For eight years, I was James Carter's secretary and secret lover. Eight years of giving him my heart completely.

I truly believed he loved me back - he was always tender and attentive when we were intimate, seemingly caring about my every need and desire.

But then I overheard him telling others, "She's nothing but a stand-in, just someone to satisfy my physical needs when I'm bored. Did you really think I would marry her?"

In that moment, I finally found the strength to let go and stop loving him.

I handed in my resignation and walked away from it all.

Yet after my whirlwind marriage to someone else, why did he suddenly start searching for me desperately across the city?

Now he's here with tears in his eyes, claiming I'm the one he truly loves? Wasn't I just his convenient replacement all along?

Sarah's POV

For eight years, I was James Carter's secretary and secret lover. Eight years of giving him my heart completely.

I truly believed he loved me back - he was always tender and attentive when we were intimate, seemingly caring about my every need and desire.

But then I overheard him telling others, "She's nothing but a stand-in, just someone to satisfy my physical needs when I'm bored. Did you really think I would marry her?"

In that moment, I finally found the strength to let go and stop loving him.

"Honey, when are you coming home to meet the man your grandmother arranged for you?"

"The doctors say Gran's condition has worsened. She might only have a few months left, and her greatest wish is to see you married..."

After my morning meeting, I received these texts from Mom.

This was the eighth time this year they'd pressured me about marriage. Usually, I'd brush it off with vague excuses, but today, for some reason, I didn't want to refuse anymore.

I typed back: "In ten days, after I finish my resignation paperwork."

"You're finally quitting?"

"Yes."

Just as I was putting away my phone and about to shut down my computer to head home, my phone rang. "Come to the conference room."

When I pushed open the conference room door, I immediately saw James Carter standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Years of working out had given him an incredible physique - his abs visible through his crisp white dress shirt, his proportions more perfect than any runway model's.

That was one of the many reasons I was so captivated by him.

"You're here. I bought you new set of seducing lingerie. Wear it for me tonight,” he said, handing me a box.

James held me in his arms, his expensive cologne intoxicating. Memories of our intimate moments flashed through my mind.

I almost agreed, but in the next second, I came to my senses and pushed him away.

"Not tonight."

James hated being refused, whether in bed or boardroom negotiations. He forcefully backed me into a corner.

"Your period was just last week."

"I have a meeting with a new client."

I explained, keeping my head down, avoiding his intense gaze.

James smirked. "We've done it in my penthouse, in the shower, but never in the conference room. Want to try?"

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, silencing my protests.

His hands roamed freely over my body. I felt powerless, trying to push him away but only being held tighter.

My rational mind screamed not to give in to his seduction, but my body betrayed me.

I couldn't control myself - my arms wrapped around him, feeling his firm muscles, lost in everything about him.

He kissed me, held me, touched me, did whatever he wanted.

My body surrendered to him, but my mind remained painfully clear.

I remembered the scene from last night. James had been drinking heavily and called me to pick him up from the bar.

Outside the VIP room, I overheard his conversation with friends.

"Mr. Carter, we heard your family's arranging a marriage for you. What about Sarah Garnett, that little secretary of yours?”

James laughed dismissively. "She's just a fling. You don't seriously think I'd marry her?"

"The position of Mrs. Carter is reserved for someone else - the one who truly holds my heart."

"Won't your little secretary be devastated? Maybe even suicidal?"

Everyone knew how much I loved James - so much that I would drop everything to be at his side, no matter the time or place. Even his friends joked about it, saying I couldn’t live without him.

I thought eight years of devotion would have earned me a special place in his heart.

Perhaps he would fall in love with me.

But I never expected that in his eyes, I was just a convenient plaything, always at his beck and call.

In that moment, something inside me broke.

As my thoughts returned to the present, James was already inside me.

Intimacy should be something joyful, but now it just left me utterly drained.

He lay against my ear, whispering my name over and over, holding me tightly as he reached his climax.

Kissing my earlobe, caressing my bosom, so tender and passionate.

I once thought these gestures meant love. Now I saw them for what they were - just his way of satisfying his desires.

After we finished, he returned to his cold, distant self. He straightened his clothes and pulled out a credit card from his pocket.

"Your spending money for the month.

"By the way, I'm getting engaged."

"Okay," I replied while putting on my underwear.

"Why aren't you angry?"

James frowned, cupping my face, studying me intently as if searching for the reaction he expected.

"Why should I be angry? I'm just a secretary, just Mr. Carter's friend with benefits. What right do I have to be angry?"

I finished dressing and walked out of the conference room.

Tears blurred my vision. It was time to let go of this one-sided relationship.

The next day, I took a half-day off. As expected, he called me at noon.

"Sarah, where are you?" James's tone was harsh. "Why aren't you at work?"

Ever since we’d started this twisted relationship, I'd lost all personal time. Being by his side constantly, during and after work hours, had become normal.

Taking sudden time off was something I'd never done before.

"I caught a cold, needed some rest," I answered listlessly.

After a moment's silence, his tone softened. "Tell me first next time. Do you need to see a doctor?”

"No need, just some rest will do."

"Alright, I'll come over later. I want cream of mushroom soup - make sure to prepare it."

After hanging up, I looked through the photo album in my hands - pictures of James and me, though mostly just of him.

Photography had been my hobby since childhood, but he always disliked having his picture taken. Whenever I begged him to take photos together, he'd look annoyed.

Still, I foolishly wanted to preserve our memories together, so I secretly took many photos of him.

When he accidentally found this album at my place before, he'd scoffed, calling it childish, though he reluctantly agreed to take a couple of photos with me.

I lit a fire in the brazier and placed the entire album inside.

As the flames consumed our faces in the photos, my love burned to ashes with them.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I opened it to find James standing there with a bag of medicine.

His eyes moved past me to the brazier behind, his handsome brows immediately furrowing.

"What are you doing?"

Sarah's POV

James strode past me into the room. His gaze landed on the brazier. “Is that... the photo album?"

"Why burn it? I thought you loved those photos." He frowned at me, a trace of reproach in his eyes.

I didn't understand. He never liked taking photos, so why question me about burning them?

"It's nothing. They were getting moldy and yellow, so I decided to just burn them."

He stared at me with his frown deepening. “Those photos were of me. They're my property in a way.

"Why didn't you tell me before burning them?" James turned to confront me. "Sarah, what's going on with you lately?"

"Nothing." I avoided his gaze.

"Fine, if you won't tell me. Let's eat - where's my cream of mushroom soup?" James asked, his irritation barely concealed.

I picked up my phone and opened a delivery app. "I don't feel like cooking today. Let's order in."

James's expression darkened further. He tossed the medicine bag onto the couch and gripped my wrist tightly.

"Why won't you cook? I told you in advance I wanted it!"

I yanked my hand away. "There's no reason. I just don't want to."

"If you wants soup, you can go home and have your housekeeper make it."

James's anger instantly flared. The rage in his eyes no longer contained, he grabbed my shoulders and roughly pushed me against the wall.

"Are you throwing a tantrum? Sarah, know your place!"

"And what place is that?" I gave him a cold smile. "Oh right, I'm your friend with benefits and secretary. That's my place."

He froze at my words, his expression complicated as he released me. "That was just talk, it didn't mean anything.

"Don't take it seriously. I didn't mean it that way, I was just talking casually with them."

If he hadn't thought it deep down, how could such words come so easily?

I smiled bitterly, not bothering to expose his lie further. Opening the door, I said, “You should go.”

Seeing my anger, he tried to pull me into his arms. He kissed me, touched me, just like always, as if his body could erase my unhappiness.

As if intimacy could sweep away all my dissatisfaction.

I pushed him away immediately.

"I'm really tired today. I can't do it."

James frowned. "Is this because of my engagement? Is that why you're upset?"

"Don't be unhappy. I lied yesterday; I'm not getting engaged."

"Mr. Carter, who you get engaged to is your business. I won't be upset about it - we're not dating, you don't need to explain anything to me.

"Besides, I was the one who liked you first, who pursued you. What we have is just physical relationship, not love."

As he tried to speak, his phone rang. A woman's voice could be faintly heard through the speaker.

I couldn’t hear what she said, but without hesitation, James answered, “I understand. I’ll be there right away.”

He rushed out immediately, barely throwing back a "Something came up, I have to go."

I picked up the bag of medicine and found the receipt inside - it was signed by his assistant.

Of course. How could someone like James Carter actually buy medicine for me himself?

I opened my laptop and began carefully drafting my resignation letter.

After eight years, it was time to leave him and live my own life.

The next day when I returned to the office, I found an elegantly wrapped box on my desk.

"Wow, Sarah, someone sent you another gift?"

My colleague peeked over, teasing me. “You really are the whole package—smart, beautiful, and popular!”

I opened the box, but my smile faded when I saw what was inside.

A pair of limited edition Saint Laurent heels.

I already had at least three pairs of this exact style in my closet.

After every time we met, James would send me a pair of heels.

At first, it made me happy because James once told me I looked beautiful in heels.

So even though he kept sending the same style, I didn’t mind. I felt happy.

But now, I didn't want them anymore.

"I don't want these. They're yours." I pushed the box toward my colleague.

"Really?" She excitedly tried them on. "How do they look? Beautiful, right?"

Soon after, my desk phone rang - James wanted me in his office.

"Why did you give away my gift to someone else?"

The moment I entered, he pinned me against the door. "Sarah, even tantrums should have limits!"

"Besides, didn't we agree? Marriage isn't possible between us - we can only be friends with benefits."

I laughed bitterly inside. Right, I wasn't even his girlfriend - what right did I have to throw tantrums?

"I know. I just didn't want them," I interrupted him. "You've given me the same shoes three times."

"What?" James's frown softened. "I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time.

"Or tell me what you want. I'll buy it for you."

I forced a smile. James, what I want is something you’ll never give me.

"No need." I glanced at the clock. "It's lunch break. I need to eat."

"Wait," James grabbed my hand. "Eat with me."

"No thanks, we have different tastes."

I gently pulled my hand away under his surprised gaze. "Actually, Mr. Carter, I love spicy food. I only avoided it because you don't.

"Today I want to eat what I like. Please enjoy your meal."

For the entire week after that, James surprisingly didn't get angry with me. That weekend, he sent me an address, asking me to join him for dinner.

It was a Thai restaurant.

"You said you like spicy food, right? This new place is supposed to be good. Let's try it."

Seeing his text, I instinctively gripped my phone tighter, hesitating before finally agreeing to go.

During dinner, James casually mentioned, "I turned down the marriage my mother arranged."

I froze mid-air as I struggled to control my emotions. "Oh? Why?"

He stared at me intently, emphasizing each word, "Because I already have someone I like."

My heart erupted in chaos.

What did he mean? Could he... have really rejected his family's arrangement for me?

The thought struck like lightning, and I could barely stop myself from asking.

"That person is..."

"I won't be in the office tomorrow - I have other plans. I'll call if anything comes up. Make sure to answer."

He stood up. "I have a meeting back at the office. You finish eating. Take your time."

I nodded happily as I watched him leave.

He must love me, right?

Sarah's POV

The next day, James didn't show up at the office. News of him refusing the arranged marriage spread like wildfire through the company.

Everyone was whispering, "I heard Mr. Carter already has someone he loves - that's why he refused the arrangement."

"I heard he's not at work today because he's preparing to propose to the person he loves!"

"Oh my God, that's so romantic..."

Remembering James's words from yesterday, my heart started racing involuntarily.

Could he be planning to surprise me today?

I waited until evening when James finally called:

"Sarah, I forgot some documents. Could you bring them to my house?"

"Of course, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, I immediately took a taxi to James's villa.

Standing before the familiar door, thinking about what might happen next, I couldn't help taking deep breaths to calm myself.

If he opens the door and proposes, should I say yes immediately or play it cool...

Ding dong~

"Coming~"

A familiar feminine voice answered. Suddenly, my whole body went cold.

The door opened to reveal a beautiful woman in sleepwear.

Seeing me, her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, you must be James's secretary Sarah! Wow, we really look alike!

"Even our fashion sense is similar!

"No wonder you've been his secretary for eight years."

The woman before me had a face similar to mine. I felt panic rising.

Seeing the kiss marks on her neck, my blood ran cold. I felt dizzy, barely able to stay upright.

So she was the one James loved?

I spotted a pair of heels by the entrance - identical to the ones James had given me.

In that moment, everything clicked... I was just a stand-in for hert.

She enthusiastically pulled me inside, acting every bit the lady of the house.

"I'm so sorry you had to come all this way for such a small thing.

"Sarah, if we walked down the street together, people would think we're sisters!" She laughed, pulling me to stand in front of James.

"Don't you think so, James?"

James didn't even glance at me, smiling as he pulled her into his arms. "You're more beautiful."

"Stop it~" Emma Leonard turned away playfully, then grabbed my hand warmly. "Thank you for taking such good care of James all these years. I'm grateful on his behalf."

Before her natural confidence, I felt like the other woman.

I finally understood - I'd imagined it all. I thought James's kindness meant love, but it was just his affection for another woman transferred onto me.

Yesterday, when James chose a restaurant I liked, I thought he was finally going to make me his girlfriend.

Instead, it was our last dinner together.

He called me here today to make me understand my place, to stop my unrealistic fantasies.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Oh Sarah, you're such a fool.

You gave him your heart completely, wasted eight years, only to become a complete joke.

"I need to get back to work," I mumbled, keeping my head down as I tried to leave.

Perhaps because I was so heartbroken, I didn't watch my step and twisted my ankle on the stairs.

A sharp pain shot through me, and I nearly collapsed.

"Wait, Sarah..." James saw me stumble and started to reach out, but Emma called him back.

"James, I want your homemade pizza. Make it for me~"

"Of course, anything you want." He withdrew his attention from me completely.

The door closed behind me as I stood awkwardly under the streetlight. My last shred of feelings for James died right there.

When he was with me, James couldn't even boil water. Now he makes pizza. How laughable.

James didn't come to the office for the next few days.

Knowing he was probably busy with his true love, I quietly left my resignation letter on his desk and started packing up my things.

"Oh? Sarah, are you transferring departments?"

"No, I'm resigning."

"What?" My colleague looked shocked. "So suddenly? Did Mr. Carter say something to upset you?”

"Not at all," I smiled and shook my head. "I'm going home to get married."

Everyone was surprised by this news, especially since I'd always been so dedicated to work, practically living for it, and now I was suddenly announcing marriage.

To bid me farewell, several close colleagues arranged a dinner after work in our group chat, planning to drink and chat together.

After years of being James's personal caretaker, I hadn't relaxed like this in ages. After a few drinks, I felt truly free.

We lost track of time, and it was late night when we left the restaurant.

I stood alone on the street trying to get a taxi, but none came.

A group of thugs at the corner of the alley kept looking my way. My knuckles turned white from gripping my phone.

As they drew closer, their predatory stares made my blood run cold.

Scared and desperate, I called James. When he answered, I hesitated.

"Hello? James, could you..."

Emma's voice came through, "Hello? Who is this?"

I fell silent. Either James hadn't saved my number, or Emma was just pretending not to know.

Hearing my silence, she gave a soft laugh. "Sarah, you really don't know your place, do you?

"James never saw you as his girlfriend, yet you kept throwing yourself at him.

"How pathetic can you be?"

"And what about you?" I shot back. "What does it say about you, wanting a man who slept with me for eight years? How does that make you any better than me?"

"You! Hah..." She laughed scornfully. "At least I'm not unwanted like you."