emergency room." Grandma’s body suddenly began to spasm. I wasn’t strong enough to lift her on my own, but Eason stepped in, hoisting her onto his back without a second thought. Even then, he didn’t forget to turn back and caution Kathy. "Kathy, stay here. Don't run, think of the baby." A bitter ache spread through my chest. Years ago, when Eason was buried in work, I used to carry files stacked higher than my head, running to keep up with him. Once, I slipped on a wet floor, the heavy folders spilling and bruising my knees. Eason had only frowned, looking annoyed. "I told you not to come if you couldn't handle it." But there was no time for old hurts now. I wiped my face and hurried after him. Grandma’s condition was critical, and she was rushed straight into the trauma bay. Only when the double doors swung shut did the adrenaline fade, leaving my mind spinning. The blood rushed to my head, and I had to lean against the wall to keep from collapsing. "So," I whispered, my voice hollow. "Is this the wife you've 'never met'?" Eason kept his voice low, glancing nervously at the hallway. "My dad’s illegitimate son is still trying to push me out. I had to keep up appearances to secure the board’s vote." When I didn't reply, his tone softened, turning coaxing. "I'll cover all of your grandmother's medical bills. Don't worry about the money." Before I could speak, Kathy walked in, hand supporting her lower back. Eason immediately turned his back on me, rushing to her side. "Kathy, slow down. Watch your step, the floor is slippery." Kathy smiled, wrapping her arm around his. "Look at you, always stressing out." I lowered my eyes, staring at my worn-out sneakers. "Thank you both for helping my grandmother. I can take it from here." After they left, my phone buzzed with a message from Eason. I’ve brought in the hospital’s top specialists. Don’t worry about the bills. Just don't mention us to Kathy. She’s pregnant, and she can't handle any unnecessary stress right now. A dry, bitter laugh escaped my throat. Tears fell, hot and fast, splattering onto the glass screen. Ten years of devotion, reduced to a bad joke. I opened my work app and sent a message to my department head. I’ll take the relocation assignment to London. I’m ready to go. The doctor told me to prepare for the worst. Grandma’s vitals were declining rapidly, and she remained unconscious, hooked up to a tangle of tubes. I didn't expect Eason to show up, carrying expensive organic gift baskets. He tried to pull me into his arms. "Don't worry, Annie. She's going to make it." I pushed him away, my voice flat. "We're done, Eason." Eason sighed, rubbing his temples. "I didn't tell you about Kathy because I knew you'd react like this. Annie, haven't I been good to you? I’ve taken care of your grandmother’s expenses, and I’ve paid for her treatments over the last ten years. I do these things because I love you. Why can't you just try to understand my position?" "You don't love me," I said, my voice cracking as I stared at him. "You just wanted a mistress who wouldn't make trouble." Eason’s expression hardened. "Annie, that’s unfair. If I didn't care about you, would I spend this kind of money? I’m not asking you to pay me back. I just need you to stay by my side." Before I could answer, the heart monitor beside the bed began to let out a long, continuous beep. Nurses and doctors rushed into the room, but after a frantic few minutes, the lead doctor gently shook his head at me. I watched the flat green line on the screen, and the world collapsed. I fell to my knees, sobbing until my chest ached. I handled the funeral arrangements entirely on my own, crying until my eyes were completely dry. On the morning of the memorial, I called Eason, hoping he would stand by my side. Grandma’s final wish had been to meet the man I had loved for a decade. "I'm so sorry, Annie, but the quarterly meeting is running late and I can't slip away..." Through the receiver, Kathy’s voice drifted over the line. "Babe, look at these cute custom cupcakes! Let’s make some ourselves later." I quietly hung up. A year ago, I had asked Eason if we could do a pottery class together to make custom mugs. He had laughed it off, calling it childish, and bought me a crystal glass from a luxury brand on his next business trip instead. I used to think he just didn't have a romantic bone in his body. Now I realized he was capable of romance, just not with me. My phone chimed with a message from my manager. Your transfer to the London office is approved. You leave in a month. I typed back a quick confirmation. When I got back to my apartment, Eason was waiting by my door, holding a takeout container. "You're finally back. I brought you some homemade short rib soup. You've had a long day." I didn't say a word, unlocking the door and walking past him. He followed me inside. "Are you still upset about this afternoon? You know I couldn't avoid the merger. Don't make things harder for me than they already are. Kathy is heavily pregnant, and she needs me around." Listening to his excuses, I felt nothing but a deep, exhausting weariness. "She’s your wife, Eason. You should be with her. You don't owe me an explanation." Eason’s face cleared, and he smiled. "Annie, I knew you’d understand. Just bear with me a little longer. Once the baby is born, I’ll have full control of the firm." I looked him dead in the eye. "Eason, I want to break up." He froze, then softened his voice, reaching out to stroke my hair. "Alright, let’s not fight. How about I take you to that new oyster bar downtown? I’ll shell them all for you." His expression was perfectly practiced, the same gentle tone he always used to placate me. But there was no warmth in his eyes, just the same old routine of using small favors to quiet my complaints. Without a word, I turned and went to take a shower. By the time I came out, he had ordered a massive seafood platter, and a plate of neatly shelled shrimp sat in the center of the table. "See? I did them all for you. Come eat." "I'm not hungry." Eason’s smile vanished. "Annie, I am exhausted from dealing with the board all day. Do you really have to do this? I’m only asking you to wait a little longer. The baby is almost here..." Before I could respond, his phone chimed with a sweet, pre-recorded voice. "Daddy, answer the phone! Your little prince wants to talk to you!" Eason pulled out his phone, giving me an apologetic look. "Kathy set that as my ringtone. You should set one for me sometime. She's been really anxious lately, so I shouldn't stay out too long. I have to go." I stared at the plate of shrimp on the table. Slowly, I picked it up and dumped the contents into the trash. The word Eason used most with me was "wait." On our anniversary, he’d text: I can't make it tonight. Wait until this project wraps up, and I’ll take you to the beach. On my birthday, after I’d cooked a full dinner: Go ahead and sleep. Wait until I get back, and I'll make it up to you. When I was hospitalized with severe food poisoning: Kathy is feeling unwell too. Even if it's a marriage on paper, I have to keep up appearances. Take your meds, and wait for me to get there. I spent a week in that hospital bed. He never showed up. For ten years, I had done nothing but wait, and I had nothing to show for it. I was always the secondary priority, tucked behind his career and his arranged marriage. I was done waiting. The next morning, my bank account showed a pending deposit of fifteen thousand dollars, my relocation stipend from the company. A delivery arrived shortly after—a rare designer handbag, accompanied by a note from Eason. Stop being stubborn. Don't be mad anymore. I calculated my savings from the last few years, which came to about seventy-five thousand dollars. I sent Eason a text. Come to my apartment when you have a moment. A few minutes later, he replied. Wait until this week is over. What do you want from the duty-free shop? I’ll grab it for you. I didn't bother replying. I headed to the mall to buy some travel essentials for my move. While passing the baby boutique section, I spotted Eason and Kathy picking out newborn clothes. Kathy caught my eye immediately. "Oh, hi, Ann!" I stopped, forcing a polite smile. "Hello." She gave me a warm, friendly wave. "Eason told me about you. He said you're a close colleague from work. I was so incredibly sorry to hear about your grandmother." "Thank you," I murmured. Kathy held up two tiny knit outfits. "I love the blue one, but Eason likes the cream. Since you're here, which one do you think is cuter?" My fingers tightened around my purse strap. "They're both lovely." Eason quickly stepped in, guiding Kathy away. "Sweetheart, Ann isn't married yet. She wouldn't know anything about baby clothes. Let’s look at the strollers." Kathy waved goodbye, wrapping her arm around his. "Can we go on the carousel after this?" "Of course," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "Whatever you want." I remembered asking Eason to go to the amusement park with me once. He had laughed. "I'm not going there. Wait until I'm as childish as you, then maybe I'll consider it." I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked over to the luggage store. Just as I was paying for a large suitcase, Eason suddenly appeared beside me, pulling out his black card. "Let me get that for you." "I already paid." He paused, surprised. I reached into my bag, pulled out my debit card, and slid it into his hand. "There’s seventy-five thousand dollars on this card. It doesn’t cover everything you spent on Grandma's medical bills, but it’s every cent of my savings." Eason didn't even look at the card. "How much do you make a month, Annie? It’s less than I make in a single day. Just keep it." He wore that familiar, indulgent expression, entirely confident that I would eventually fall back into line. "Just be good," he said softly. "Don't cause unnecessary drama. My time is money, and I don't want to waste it arguing with you." I stared at him, my voice barely a whisper. "You just want me to be a quiet, compliant mistress." The smile on his face faltered. "Don't use terms like that. I'm just asking you to wait a little longer." Always a little longer. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The weight of the last ten years seemed to lift all at once. I shoved the card into his coat pocket, grabbed my new suitcase, and walked away. Behind me, Kathy’s custom ringtone started to play, followed by the sound of Eason’s retreating footsteps. After wrapping up my projects at work, I returned to my apartment to pack. I found Eason sitting on my couch. I walked over and held out my hand. "Give me back my keys." Eason’s brow furrowed. "I don't understand you anymore, Annie. I give you everything you ask for. Why are you never satisfied?" To him, my love was something that could be bought. To him, I was just a mistress who could be kept waiting indefinitely as long as the price was right. I reached into his suit jacket pocket, pulled out his key ring, slid my house key off, and opened the front door. "Please leave. I need to sleep." Eason looked at me, his patience finally wearing thin. "Kathy is giving birth in a month. Once I take over the company, I will divorce her. Can you just wait? All you do is spend my money, you have no idea how much pressure I’m under." He slammed the door as he left. I walked over and locked it quietly. Just as I was finishing my packing the next morning, an official email from HR popped up on my phone. Ann, due to a report of personal misconduct, your relocation transfer has been revoked. Please submit your resignation immediately. I had been summarily dismissed and locked out of all company group chats. I called my manager, demanding an explanation. He sounded incredibly uncomfortable. "Someone sent HR documentation and photos proving you are involved with a married man." "Who sent it?" I pressed, my hand shaking. "It came from the Bennett Group's corporate IP." Livid, I drove straight to the Bennett Group headquarters and cornered Eason in the hallway. "Eason, did you get me fired?" He dragged me into a private breakroom, his expression dark. "What are you screaming about? This is my office, not your apartment." I played the recording of my manager's call. Eason looked genuinely shocked, shaking his head. "I wouldn't do this, Annie. It makes no sense for me to expose my own situation just to force you to quit. I'll find out who did this and clear your name." But when Eason ran a trace on the source IP, his face drained of color. The files had been sent directly from his personal work account. "This..." He stared at the screen, silent for a long moment before looking up at me with a complicated expression. "Let's just say it was a misunderstanding. Don't look into it any further." I pulled out my phone to dial the police. Eason immediately snatched the phone from my hand. "It must have been Kathy. She has access to my devices. Let me call her." Kathy answered on the second ring, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "Oh, did I send those files to the wrong email? I’m so sorry, Ann. My mind has been all over the place with the pregnancy." My career, my reputation, my hard work—all gone because of a "mistake." "Go to HR and tell them the truth!" I shouted into the phone. Eason cut the call, his face tight with irritation. "What’s done is done. Your personal information hasn't been leaked to the public, so what’s the rush? Kathy didn't do it maliciously. Just tell me how much money you want to make up for the job." From the phone on the counter, Kathy’s voice started crying. "I’m so sorry, Ann. It's just pregnancy brain..." Eason picked up the phone, his voice instantly softening. "It's okay, sweetheart. Don't cry, it’s bad for the baby. I’ll handle everything." I was the victim, yet his only concern was comforting the woman who had ruined my career. I had worked late nights, weekends, and holidays for this promotion. London was supposed to be my fresh start. And now, my career was in ruins because of their little games. I closed my eyes, taking a slow, deep breath. When I opened them, the last shred of affection I had for him was gone. "Give me the original files of those photos," I said, my voice dead. "And I will disappear from your life forever." Eason pulled up the files on his laptop. The photos clearly showed my face, while his had been carefully blurred out. I permanently deleted every single copy from his drive, turned around, and walked out of the building. On my way out, I booked a one-way ticket to London for the following evening. My phone buzzed with a text from Eason. Don't be angry, Annie. Kathy really didn't mean to do it. Just wait for me. Once the board meeting wraps up today, the company is mine. Always wait. How many more decades did he think I had to waste? I remembered the New Year's Eve I spent freezing on his porch, holding a thermos of hot soup while he stayed home to comfort Kathy because she was lonely. He had told me to wait. By the time the fireworks ended, he still hadn't come. I remembered getting caught in a torrential downpour, asking him to pick me up. He told me Kathy was terrified of thunder and asked me to wait. I waited four hours in a lobby before walking home in the freezing rain. I had begged him to meet my grandmother. He told me to wait. She died without ever knowing the man I had loved for ten years. I didn't reply. Within an hour, Eason caught up to me outside my apartment building, grabbing my arm. "Annie, you're being completely unreasonable! Kathy is carrying my child. Of course I have to prioritize her right now. You always have to make such a scene when I’ve already told you to just wait." Tears slipped down my cheeks, quiet and cold. "Then what was the last decade to you, Eason?" He froze, caught off guard. I wiped my face, looking him in the eyes. "Do you even love me?" Eason let out a soft laugh, reaching up to pinch my cheek as if I were a petulant child. "I swear, you are so adorable sometimes." I knocked his hand away. "If you don't love me, and you won't let me go, what do you actually want from me?" Eason thought about it for a moment, smiling. "I like having a sweet little kitten waiting for me at home." He looked genuinely excited as he continued, "Once I take over the company, I’ll take you to Bali. Just wait for me, okay? Like you always do." I looked at his smiling face, feeling absolutely nothing. He had no idea that this was the very last time I would ever wait for him.
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