Someone exclaimed, "You didn't receive anything, Zoe? But Mr. Pozzi always treats you the best!"

It was hard to describe how I'd felt at that moment. I felt like laughing more than getting upset. I wanted to laugh at how foolish I was for the past three years.

Back then, tired from all the infighting of my mafia famiglia, I chose to run away.

I wasn't expecting to meet Simone at the company I worked at.

At that time, he wasn't a CEO yet, but only an ordinary coworker of mine. He had no subordinates at his beck and call and no ability to throw millions around on a whim.

We brainstormed proposals, had lunch together, and stole kisses in the office corridors.

After we got together, Simone said he wanted to start a business. I transferred the money to him without hesitation.

He built this company with my support, pulling me into his arms excitedly when it finally succeeded.

Simone told me that he'd used up all his luck in meeting me. He'd promised me a beautiful future and a happy family.

So, I waited for the day he would invite me to build that future with him, yet he refused to acknowledge our relationship in front of our colleagues.

Simone said it was because he didn't want office romances to set a precedent. He was also worried about being accused of favoritism.

No matter how intimate we were at night, I still had to knock on his door and address him as "Mr. Pozzi" the next morning.

Even while I was feeling wronged, Simone only comforted me by telling me it was just part of the fun.

On the day he walked toward me with a flower bouquet, I thought I had finally reached the ending I'd been waiting for.

It turned out it was all wishful thinking on my part.

I smiled bitterly as I placed the last file into my box. But as I turned around, I saw Simone walking in with Jasmina. Their fingers were tightly intertwined, completely unbothered by everyone else.

Even when our eyes met, he did not let go of her hand.

Simone was showing Jasmina around the company, pride written all over his face like a child eagerly showing off his perfect scores.

"Who's this lady, Mr. Pozzi?" Everyone was watching him, curious.

"Can't you see the ring on her finger? Of course, she's the CEO's wife!"

Everyone's gaze shifted to the matching rings on their ring fingers, and one colleague gasped. "I've seen that ring in a magazine, it's one of a kind worldwide! You truly went all out, Mr. Pozzi!"

"Oh my, Mr. Pozzi seems cold most of the time. Who would've thought he's actually a devoted husband?"

The office buzzed with excitement. I was the only one looking out of place in the corner.

Simone noticed something was off with me. His eyes landed on the cardboard box on my desk and asked, "What's that box for, Zoe?"

I was about to speak when Jasmina cut in. She waved her hand and announced that she wanted to treat everyone to a meal.

"Is that okay?" she asked Simone cautiously.

He smiled gently, replying, "Of course. After handing out all those bonuses, this is nothing."

I scoffed. "Go ahead. I have something going on, so I'll take my leave now."

Simone immediately grabbed my arm. "Do you realize that embarrassing my wife means you're going against me, Zoe?"

At that, I turned back and retorted coldly, "Then tell me, did you send wedding bonuses to everyone but me on purpose?"

Simone frowned. "You know that's not what I meant—"

I couldn't be bothered to waste time on them. I wrenched my arm free. "I already said I'm not going!"

Simone's expression darkened instantly. No one in the office dared to speak. They were surprised at how I had dared to put him in a difficult spot, especially in front of Jasmina.

"If that's the case, don't bother coming in tomorrow," he gritted. "You're fired, Zoe."

Looking back…

Only when I stepped outside the building did the tears I'd been holding back start to fall.

All those years of giving everything to him and the company, but they were easily undone by a single sentence from Jasmina.

I laughed bitterly at the thought of how I'd wasted all those years.

I was the one who submitted my resignation first. Even if Simone had said that, I still got what I wanted in the end.

So, why was I crying so pathetically now?

As I wiped my tears away roughly, I decided that it didn't matter.

After all, I was about to start my new life soon.

That night, my Facebook feed was flooded with photos from the gathering my colleagues posted.

In one video, Simone kept Jasmina close at his side, not letting her take even a single sip of alcohol.

Someone asked, "Are you really firing Zoe Mr. Pozzi? She's done so much for the company over the years."

Simone swirled the drink in his wine glass. Disdain flashed through his eyes as he answered casually, "Of course not. I was just scaring her since she embarrassed me in public. She's been spoiled for far too long, so I had to teach her a lesson."

The person fell silent for a brief moment before reminding him, "But Mr. Pozzi, some colleagues saw Z oe crying outside the company…"

"So what?" Simone chuckled. "It's normal to cry. How about we make a bet, let's see if she'll show up to work tomorrow."

The crowd eagerly joined in, and the party plunged back into laughter and excitement. Even colleagues who used to be close to me placed their bets along with him.

In the end, over 30 people voted that I'd show up.

They said I was too hot-tempered, that I overreacted, and that I didn't know my place.

They then praised Jasmina for being gentle, sensible, beautiful, and generous. They gushed about how lucky they are to have her as their CEO's wife.

In the face of power, friendship meant nothing.

At this point, hearing all of this no longer hurt.

Papa called me to inform me that the Sortino heir would personally pick me up from the airport tomorrow night, as a show of sincerity.

There was a sudden knock at the door after I ended the call. The moment I opened it, the strong smell of alcohol hit me.

Before I could react, Simone already had me pinned down under him, his hands impatiently undoing my clothes. "Why are you so disobedient, Zoe? Why do you insist on going against me? It's just a meal. What's a big deal? Did you really have to make things this ugly?

"If you won't behave outside the bedroom, then you'll be punished in bed."

That night, no matter how much I begged, Simone didn't stop.

As I was tearing up from pain, he leaned close to my name and murmured, "Jasmina…"

A crushing sense of humiliation flooded my entire body.

The whispered endearments continued. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day… I was so happy seeing your smile today… Promise me you won't leave me again, okay?"

Simone held me and spent the entire night pouring out his love for Jasmina.

As his final word landed, something within me died completely, because people wouldn't lie in their dreams.

Looking at the bruises and love bites covering my body, I felt both pitiful and ridiculous until Jasmina's call came through.

She asked, "Did you two have a good night? He kept insisting on seeing you, so I figured I'd send him over. I never intended to compete with you for Simone, Zoe. I only got close to him to take half his assets.

"So, as long as you don't get in my way, once I get the money, I'll return him to you, just like tonight."

I couldn't help but laugh scornfully after the call ended.

It turned out that the most pitiful person wasn't me, but Simone.

However, to return him to me?

I wasn't someone who'd recycle trash.

I walked over to Simone and tossed a hangover pill onto his body. I whispered, "Goodbye. I hope you never regret the choices you've made."

Then, I stepped over him and left without looking back.

Before boarding the plane, I posted a breakup announcement with Simone on Facebook.