Just as we were about to reach the checkout counter at the grocery store, my best friend, Chloe Miller, suddenly remembered she had forgotten to grab something. Without a second thought, my boyfriend, Ethan Sterling, turned around to go back with her. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to instruct me: "Stay in line and keep our spot. We'll pay together when we get back." By the time it was my turn at the register, neither of them had returned. I had no choice but to let the people behind me pass, one after another, until I was the very last person in the store. Still, there was no sign of them. Every single message I sent them vanished into thin air. When I finally lugged three heavy bags of Chloe’s favorite snacks back to the apartment, the two of them were sitting in the living room, laughing and chatting while watching TV. Ethan looked up at me. "Why took you so long?" My throat felt incredibly tight. "I was waiting for you guys at the store." "Chloe suddenly got her period, so I had to rush her back," Ethan explained casually, pointing toward the dining table. "I left some takeout for you." I opened the box. Inside was a cold, dry burger and a few half-eaten chicken nuggets. "Why didn't you text me if you were leaving early?" Ethan gave me a strange look. "My phone was on Do Not Disturb. I didn’t see your texts." "Besides, who knew you’d actually keep waiting? Honestly, Clara, why are you always so stubborn and rigid?" Fine. I was stubborn. But from now on, I would no longer wait for someone who was never going to show up. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Ethan’s biggest business rival. "Mr. Cross, does your offer to headhunt me with a high salary still stand?" He replied almost instantly. "You’ve finally come to your senses." ...
I slipped my phone back into my pocket. Then, I tossed the greasy leftover takeout box straight into the trash can. Turning around, I watched the two of them whispering and giggling on the sofa, their heads practically glued together. In this apartment, I felt like the intruder. We had been dating for three years. Ethan had always insisted on his strict morals, refusing to take the final step before marriage. He wouldn’t even set foot in my rented apartment. Back then, I genuinely believed I had found a rare, respectful gentleman. But everything changed during Chloe's third month of living with me—which was also her second month interning at Ethan's company, the Sterling Group. Ethan suddenly started visiting my apartment of his own accord. He had said, "Your friend Chloe has a really fun personality. She’s so innocent and cute, like the little sister I never had. Plus, her mother did your family a huge favor in the past. Don't worry, I'll take good care of her for you." "Like a sister." "Because she's your best friend." Now, those excuses had turned into him showing up here every single weekend. To avoid missing any crucial business deals, Ethan used to keep his phone on twenty-four-seven. But now, he could easily switch it to Do Not Disturb for Chloe. I looked down, silently unfavoriting Ethan's contact and removing his pinned status on Snapchat. Then, I walked into the bedroom to pack my bags. Julian Cross had offered me three times my current salary, plus a luxury villa by the ocean. As for this apartment, which still had six months left on the lease... I could just leave it to them. Halfway through packing, a sharp, burning pain flared up in my stomach. Years of heavy drinking at corporate dinners and irregular meals had left me with chronic, severe stomach ulcers. Any slight trigger would set it off. I had planned to finish packing before eating, but my body couldn't wait. I walked out to pour a glass of warm water. Rummaging through the pile of snacks, I found a single piece of bread that was easy on the stomach. But before I could even tear open the wrapper, Chloe’s voice drifted over. "Clara, could you please not eat that?" I paused, confused. "Why?" Chloe looked hesitant, casting a pitiful glance at Ethan. He caught her cue instantly, stepping over and snatching the bread right out of my hand. He pointed to a cartoon character printed on the packaging. "This is Chloe’s favorite limited-edition collab. It was the last one on the shelf. She's been saving it because she couldn't bear to eat it herself." Chloe’s favorite collaboration? I lived under the same roof as her, yet I had no idea. But Ethan knew. "Fine," I said softly, nodding. I raised the glass of warm water and drank it all in one gulp. Ethan frowned as he noticed my pale face. A flicker of worry crossed his eyes. "Is your stomach acting up again?" "Yeah." Ethan knew how fragile my stomach was, but he also knew it was easy to soothe—all I needed was to put some warm food in it immediately. Yet, he simply tossed the bread back into Chloe's bag and pulled out his phone. "What do you want to eat? I'll order something on UberEats." It was pouring rain outside. The fastest delivery would take at least thirty minutes. I shook my head. "No need." I walked out into the heavy rain myself and made my way to the nearest convenience store. The clerk, Leo, smiled warmly and handed me a cup of hot chocolate. "On the house, Clara. By the way, could you do me a favor? Is your best friend's boyfriend still hiring at his company?" I froze. "Her boyfriend?" Leo nodded, his eyes full of envy. "Yeah, the handsome guy who came in with her the other day. They were holding hands and looked so sweet. Your friend is so lucky to have such a rich, handsome boyfriend. Didn't you know?" "I didn't before," I whispered. "But I do now."
The next morning. As usual, I brought a stack of files to Ethan's office for his signature, placing my resignation letter right on top. Ethan barely glanced at it before his face darkened completely. "We need efficiency in this office. You're supposed to flip the documents directly to the signature page. You've been working with me for three years, Clara. Do I really need to remind you of the basics?" Sitting at the desk next to him, Chloe gently nudged his shoulder. Her tone was playful and teasing. "Ethan, why are you being so mean? You're scaring Clara!" I subconsciously glanced at her desk. Once, that spot had been my exclusive workspace. But then Ethan had told me, "Chloe is your best friend, and she's eager to learn. I’ll keep her close to train her myself. You can work in the outer office." Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I spoke flatly. "I'm sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night." *Bang!* Ethan slammed his palm onto the polished mahogany desk. "I don't want excuses. If this happens again, you can request a demotion. My standards are strict. Also, address me by my title during office hours." I silently flipped every document to the signature page, watching him sign them one by one. My voice was so calm it surprised even myself. "Understood, Mr. Sterling." Before my resignation could even be fully processed, the entire office was buzzing. Jessica from HR walked over to my desk with a cup of coffee. "Clara, are you seriously resigning? Sterling Group is a top-tier company. How can you bear to leave?" I forced a small smile. "It’s not about whether I want to leave. I just can't stay here anymore." She hesitated for a second. "Really? We all thought Mr. Sterling was going to give you a massive raise. I mean, the intern you recommended is practically his favorite person now. Rumor has it they're already dating." Ethan and I had been together for three years. He had always insisted on keeping our relationship a secret, claiming it would affect our professional image. Yet, Chloe had only been here for four months. And the rumors about them were already spreading like wildfire. I shook my head with a chuckle. "What they do is none of my business." Once the HR paperwork was filed, I hired a courier service to take my personal belongings away. Taking one last look at the empty office, a hollow ache bloomed in my chest. But strangely, it didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. Julian Cross had already wired me a signing bonus of fifty thousand dollars, and his assistant had delivered the keys to my new villa. It was just three years of wasted youth. Thankfully, I had enough talent and value to afford the loss. Suddenly, a text from Ethan popped up on my phone: *"Let's grab dinner after work. The Ivory Room."* It was the high-end restaurant I had been begging him to take me to for over a year. But now, I had completely lost my appetite. "No, thanks. I have plans." A few seconds passed before he replied. "Are you still mad because I was harsh on you in front of Chloe today? Come to dinner. I'll make it up to you."
The moment I stepped out of the office lobby, Chloe rushed over and wrapped her arms around my elbow. "Clara, let's go! Ethan is treating us to dinner!" It was rush hour, and the lobby was crowded. I didn’t want to cause a scene by dragging myself away from her. But the second she pulled me into the car, I overheard a few coworkers whispering nearby. "Oh my gosh, they are so cute! Mr. Sterling and Chloe are definitely a thing. He's even taking her out for dinner!" Chloe blushed and pretended to be flustered. "Oh no, they're misunderstanding us! Clara, please don't be mad. Should I go back and explain it to them right now?" I patted her hand gently. "No need." After all, my suitcases were already sitting in my new villa. Once this dinner was over. Ethan and I would be completely done. Ethan mistook my compliance for "being mature." Before we entered the restaurant, he slipped a small red velvet box into my hand. I opened it. Inside was an elegant, delicate bracelet. "You don't need to stress over office gossip, Clara. You handled it well today. Consider this your reward." I held out my wrist, quietly watching him fasten the clasp. I couldn't help but recall an incident two years ago. A colleague had spotted us dining together and made a lighthearted joke. The very next day, Ethan fired him, stating, "Sterling Group has no room for gossiping employees." Seeing how submissive I seemed tonight, Ethan’s mood lightened. "So, you're not mad anymore?" "Chloe is still young and energetic, so she can be a bit undisciplined. I was only tough on you in the office to set an example for her." It was rare for Ethan to explain himself so much to me. But his words sounded incredibly hollow and pathetic. When we were seated, I sat on one side of the booth alone, while Ethan and Chloe sat across from me. They shared a single menu, leaning in close. At some point, Ethan pointed at a picture and laughed out loud. "Chloe, look at this cartoon character. It looks just like you." "Hey! What do you mean? My head is not that big!" Chloe pouted playfully, turning to me for support. "Clara, look at your boyfriend! Ethan is always teasing me!" The two of them laughed and bickered like a couple. I didn’t say a word. My head began to throb with a dull, numbing ache. Ethan had always been known as a cold, stern, and unapproachable CEO. This was the first time I had ever seen him laugh so freely, like a carefree boy. It turned out that being with Chloe, even just looking at a menu, could make him this happy. Good for them. They took their time ordering, never once asking me what I wanted. I didn't bother to speak up either. I had no appetite anyway, and this would likely be my final meal with Ethan. I just needed to eat a few bites of whatever came to avoid triggering my stomach. But as the dishes were served, my heart sank. Chloe kept squealing about how delicious everything looked, but I couldn't even bring myself to pick up my fork. The entire table was filled with spicy dishes, raw seafood, and overly sweet desserts. Just looking at the greasy food made my stomach churn violently. Chloe enthusiastically peeled a plate full of shrimp and pushed it in front of me. "Clara, you haven't eaten anything! Hehe, are you just lazy? Here, I peeled these for you~" The strong, fishy smell hit my nose, and I quickly covered my face, suppressing a wave of nausea. "No, thank you. I don't really like seafood." "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom." After dry-heaving in the stall several times, the lingering fishy smell finally cleared from my senses. I wiped the tears from my eyes and walked out. To my surprise, Ethan was waiting for me outside the restroom. I swallowed my pain and forced a weak smile. "I'm fine, don't worry. Go back and accompany Chloe. She—" "Clara Vance." Ethan spoke my full name, his voice dripping with cold annoyance. "I just praised you for being mature, and now you're intentionally making Chloe uncomfortable. Who are you pulling that long face for?" "My stomach really hurts..." I tried to explain. But in the eyes of a man who had already shifted his affections, my explanation was nothing but a pitiful excuse. He sneered. "You have no problem playing nice with those difficult clients at business dinners, but you can't even put on a fake smile for a young girl? Where is your emotional intelligence, Clara?" I clutched my stomach, my voice barely a whisper. "Then what exactly do you want me to do?" "Go back inside, and eat that plate of shrimp."
I followed quietly behind Ethan back to the private dining room, keeping my head low. In the past, during corporate dinners, no matter how powerful or demanding the client was, the moment I mentioned my stomach was acting up, Ethan would step in and drink every single glass of alcohol on my behalf. When I warned him that the clients looked displeased, he would say: "Screw their opinions. Your health is more important than any business deal." I covertly checked my phone. My official termination letter hadn't cleared yet, which meant I wasn't technically free. To avoid any last-minute complications with my exit, I had to play along. I had to show "high emotional intelligence." Inside the room, Chloe’s eyes were red, and her makeup was slightly smudged. She had obviously been crying. I put on a flawless, perfectly practiced corporate smile. First, I apologized. Then, I offered a smooth explanation followed by a round of beautiful, flattering compliments. The transition was seamless. Chloe’s tearful frown instantly vanished, and the cold aura radiating from Ethan dissipated. Finally, I picked up the plate of peeled shrimp. Fighting back the intense urge to vomit, I swallowed them down, one by one. By the time I had eaten more than half of the plate, Ethan finally frowned and grabbed my wrist. "That's enough." The lively atmosphere returned to the table, and the two of them went back to laughing and chatting. I clutched my agonizing stomach, my face completely drained of color. When I looked up again, Ethan had stepped out to take a call. Chloe was staring at me with a sweet, triumphant smile. "Clara, honestly, I really need to thank you." "For what?" "If it weren't for you, I would have never met such a high-quality man like Ethan." Chloe tilted her chin up, deliberately flashing her wrist. It was only then that I noticed the diamond cuff bracelet on her wrist. It was from the exact same luxury brand as the flimsy chain Ethan had just gifted me. To be precise, my bracelet was the free gift that came with her purchase. The skin beneath my bracelet suddenly felt hot and itchy, as if it were burning. Chloe continued, "Clara, I'm only saying this for your own good. You should pack up and leave him on your own terms. It’ll save you some dignity." My stomach seized with another sharp, stabbing pain. Unable to hold myself up any longer, I collapsed onto the table, cold sweat pouring down my forehead. Just then, Ethan walked back into the room. Chloe immediately let out an exaggerated gasp, raising her hand. "Ethan! I accidentally cut my finger on a crab shell!" It was a microscopic scratch, barely oozing two tiny specks of blood. Yet, Ethan’s face paled with sheer panic. "We need to get you to the emergency room right now!" Desperate, my physical instinct made me reach out and grab the hem of Ethan’s jacket. "My stomach... it hurts so bad. Please, take me to the hospital too." "I can't!" Ethan snapped, brushing my hand off without even looking at me. "Chloe’s finger was cut by a raw seafood shell. There's a severe risk of flesh-eating bacteria infection! The specialist clinic is on the east side of the city, and your usual clinic is on the west. They are on completely opposite sides." "It’s not on the way." I opened my mouth to plead, but Ethan quickly shook off my grip and rushed Chloe out the door. He threw one last sentence over his shoulder. "You've had stomach aches a thousand times. You can handle yourself. It's not like you're going to die." The heavy door slammed shut. My vision blurred with sweat and tears as I fumbled with my phone. I couldn't even see the screen clearly, and I had no idea whose number I dialed. When the call connected, a deep voice asked for my location. Hearing my weak whimper, he said only two words: "Wait there." Right after the call disconnected, my phone buzzed with an incoming email. It was my official termination approval. A wry, painful laugh escaped my lips. Finally, it was over. A second before I blacked out from the pain, I sent Ethan one last message on Snapchat. "We are over. Let's break up."
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "NovelMaster" app ? search for "466450", and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster