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."

Sarah's POV

I finally managed to get a taxi with help from the restaurant's security guard.

Sitting in the car, it hit me - even this apartment I lived in was from James.

Back when I first started working, I was broke and desperately needed a place to stay.

James had casually bought this apartment near the office and given it to me.

Back then, I thought it meant I was special to him, secretly feeling proud. I'd forgotten that with his wealth, it was nothing more than pocket change.

Reaching my building, I noticed the lights were on in my apartment.

A burglar?

I rushed upstairs, only to find clothes and belongings scattered everywhere when I opened the door.

The entire place had been turned upside down, and the culprit was sitting brazenly on my couch.

"Oh, Sarah, you’re back?” Emma said with a smirk.

"What are you doing?" I glared at her. "You know I can call the police for breaking and entering."

"Breaking and entering?"

Emma smiled dismissively, casually applying lipstick. "How can you prove this is your home?"

She stood up and pressed her finger on the door's fingerprint lock. It beeped and unlocked immediately.

"See? My fingerprint still works.

“Didn’t know that, did you? This apartment was a gift from James to me a while back.

"I went abroad and wasn't using it, so you got lucky. The deed is still in my name.

"I suggest you stop clinging to other people's property and move out soon."

"Wait, that's my lipstick! Give it back!" I recognized the familiar style in her hand and reached for it.

It was the only thing James had personally given me - he'd even applied it for me himself.

He'd said, "It suits you perfectly. Just use this one from now on, the others don't look as good."

"Don't be ridiculous," Emma brushed my hand away, showing me the engraving on the lipstick. "This is mine."

I finally noticed the words "For Emma" engraved on the bottom of the lipstick.

"See? James had this custom-made for me by a designer." She smirked. "Yours was just a mass-produced fake."

I felt all my strength drain away.

"So what?" I forced a smile. "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to tell you to stop dreaming. James loves me."

After Emma left.

I sat on the couch for a long time, thinking. Emma was right - I needed to wake up from this dream and live my own life.

I sold all the gifts James had given me, turning them into cash.

After all, money gives me the most security.

At nine that night, my colleagues invited me to a bar for a farewell drink.

But as soon as I walked in, I saw James with Emma by his side.

"Sarah, come join us! We've been waiting for you!"

I tried to leave, but someone pulled me inside.

"We heard you're leaving, and Mr. Carter came personally to say goodbye!"

I frowned - had I known James would be here, I wouldn't have come.

"Mr. Carter, who's this beside you? Haven't seen her before. Now that I look closely, she looks quite like Sarah."

One of my colleagues asked with a smile.

"This is my girlfriend and fiancée, Emma. She just returned from abroad."

Tears instantly filled my eyes.

The word girlfriend hit me like a knife to the chest, and tears instantly welled up in my eyes.

I had spent eight years longing for this title, hoping James would one day hold my hand and introduce me proudly to everyone.

But instead, all I got was him declaring someone else as his girlfriend.

As his words fell, the room went completely silent.

Everyone turned to look at me.

They had always assumed I was James’s girlfriend. After all, I had cared for him in every way, from his work to his personal life.

But now, it was clear—I was just a stand-in. Now that the real one had returned, my presence had become painfully awkward.

"Wow... let's applaud!" I forced a smile, fighting back tears. "Mr. Carter finally has a girlfriend! Let's toast to the future Mrs. Carter!"

Others rushed to join the toast.

I picked up a glass of water, trying to avoid drinking.

"Miss Garnett, we're all drinking alcohol. It's not fair if you just drink water, is it?"

Emma gave me a knowing smirk.

"Sarah, you're about to leave the company and won't even have a drink? Have I been such a terrible boss all these years?" James looked at me with a cold smile.