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.

Eric didn't even look at me—just checked on Shelly like she was the victim. Then he turned on me like I'd committed some crime.

I hadn't even touched her.

He snapped, "Madison Mercer, if you can't handle your job, then leave! You think this whole company revolves around you? You're too much for a place like this—I can't keep someone like you around!"

Tears slid down my cheeks.

My chest felt like it was full of glass.

I chased him for three years. Poured family money into his startup. Got my dad to quietly mentor him. Helped him rise, step by step.

But when it came time, he said letting me in as Deputy CEO would look bad—like favoritism. So he made me start at the bottom, hauling inventory.

I rubbed the callus still on my finger. I wasn't doing grunt work anymore, but the mark stuck—on my skin and my heart.

One sentence, and Eric erased everything I'd done for Corevista. For him.

And just like that, I saw him for what he really was.

Selfish. Small. Pathetic.

He walked out holding Shelly like some tragic hero, while everyone outside stared—some pitying, most enjoying the show.

I wiped my tears and stood, using the desk for balance. No one moved to help me.

Then Paige—the executive assistant—stepped in. Quietly closed the door, handed me a tissue, helped me keep what little pride I had left.

Blood hit the floor. I touched my forehead and realized I was bleeding. I gritted through the pain and headed to the restroom.

While washing up, I caught Shelly's smug reflection in the mirror.

"No matter how good you are at work, it doesn't matter if you can't keep your man," she said. "Look how fast I took everything. If you're smart, don't try to compete."

She jabbed my cut with a perfectly manicured finger.

"Eric and I go way back. You were just some desperate girl chasing him. You never stood a chance."

Blood slid down my temple as she laughed and walked off like I was invisible.

I ended the recording on my phone. Then, while I still held the title of Strategic Planning Director, I pulled the office surveillance footage.

Next step? Booked a flight to Votara. Leaving tomorrow.

Shelly was right—trash belongs in the trash. And Eric? He was garbage I'd finally tossed. They were made for each other.

Back at my desk, I printed my resignation and handed it to a coworker to deliver.

Then I packed up and walked out of Corevista Corp for good.

By the time I got home, it was already evening. Eric had sent a message.

[Madison, I'm not coming home tonight. Shelly's not feeling well. Don't be late for tomorrow morning's meeting. Might be good for your attitude.]

Classic Eric. Always counting on me being too attached to walk away. Silent treatment as control.

But I finally got it—no one needs anyone to survive.

What happened? Stays in the past. From now on, Eric and I are done.

I blocked him everywhere, deleted every trace, and closed the door on what used to be our home.

The next morning, I caught the first flight to Votara.

Time to start over.