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.