After five years in a secret relationship with my boss, Eric handed my hard work to his childhood sweetheart, Shelly. Suddenly, they were the perfect power couple. And me? Just the girl he kept hidden.

He never even looked my way. So why was I still holding on?

One phone call later, I was done. Time to leave—and see what else was out there.

Five years into a secret thing with my boss, Eric Dempsey, I finally crushed the performance bar for a promotion—finally felt like his equal.

The night we celebrated, I was riding high... until he handed all the credit to Shelly Focker.

Everyone cheered like they were soulmates. Like they actually made sense together.

My heart sank. I couldn't move. Just stood there, hollow.

That's when it hit me—he never loved me. Never even tried.

I stepped aside and called Jared Jensen.

"I'm ready. I want to work in Votara."

"Wait, seriously? Okay, I'm throwing you a welcome party the second you land!"

Jared was stunned for like a second, then jumped straight into confirming everything. I could hear the buzz in his voice, even through the phone.

Then he got real quiet for a beat.

"I knew Eric didn't know what he had. You staying under him was a total waste. Come grow with me—we'll build something amazing."

I gave a soft hum, eyes locked on Eric through the restaurant's window. He was clinking glasses with Shelly, the crowd hyping them up like they were some golden couple.

No hesitation. No guilt. He looked... happy. Warm eyes, soft smile—like that moment was everything.

Jared must've caught the background noise.

"When can you fly out to Votara?"

Felt like someone punched a hole straight through my chest. I couldn't stop staring—watching them kiss like no one else existed.

Clutching my ribs, I whispered, "Give me two days. I'll wrap up here and come find you in Votara."

Jared hung up, totally hyped.

I dropped my hand, but the shaking wouldn't stop.

It was summer, but seeing Eric betray me like that left me frozen.

Laughter kept spilling out of the restaurant. Eric's inner circle—the guys who built everything with him—were handing Shelly flowers like this was some long-awaited fairy tale.

I dug my nails into my palm, trying to hold it together.

Then Eric saw me.

For a second, his face cracked—just a flicker of panic. But he snapped right back to that cold, smug version of himself. The one who never really looked at me.

I used to be hooked on that high-and-mighty version of him. Spent three years chasing, giving him everything.

When he finally said yes five years ago, it felt like I hit the jackpot.

Now? Watching all this unfold? I was just... tired.

Tired of chasing. Tired of hiding. Tired of a love that always made me feel small.

Watching him peel shrimp, wipe Shelly's mouth, pat her back so gently—it hit me.

He knew how to be kind. I just wasn't the one he chose.

I walked into the restaurant, grabbed a glass, and raised it like the others.

"Mr. Dempsey and Ms. Focker, I wish you a long and happy life together."

Then I tossed back the liquor in one go. It burned, eyes stinging—but I kept smiling.

Eric froze when he saw me. His brows pulled tight.

Yeah, I was the eyesore now.

I turned and walked out without looking back.

He called after me—but right then, Shelly spilled her drink with a loud yelp. Just like that, he was all hers again. Jacket off, tucked around her legs, full caretaker mode.

I let out a dry laugh.

That look on his face—real worry—it stung. Bad.

In five years, I'd never seen Eric flinch, even in a storm. But with her, he unraveled. Over and over.

Even if I'd been blind before, I couldn't fake it now.

I went home alone. Back to the place I'd called home for five years.

I stepped into the house. Everywhere I looked, there were reminders of us.

Matching slippers. Custom pillows. That photo on the table...

I flipped it face down. My birthday last year. I'd begged him to take it with me. He looked stiff, like he couldn't even pretend to be happy.

I started packing—no thinking, just moving.

I opened Eric's study and froze.

The wall was a shrine to Shelly—photos from way back to college. In every single one, he was right there, eyes locked on her, soft and warm.

So this was the "childhood friend" he never mentioned. She'd had his heart the whole time.

Then why take mine? Why mess with me?

In a glass case, lined up like trophies, were birthday gifts he'd saved for her.

And for me? Not even a smile.

He always kept that study off-limits. Never let me near it. Now I knew why—and it felt like getting punched in the chest.

Five years together, and the whole time he'd been in there, stuck in memories of her.

I felt sick. Stormed out, grabbed the only photo we had, and ripped it to shreds. Straight into the trash.

Later that night, he stumbled in, stinking of booze, and dropped a bag at my feet.

No guilt in his eyes.

"Madison, let Shelly take the credit this time. She just got back to Chavena as Deputy CEO—she needs the win more than you."

I didn't say a word. For the first time, I really saw him—shameless to the core.

I'd bled into that proposal. Pulled all-nighters. Drank till I puked just to seal deals. He knew that.

But for Shelly? He could twist anything to justify her.

When I stayed quiet, he switched it up.

"Alright, I'll forget what you said at dinner. I know you've been grinding. Got you that dress you liked. Try it. And be nice to Shelly at work."

Then he walked off to the bathroom like he'd nailed it.

I opened the bag. The dress had been worn. A wine stain stared back at me.

I laughed.

Shelly probably ruined the dress, and Eric just passed it on like a leftover prize.

Classic. He never cared about things meant for me. I was always the backup plan.

I couldn't sleep that night. Heard him whisper Shelly's name in his sleep—soft, like she was the only one who mattered.

My pillow soaked in silence.

I was never in his heart. Just trapped in some dream he built for me.

But I'm wide awake now.

And I'm done.

The next morning, my eyes were so puffy I barely recognized myself.

Eric glanced at me and actually asked, "You didn't sleep well last night?"

I gave him a weak smile. Said nothing.

Then he leaned in, like he was gonna kiss my forehead.

That's when I saw it—a hickey under his collar. My stomach flipped.

I stayed quiet all night and morning, but that did it.

"Let's break up."

He froze. His whole vibe changed.

"Madison Mercer, do you even know what you're saying?"

I nodded. Crystal clear. Just in case, I said it again—"We're done. Let's end this clean."

He laughed, like I was being dramatic.

"Madison, all this over a promotion for Shelly? Don't be petty. You're threatening me with a breakup?"

He tapped my cheek with the belt in his hand.

"Without me, could you even survive? Don't say stupid stuff like that again. There's a limit to jealousy."

Thinking I was just craving attention, he offered to drive me to work—for the first time ever.

Five years together, and he'd always used 'keeping it a secret' as an excuse not to.

He pulled me into the car, but when I slid into the front seat, I spotted a torn pair of stockings.

Disgust hit me hard. I shut the door and moved to the back.

Eric tensed. "Shelly spilled something on her clothes yesterday, so I let her change in the car."

I said nothing. Closed my eyes. I was done.

At the office, people who used to greet me were side-eyeing me like I was part of some messy drama.

Then I got to my office—files scattered, personal stuff trashed. Some of it broken.

Anger shot through me.

I turned to ask who'd done it, but Shelly walked in, bossing around two people carrying a desk.

I bent down and picked up one of my proposals—stomped on, twice. I'd spent half a month perfecting it.

I brushed off the dirt and looked straight at Shelly. "Was this you?"

She gasped, all fake innocence. "Oh no, Madison, I didn't think they'd be so careless. They really thought it was trash!"

She smiled like butter wouldn't melt, but her eyes? Pure smug.

"Anyway, Mr. Dempsey gave me this office yesterday. Trash like you should know where it belongs."

I smiled—cold and sharp—and raised my hand to slap her.

Before I could land it, Eric stormed in, eyes bloodshot, and shoved me hard.

"Madison! What are you doing!"

My head cracked against the desk's edge. A high-pitched ring exploded in my ears. Pain shot through my skull.

But that wasn't the worst part.

The worst was staring at him.

The man I once loved wasn't there anymore. Just a stranger in his skin.