He spoke softly, his fingers tracing the curve of my cheek.

There was a time when my body responded to him on instinct, when a touch like that would have undone me completely. Now I felt nothing.

"I noticed Olive gets whatever she wants. Her family just buys it. She was sitting on a pink piano today, hugging a tablet, grinning from ear to ear."

I said it deliberately, letting the barb land.

Cole froze for a beat, then exploded. He shot to his feet, brow furrowed. "Why do you always have to compare him to other people?"

"It's a gift. One gift. What's with the passive-aggressive comments? Are you trying to pick a fight?"

"Is it Finn who wants presents, or is it you?"

I said nothing. I just lifted my gaze and held his.

The silence between us turned rigid.

Cole seemed to lose his nerve. He looked away, and when he spoke again, his voice had softened considerably.

"Honey, let's not fight. The day after tomorrow is Finn's birthday. I promise I'll have a big surprise ready for him."

"Just keep your spirits up these next couple of days and get ready for the Scandinavian trip."

I nodded, then excused myself to the study under the pretense of catching up on work.

The next day.

At the company-wide meeting, Amelia spoke up without warning. "While Carina's on vacation, someone will need to cover her responsibilities, won't they?"

"I'd like to volunteer."

A smile curled at the corner of her lips, her eyes locked on mine, glinting with provocation.

The room went still. Every head turned toward Cole, waiting for his response.

It was only a seven-day vacation. At most, Cole himself or a deputy could have handled things.

No one expected Amelia to demand authority to her face like that.

It was absurd.

"Do what Amelia suggested."

Cole drew a deep breath and turned to me. "Carina, just enjoy your time off. Leave the work to Amelia. She's perfectly capable."

Dead silence.

This time, every pair of eyes in the room shifted to me.

"Carina."

"You don't actually think I'm trying to steal your position, do you?"

Amelia's smile widened, her tone dripping with challenge.

Everyone could smell the gunpowder in the air.

In ten years at Farley Group, everyone knew I was decisive and not someone to cross lightly.

Even Cole looked tense.

But I simply smiled. "Fine. I agree."

No one expected me to relinquish control so easily. Only Cole exhaled in visible relief, a small smile surfacing on his face.

Before Amelia could say another word, I stood and walked out.

Cole hurried after me, catching my hand from behind.

"Honey!"

"Just hear me out..."

I turned and cut him off. "Hear what? That this entire meeting was designed to undermine me?"

Forget me. Anyone with eyes could see that Cole was using me to pave the way for Amelia.

And it had started with the Scandinavian trip.

His scheming ran deeper than I ever imagined.

I couldn't believe I'd missed it before.

"Honey, let me explain."

Cole opened his arms and pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice earnest. "Amelia is talented. She deserves a chance to shine and bring fresh energy to the company."

"I had no other choice. This was the best solution I could come up with."

"When you get back, I'll make you Vice Chairman. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."

Vice Chairman?

What a joke.

Since the day Farley Group was founded, no such position had ever existed.

Just like all those promises about a birthday surprise for Finn. Nothing but empty words.

"For ten years."

"I've done nothing but understand you. Accommodate you. Make allowances for every difficult position you put me in."

I hesitated for a few seconds, then let the words fall with a quiet sigh.

"That's right! Honey, you're the best!"

Cole actually thought I wasn't angry anymore. After tossing out that single line of praise, he turned on his heel and headed back to the conference room.

I was packing up my things in the office when Amelia walked in.

"I'm treating everyone to dinner tonight. You should come!"

She smiled.

"I'm busy."

I declined calmly, gathered my things, and turned to leave. Behind me, Amelia's voice followed.

"Ten years by his side, and what does it matter? It doesn't compare to a single glance Cole gives me."

This time, all I could do was stay silent.

That afternoon, Amelia sent a message in the executive group chat: Got my promotion today! Dinner's on me, everyone!

Cole didn't object. He was the first to respond. Then he sent me a private message.

Don't overthink it, babe.

I didn't reply.

That evening, Cole and Amelia were out celebrating with everyone.

I was at home packing suitcases.

"Mommy."

Finn ran over and tugged at my hand. "Mommy, are you leaving? Can you wait a few days?"

"Tomorrow's my birthday. You said there'd be a big surprise, remember? I'm gonna wish for you and Daddy to stay together forever! And for Daddy not to marry Aunt Amelia!"

"He'll say yes, I know he will!"

His small face was filled with panic, his words tumbling out in a jumble.

"Okay."

I nodded gently.

Cole didn't come home that night.

Finn and I didn't sleep.

"Daddy must be getting my surprise ready!"

Finn stared out the window, his face lit by the first pale glow of morning.

But one hour passed. Then two. The sun climbed and fell, and darkness settled in again. Cole still hadn't come home.

I couldn't hold back any longer and called him. "Today is your son's birthday. Where's the surprise you promised?"

"Oh, that... Check the nightstand drawer. There are plane tickets to Scandinavia. Take Finn on a vacation!"

Cole laughed. "I'm swamped today. Gotta go."

The call ended abruptly.

I turned and pulled the tickets from the nightstand drawer.

So that was it. Finn had become just another obstacle standing between Cole and what he really wanted.

Almost at the same moment, Cole's secret account posted on social media again.

Engaged! When you love her, you give her everything she wants.

Attached was a photo of a share transfer agreement.

My fists clenched.

Ten years.

For ten years, I'd worked myself to the bone at Farley Group, doing the work of ten departments single-handedly. From corporate policies to the company's strategic direction, from vetting partners to scouting factory locations, I'd poured every ounce of my mind into building it all.

And I'd been paid an ordinary manager's salary for it.

Now everything I'd built was being handed on a silver platter to Amelia, a woman who hadn't contributed a single thing.

"Mommy."

"Daddy's not coming, is he?"

My son's crying reached me.

I turned around. Finn was clutching his phone, trembling. On the screen, Amelia's daughter Olive had posted on social media too.

Thank you, Daddy, for the little cake you baked me yourself!

For a child, it was a devastating blow.

"Mommy."

"I don't want to stay here anymore. Please, take me with you?"

Finn wiped his tears as he spoke.

"Okay."

I nodded through my own tears, finished packing everything, left the divorce papers on the table, and walked out the front door with Finn.

We boarded a plane to Scandinavia.

...

Cole and Amelia held their wedding, spent a few days on their honeymoon, and didn't bother coming home afterward. He went straight back to the office for a regular meeting.

His gaze swept the room, and he frowned. "Where's my wife? Why isn't she here?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"She probably lost track of time on vacation."

Cole muttered to himself, stood up, walked out of the conference room, and dialed my number.

"Hey, babe!"

"You've never been late to work a day in your life. How come you're not at the meeting? Still not back from Scandinavia?"