“But you’ve misunderstood us,” Gerald said softly. “Spoiling you isn’t just for show. We truly mean it.”

As his words lingered in the air, Daniel suddenly appeared, pushing a cake cart toward me with a flourish.

“Do you know why we scheduled this celebration today?” he teased, grinning. “It’s because you, being the scatterbrain you are, forgot something important—your own birthday!”

“Happy Birthday!”

The room erupted into song and the lively atmosphere felt almost infectious.

Daniel led the employees in a cheerful chorus while Gerald clapped along with a smile, his gaze soft and warm. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the past—the days when their care and attention felt genuine.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d been too quick to judge them. Maybe I’d misread their intentions.

As the crowd cheered and celebrated, Nora approached me with a gift box in hand. Her smile was radiant, her tone syrupy sweet.

“Hannah,” she said, her voice dripping with sincerity. “I’ve always seen you as my closest sister. Today is your special day, so I prepared a gift just for you. I hope you’ll like it.”

The entire room fell silent as I opened the gift. All eyes were on me, their expressions a mix of anticipation and envy.

But as the lid came off, the atmosphere shifted.

Inside was a pair of green high heels.

The room erupted into laughter.

“Hannah, these shoes suit you perfectly!” Nora exclaimed with feigned excitement, her voice loud enough to incite the crowd further. “Go on, try them on! They’ll look stunning on you!”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, the provocation unmistakable. The laughter around me grew louder, turning crueler with each passing second.

Green high heels. The insult wasn’t lost on me. A symbol of mockery, meant to humiliate.

I instinctively glanced at Gerald and Daniel, searching for some sign of solidarity. But what I saw instead made my chest tighten.

They were laughing too.

Not just laughing—they were enjoying the spectacle, like spectators entertained by a cruel joke.

The warmth and kindness they’d shown moments ago evaporated in an instant, replaced by smug amusement.

Daniel was the first to break the tension, clapping Gerald on the shoulder as he roared with laughter. “Look at her face! Did she actually think this was her birthday cake?”

“She really took it seriously!” He doubled over, gasping for breath. “No, no, this cake is for Nora. She’s the true star of this company, after all.”

The laughter felt like needles pricking my skin, each sound sharper than the last.

Gerald smirked and turned to Nora. “Nora, looks like we won this bet.”

Nora’s face lit up with triumph. “Alright, fine. I’ll admit it—you two were right!” she said, her voice laced with mockery. “I didn’t think Hannah would fall for it so easily. But I guess if you shine just a little bit of light on her, she’ll bloom like a flower.”

“She really can’t leave you two, can she?”

Both men grinned, their egos swelling with satisfaction.

Daniel leaned back, crossing his arms. “Of course not. We’ve treated her like a queen all these years. How could she ever survive without us?”

Gerald nodded in agreement, his tone patronizing. “Exactly. So don’t worry, Nora. No matter how upset she gets, she won’t dare to challenge us. She’s too dependent.”

My stomach churned as their words sank in.

This was all a game to them—a bet between them and Nora. They’d gambled on my loyalty, my inability to stand up for myself. They thought I was so used to their control that I’d never be able to break free.

For a moment, the world around me blurred. My chest felt tight, my breaths shallow. The laughter of the crowd roared in my ears, blending into a cacophony that made my head spin.

It wasn’t until I felt the sharp pain of my nails digging into my palms—so hard they broke the skin—that I snapped back to reality.

I told myself to stay calm. Now wasn’t the time to lash out.

Throwing a tantrum or screaming at Nora would only play into their hands. I’d look like a fool—a shrew unable to keep her composure.

No, I needed to bide my time.

I clenched my fists, inhaled deeply and forced a bitter smile.

“Thank you, Nora,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “The shoes are... lovely.”

Her smirk widened and the crowd’s laughter continued.

But I was done being their punchline.

Deep down, I knew one thing for certain: they may think they’ve won this battle, but the war was far from over.

A woman who loses her favor and crumbles is just that—a woman defeated.

"You all have a good time celebrating," I said with a bitter smile. "Excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and left the company.

Behind me, their laughter echoed, unabashed and cutting.

"Did she leave because she's upset?"

"Let her be. She'll come around."

"Women like her just need a little coaxing when the time comes. We've known her since forever—she's as predictable as they come."

Their words trailed behind me like ghosts, each one etching itself into my mind.

***

Back at home, Nora didn’t waste any time.

She sent me dozens of photos from the party—each one flaunting her position as the princess adored by Gerald and Daniel.

I stared at the images coldly before deleting them, along with her contact information.

Then, with quiet determination, I grabbed a suitcase and began packing. A few clothes, my essentials—just enough to get by.

Before leaving, I made one final call.

It was to a trusted friend, asking her to release the video I’d prepared at the company’s fan meeting tomorrow.

With that, I left the house, the weight of years spent under their control finally lifting.

Sitting in the airplane seat as it took off, I exhaled deeply, relief washing over me.

It was all over now.

Gerald, Daniel—you thought I couldn’t leave you.

But the truth is, without me, you will crumble.

Meanwhile, Gerald and Daniel were still indulging Nora late into the night.

Drunk and boisterous, she clung to them as they stumbled into the house, her laughter filling the space.

“I drank too much,” Nora cooed. “I’m thirsty... I want honey water.”

Daniel, ever eager to please her, immediately turned toward my room and shouted, “Hannah! Didn’t you hear that? Nora’s thirsty! Hurry up and make her some honey water!”

He waited, expecting a response.

But silence greeted him instead.

Nora giggled, feigning concern. “You two, really... She must be upset! How could you gamble about her in front of everyone? Poor Hannah, what if her fragile little heart breaks?”

Gerald smirked, waving off her comment.

“Don’t worry,” he said confidently. “She’s not that fragile. Watch—give me a minute and I’ll have her downstairs, making your honey water in no time.”

Stumbling up the stairs, he swaggered toward my room, flinging the door open.

“Hannah!” he called out, his voice still tinged with amusement. “Didn’t you want a vacation? Fine, I’ll be generous. Three days—take three days off. How about that?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

His drunken bravado faltered as he realized the room was empty.

Not just empty—bare.

Gone were the small traces of my presence.

He rubbed his eyes, disbelief washing over him. Ever since I’d lived with them, I had never stayed out overnight.

“Where... is she?” he muttered, his tone shifting from confusion to frustration.

His anger flared instantly, his brows knitting together in disbelief.

“You’ve got some nerve staying out overnight!” he growled. Pulling out his phone, he dialed my number.

The robotic voice that greeted him was like a slap to the face.

“The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”

His grip tightened on the phone as the realization hit.

“She blocked me? She blocked me?!”

Fury surged through him as he cursed loudly at the empty room.

“Hannah! If you have the guts, don’t come back! And when you do come crawling back, don’t think we’ll forgive you!”

Slamming the door shut, he stormed downstairs, his frustration palpable.

***

Nora looked up at him, feigning innocence.

“Hannah didn’t come back?” she asked, her tone laced with mock curiosity.

Daniel leaned back on the sofa, smirking.

“Where could she go?” he scoffed. “At this hour, she’s probably curled up in some dingy hotel room, crying her eyes out.”

Their laughter echoed through the house, full of arrogance and confidence that I’d come crawling back.

But they didn’t realize—this time, I wasn’t coming back.

This time, I was done being their puppet.