It was only at that moment that I realized Angela wasn't being kind-hearted at all. She had simply fallen in love with someone else.

"I understand," I said.

Out of her line of sight, I held my phone and sent a message to the CEO of an overseas company. "I accept the job."

The reply came instantly. "Perfect. I've already arranged your accommodation. Just let me know when you're coming, and I'll pick you up at the airport."

"Tomorrow," I replied.

To stay by Angela's side, I had given up my own future. Now I was tired and no longer wanted to do it. From this moment on, I would live the rest of my life for myself.

Seeing me silent with my phone in hand, Angela frowned and scoffed. "Sam's having an attack, and you're still in the mood to chat?"

"The VIP ward has already been reserved," I said.

Without turning back, I went ahead and bought the plane ticket. I casually tossed the ring onto the seat, where it lay alone like a pathetic clown.

The car fell into sudden silence. Angela was momentarily speechless, thinking she had misunderstood me, and awkwardly said she would reimburse the cost.

"Let's wait until Sam feels better before going public, so we don't upset him."

My phone vibrated. When I checked it, Angela had transferred 100 thousand dollars to me.

"Okay," I said.

I couldn't even be bothered to accept the money, especially since there was never going to be a next time between us.

…

I returned home alone. The enormous house was engulfed in complete silence, but I had long since grown used to it.

I quietly packed my belongings and called Dad. I told him to get ready as well, since we were leaving the next day.

The jewelry box was filled with dazzling pieces, yet the only thing that belonged to me was a worn-out watch.

Ten years ago, when Angela and I were still dating, she had bought me that watch with the only hundred dollars she had. I had been deeply moved and decisively turned down job offers from major companies, choosing instead to build a business from scratch with her and work as her assistant by choice.

Since then, I had never received another gift from her. Every important occasion, I was the one buying presents for her, including this wedding anniversary. The luxury cosmetics I bought for her were tossed into a corner, the bag never opened.

An elegant gift box sat on the table, containing a tailored suit and a bank card. I had thought it was Angela's belated gift for our ninth anniversary, but the moment I opened the greeting card, I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

It read, "Congratulations on Samuel Hayden's 100th day with the company."

Angela's handwriting had always been messy. When she suddenly said she wanted to practice calligraphy some time ago, I had foolishly thought my years of persuasion had worked. When I opened the drawer, the thick stack of practice sheets filled with repeated words seemed to mock my stupidity.

I threw the watch I had cherished for ten years into the trash, along with the unopened cosmetics.

By the time I finished, it was already 12:00 am. Knowing that she wouldn't be coming back this time either, I washed up and went to rest in the guest room.

I didn't expect to be woken up in the middle of the night.

"Ronald, I'm back!" Angela shouted loudly.

No matter how late it used to be, I would wait for her to come home. Then I would bring warm water for her feet and prepare a late-night meal for her. Now I shot out of bed and locked the door before she could get there.

It was strange. Whenever she went to care for Samuel, she usually stayed out all night. So why was she back already at 3:00 am today?

"Ronald, if you're awake, why are you ignoring me?" Angela asked.

Every time Samuel got sick before, Angela would stay up all night taking care of him and wouldn't come home. At first, I thought something had happened to her. I couldn't reach her by phone, so I called the police.

But it turned out Angela was perfectly fine, staying at Samuel's house and taking care of him. I had been drenched in sweat from anxiety, yet she chastised me for wasting the police's time.

She had once complained that I was annoying, and now she complained that I ignored her. She was unbelievable. Speechless, I turned over and went back to sleep.

Outside the room, Angela kept knocking. Her tone eventually carried a hint of grievance. "I'm tired and hungry. Stop sulking and hurry up to make me something to eat."

"Where did you hide the foot bath?" Angela asked.

I couldn't be bothered to respond. I pulled the blanket over my head, turned over, and went back to sleep.

…

Early the next morning, to my surprise, Angela didn't go to see her lover. Instead, she was in the kitchen making breakfast.

"You're up? Have some hot chicken soup to warm your stomach."

Angela urged me to drink the chicken soup, though her expression looked strained. I knew she was offering me a way out.

"Drink quickly. I still have to bring breakfast to Sam later. He's not as petty as you. He even told me not to argue with you and said you don't need to apologize to him. You should count yourself lucky."

Hearing that, I immediately set down my bowl and spoon. So the carefully prepared nutritious breakfast was meant for Samuel. I was just incidental.

That made sense. She had always been cold and distant. How could she possibly make breakfast on her own just to please me?

But now, I couldn't be bothered to say anything more to her. I simply handed her the divorce agreement I had already prepared.

"Before you leave, sign this," I said.

She pushed it back without even looking at it. "A contract? I'm going to the office later. We can sign it anytime. The chicken soup won't taste good once it cools."

As soon as she finished speaking, she picked up the lunch box and cheerfully headed for the door.

Watching her impatience, I said flatly, "It's a divorce agreement."

Angela stopped immediately. She turned around, wearing an expression that said she had finally seen through my trick.

"Are you still insisting you're not mad? I just accepted his proposal. That was just to lighten the mood. Besides, I'm already married to you. What's there to worry about?" she asked, looking completely indifferent.

"Let's get a divorce. I'll let you be with the one you love."

Angela braced her hands on her waist, her brows tightly furrowed. "How many times do I have to say it? We just have a normal superior-subordinate relationship. Ronald, why are you still acting all jealous like a kid at your age?"

Every time we argued, she used the same explanation. I used to argue back, but I had long since grown tired of it. "Yes, I get it. It's just a normal relationship."

This time I didn't make a fuss, yet she became angry instead. "Ronald, what kind of attitude is that? Haven't I already explained everything?"

My voice remained flat, completely devoid of emotion. "It's nothing. Hurry and bring him the food. It's not good for a patient to go hungry."

A loud bang echoed as the lunch box was slammed onto the table.

Angela stared at me, her face filled with anger and disappointment. "I'm already exhausted from taking care of a patient. If you won't help, can you at least stop making things difficult?"

My hand froze around the spoon. I thought my heart had long gone numb, yet at this moment, I still stared at her in shock.

I thought of the video Samuel had posted on Instagram, where Angela attended to him and fed him herself, her eyes filled with a tenderness I had never once seen. Our ten years together counted for less than the hundred days she had spent with someone else.

As Angela continued scolding me, I couldn't be bothered to waste my breath and stayed silent.

Angela was fuming. In the end, worried about wasting her precious time, she finally stopped lecturing me and stormed out.

Her secretary kept sending me one message after another, telling me to handle some work. I told her to go directly to Angela and then submitted my resignation to the HR department.

The HR manager rejected my request. "Mr. Pearson, Ms. Reed said that you need to talk to her in person."

Wasn't she busy accompanying Samuel? Where would she find time for my affairs?

I called her several times in a row, but none were answered.

I opened Samuel's Instagram account with practiced ease. Sure enough, I spotted signs of Angela. Samuel was discharged today, and Angela had personally picked him up and brought him back to the office to welcome him back.

I took a cab and rushed to the office.

Along the way, coworkers avoided me whenever they saw me.

"Ronald's in trouble. I heard he upset Ms. Reed's boyfriend so badly at the awards ceremony that he ended up in the hospital."

"Wasn't he Ms. Reed's favorite?"

"What kind of favorite stays a mere assistant for nine years? Only an idiot would believe that."

I stepped into the elevator, my heart sinking to rock bottom. What was obvious to everyone else had escaped me alone.

I had closed countless deals and still remained an assistant for nine years. Samuel had been here for only three months, barely familiar with his computer, yet he had already been promoted to manager.

Wasn't it painfully clear where her affection lay?

Yet it was only after I had hurt myself beyond repair that I finally came to my senses.

The moment the elevator doors opened, loud chatter filled the air as everyone celebrated Samuel's discharge.

Barely in his early 20s, Samuel stood among the crowd, shaking hands with everyone. Thanks to the CEO's favor, even his superiors had to fawn over him.

"Samuel, when are you and Ms. Reed getting married? Don't forget to invite us to the wedding."

"Once the wedding's done and a child comes next year, you'll really be winning at life."

Samuel blushed and stared straight at Angela. Angela smiled without answering, as if silently agreeing.

I found it ridiculous.

In the past, someone had sensed the subtle tension between Angela and me and spread a few rumors in the company. Back then, Angela had been furious. After firing the employee, she issued a strict order forbidding anyone from spreading gossip.

Ever since Samuel arrived, this strict rule had been abolished. It turned out she didn't hate gossip—she simply disliked me.

The moment I appeared, the room fell silent. The looks directed at me were filled with contempt and amusement, as if they were eager to see how an assistant who had offended the CEO would end up.

When Angela saw me, her cold gaze swept over me like a weapon.

"Oh, isn't this Mr. Pearson who wants to resign? It's already 11:00 am. You're two hours late. That counts as half a day of absence."

I knew she was angry, but after ten years of placating her, I no longer had the energy. I had already made myself clear, yet she refused to let it go. Did she really think the world revolved around her?

When I remained silent, Angela's expression darkened further. "Didn't you say you weren't capable? If you can't handle the assistant's work, then you'll be transferred to the cleaning department."

Claiming incompetence had only been an excuse to resign. Over the years, I had secured countless deals for the company. As the CEO, how could Angela not know?

Yet she still said such things just to humiliate me. It was truly childish.

Samuel's expression changed. He grabbed Angela's arm and spoke with feigned concern. "Angel, isn't this a bit much? Mr. Pearson is very capable at his job."

The other employees exchanged glances. After all, everyone knew how much I had contributed to the company.

I had long grown tired of these meaningless office battles. I waved my hand. "There's no need for this. Just sign it."

Angela froze, her mouth opening as if she were about to speak.

Standing beside her, Samuel's eyes instantly reddened, tears threatening to spill. "I'm not fit for this role. I should probably let Mr. Pearson take my position as manager."

"You earned your promotion through your own ability. I dare anyone to gossip about you!" Angela said.

After comforting Samuel, Angela assumed I was still making a fuss and shouted impatiently, "Go work in cleaning for now. When the company goes public later, I'll promote you to general manager. Are you satisfied now?"

It was always "later". Every promise she made was hollow, doomed never to be fulfilled. Did she really think I was an idiot?

I glanced at the time on my watch and cut in, "Sorry, you two. I'm about to board. If there's anything else, we can talk after I arrive in Avernia."