Chapter 6
The next day. Lucas strutted back into the office with a teary–eyed Sophia in tow, acting like nothing happened.]
He muttered under his breath. “Next time someone tries to mess with you, don’t be scared. Just go off on them.“[
“You’re too nice, that’s why people take advantage of you.”
Sophia nodded weakly, her eyes ficking toward me
I’d had enough.
I grabbed a cup of hot water from my desk and walked straight up to Lucas
I poured the entire cup over his head.]].
“Wake up yet?”
They were both caught off guard.
Sophia let out a squeak and ducked behind Lucas.|
Lucas shot up, glaring at me. “Don’t think I won’t hit a woman.-
“Someone like you–1
Slap
I cut him off with a sharp slap across the face
Lucas’s head snapped to the side
The entire office went silent, everyone either sneaking glances or staring outright
Iyanked off the gold necklace I’d worn for years and threw it at him.
The pendant hit the floor with a sharp dink.
“Here’s your necklace back.“]
I spoke slowly, deliberately.
“You’re night. Childhood promises don’t mean anything.
“I’m telling you now, we’re done. Forever. Get out of my life.-
Something nickered in Lucas’s eyes–maybe regret–but he still squared his shoulders and shot back, Remember what you said.“[]
“Don’t come crying to me later.
He stomped on the necklace, grinding it under his shoe.
I turned and walked away.
The office buzzed with whispers
The project was almost over, and it was time to st
to start packing
After work, I went home and began sorting through my things
called a moving company to help
The over looked at the line trinkets scattered around any place and asked, “You keeping these?–||
“If you need to box them up yourself.
I glanced at the small gifts Laces had given me over the years []
Gourd my eyes.
“No. Leave them.“]
The movers worked fast ||
I climbed into the moving truck and len ||
gave the landlord some extra cash to deal with whatever was left behind||
The memories of the past faded like the empty apartinent 1 left beland ||
After settling into my new place, Lucas called
He acted casual, like nothing bad happened.
lige the Locks?” ||
“I went to your place. Why’d you change
“Do you need something?
He was silent for a long time.
was losing patience. ]]
not, I’m hanging up. If it’s work–related, tag me in the group clit.”
“Waitr
He paused, then said liguly. “I learned a teve new recipes:||
“My main told me to cook for you.“]
“Don’t read into it. Just following orders.
Back when I used to ask lum to cook, he’d always brush me
“Real men don’t cook,” he’d say, as if it were a woman’s job]
So I’d never tasted his cooking
I laughed bitterly.
“No thanks. I’ve already eaten.“]
Before he could say mure, I hung up!||
The project was nearing its end.
har day I cut ties for go
The day it wrapped up would be the day I cut
When I got to the office, there were a few flowers on my desk.
Brill damp with dew
Looked like they were picked from the side of the road|
I carefully picked them up and tossed them onto Sophia’s desk
Lucas, who’d been watching turned dark []
I ignored him and went back to polishing the project proposal.
1 stasn’t some prodigy.
Every bit of success
eus I had
tcame from hard work and sweat []
If I wanted to move up,
- p. I couldn’t afford any mistakes ||
Luras hesitated, then grabbed the flowers back
A thorn packed his finger ||
He winced, pulling it out.
“Emily, I brought those flowers for you this morning ”
I didn’t respond, just kept working
Lucas, embarrassed by my silence, finally tossed the flowers into the trash.
I glanced over.
The
e petals were crushed, their beauty gone.
Chapter 7
After lunch, I returned to the office and overheard Sophia sitting at Lucas’s desk, throwing shade.
“No wonder Emily’s always buried in work.
“she’s gunning for that spot at headquarters. ||
“Who does she think she is?“||
“Or is the planising to steep her way to the top?”
1 ignored her and tossed a file at her feet]
The poorly tone proposal inside spilled out ||
“If you can’t do your job, transfer our ||
*Don’t just take up s
spare and cause tro
e trouble.
Spphla sneered. “I’m just stating farts.“||
“Besides, we’re at the same level. Since when do you get in boss me around?
Lucas stormed over when he heard the commotion []
“You’re aiming for beadquarters?
ven look at hi
I didn’t even
at him. []
“What’s it to you?“]
Mr. Anderson walked over at that moment||
“That’s right, Where my top performer goes is none of your insiness.“[]
Lucas froze, unsure how to respond.||
“And Sophin, if you keep slacking off and making mistakes that the rest of us have to clean up. I’ll have to reconsider whether you’re fit for this job.“[] Sophia stiffened, then quickly changed the subject.
Π
“But I heard Emily was planning to buy a place here.”
I glanced at her. []
“I changed my mind.|||
“I made a mistake trusting the wrong person, and that led to bad life choices.
“Now it’s time to get back on track.
Hearing this, Lucas paled and said urgently, Emily, stop talking like that.
You’re just bring dramatic. Be careful, or you’ll regret it.-|[]
Yeah, everyone thought I couldn’t live without Luces.
No matter how awdat he was, I always forgave him.]
He thought this time would be no different.||
He thought I’d always wait for him
After work. I packed up and headed home
As soon as I stepped out of the office, I noticed a shadow trailing i
Two niesters behind, following my every move
1 turned around, annoyed.
“Laces, I’m not Sophia. Why are you following me?”
He scratched his head. [
“My mom wants you to come over for dinner.
I rolled my eyes.
“Your mom’s out of town. I’ll take her out to eat another time.“]
As I turned to leave, he grabbed my arm []
“You don’t even want to be in the same room as me anymore?
“At least let me walk you home
“Its late, and it’s not safe for you to go alone.”
Now he cares about safety?
What about when he was tangled up with Sophia?
“Go home yourself. I moved-
Before I could finish, his phone rang
I could hear the noise on the other end and Sophia’s panicked voler
It sounded like another wife had caught her
*Emily, I’ll talk to you later. Something urgent came up
He looked at his phone, worried, then took off without another word
Some things never change
Ihailed a cab and went back to my new place.
Late that night, I got a text from him.
“Emily, I’m back. Open the door.
“If you don’t let me in, I’m not leaving
Ignored him and tossed my phone aside
A while later, he texted again.
“Why did the neighbors say you moved out days ago?–||
Then he called immediately
His voler trembled.[
“Did you move? Where?
“You said this place was close to work and to me. It was convenient
I replied flatly, “Where I live is none of your business.
He paused, then said urgently. “We agreed you’d marry me someday.
I almost laughed. [
“You threw away the necklace, slept with someone else, and now you’re spouting
He wanted it bod ways–the perfect wife and the wild fing
But I don’t work like that.
….
e thus nonsense
