Aside from helping Aidan find new distributors for the factory's goods, Sasha had begun passing her workload onto Heidi.

Leaving was a decision she made after she had the abortion and left the hospital.

For seven years, she had sacrificed too much and endured too much hurt in the name of love for Aidan.

Aidan thought she was invincible. Little did he know, behind the flirtations with clients and socializing at the negotiation table, she was swallowing handfuls of sleeping pills and frantically washing her body with cold water.

She had used these seven years to repay the favor Aidan did for her back at the club.

After the fifth time she rejected Aidan's invitation to meet with new clients, Aidan finally realized something was wrong and showed up at her house.

At that moment, she was packing her things.

When she saw Aidan, she didn't approach him and hug him like she always had.

Aidan had been single back then. Even though she knew he didn't love her, as long as he was still infatuated with her body, she would present herself in various seductive poses for him.

At least, that was a form of love.

But now that Aidan had found his first love, it was time for her and him to sever all ties.

But when Aidan showed up at her door, he seemed frustrated.

Ever since he had scolded Sasha in front of everyone for Natalie, Sasha had become a completely different person.

Aidan felt like he hadn't done anything wrong.

Natalie was the woman he had loved for ten years. She was pure-hearted and from a good family background. Natalie clearly instigated the confrontation with Sasha that day.

Aidan had scolded her in front of everyone just to set her straight and remind her of her place.

After all, no matter how many times he and Sasha had slept together, Natalie would always be his future wife.

But since that day, things had changed.

No one had bought him breakfast, and no one had ordered his lunch. Even at the dinner table, no one would drink on his behalf anymore.

Aidan really couldn't get used to it.

Especially now, he had to humble himself to try to coax Sasha. But Sasha was solely focused on packing her things.

Trying to change the subject, Aidan casually loosened his tie and moved closer to her with a smirk.

"Come on. Let me kiss you. I haven't been intimate with you in ages. I've been hanging out with Natalie all day, watching movies and going shopping. I've been going crazy!"

He grabbed Sasha's chin, about to kiss her.

In the past, without Natalie in the picture, Sasha would have eagerly met his lips. But now, she just coldly turned to the side.

"Aidan, so you can respect Natalie and not touch her for three months of dating, but I'm just so cheap that you think you can have me whenever you want?"

Aidan's kiss fell into thin air, but he wasn't angry.

He stood up, began unbuttoning his shirt, and casually said, "How could you compare to Natalie? She's from a respectable family. Her parents are teachers. Sure, she's a little spoiled, but which young lady isn't?

"Unlike you, the first time we did it, you were already experienced. Since we've gone through it, why stop now?"

Sasha felt like her heart had been pierced a thousand times.

Of course, how could she compare to Natalie?

Since she and Aidan had gotten together, he had never given her any respect.

For years, whenever he wanted her, he would force himself on her, even in the car or with the driver present.

Even in the office, he would make his move if no one was around.

Sasha suppressed the pain in her heart and looked at him seriously for the first time. "That was my first time, Aidan."

To her surprise, Aidan burst out laughing.

"Well, it really did feel like your first time. By the way, where did you get it fixed? You should go for a few more sessions. I'll cover the cost for you."

As Sasha looked at the sneer on Aidan's face, she couldn't help but show her own mocking smile. "I don't need your reimbursement. After all, you won't be the one to enjoy it anymore."

Aidan laughed out of anger at Sasha's words.

In the past, she had been throwing herself at him. But now, she was acting like a virtuous woman.

He threw off his shirt and lunged toward Sasha.

"Come on. Stop pretending. No matter how angry you are, I'll take care of it in bed."

As he said that, he grinned like a beast in heat and went for her lips.

Feeling the stickiness on her cheek, Sasha struggled to hold back her tears. Like a waterfall finally breaking, they couldn't be stopped and slid down her face.

"Aidan, if you don't want me to hate you, get off me and leave my house."

Aidan froze for a moment.

He had known Sasha for seven years, ever since she worked at the club. But in all this time, he had never seen her cry—not even two years ago when Ella passed away, and Aidan helped her with the funeral.

But now, Sasha was crying.

For reasons he couldn't explain, seeing the tears on her face caused a sharp pain to surge in his heart. He even found himself wanting to wipe them away.

Realizing how strange he felt, Aidan hastily dressed and left without even buttoning his shirt properly.

He muttered, "Since you're in a bad mood, I'll leave for now."

With that, he rushed out of her apartment like a coward.

Once he was downstairs, he shakily took out a lighter and lit a cigarette. As he watched the glowing ember in the night, a bitter smile curled on his lips.

He had actually thought that he had developed feelings for Sasha.

How could that even be possible?

Forget about her wild days at the club. Even now, she would easily drop her pride in front of clients and flirt with them just for the sake of a business deal.

There was no way he could ever fall for someone like her.

He could sleep with Sasha, but there was no way he would ever have feelings for her.

Shaking off the strange thoughts, he pulled out his phone and called Natalie.

"Hey babe, are you asleep? I miss you so much."

After Aidan left that day, he didn't contact Sasha again.

Sasha could more or less guess what Aidan was thinking. He was waiting for her to appease him.

In the past, she loved Aidan, so he always put him first.

She had used every skill she learned at the club to seduce a man to win Aidan over.

She had provided him with emotional support and meticulously managed everything in his life. She had truly poured all her effort into loving him, like a moth drawn to a flame.

Just as Sasha thought she would leave during the silent treatment with Aidan, she received a call from him that very night.

He asked her to meet at the club, saying there was something important to discuss.

Sasha hesitated for a long time, torn between going and not going. In the end, her emotions won over her reason.

After seven years of loving him, she wanted to say a proper goodbye.

She even thought she might ask him, just once, whether there was ever a moment in those seven years when he truly loved her.

But when she arrived at the club and pushed open the door to the private room, she found not only Aidan but also Brian and Natalie inside.

Upon seeing her, Aidan immediately called out, "Sasha, come sit next to Mr. Conley."

Sasha frowned at once. Though she was unsure of what Aidan and Natalie were up to, she still sat beside Brian out of professional duty.

As soon as she sat down, Natalie started to flatter Brian with a drink. "Let me toast to you, Mr. Conley. I'm sorry for my rude behavior the other day. Please forgive me."

Once she finished speaking, Aidan raised his own glass.

"Mr. Conley, as the saying goes, 'You should never insult your friend's wife.' Although we're friends, Natalie is my future wife. When I saw her being disrespected, I lost my temper. Please forgive me."

Brian listened to their words. His face was still a mask, but his previously rigid demeanor had clearly softened.

He clinked his glass with Aidan's and casually drank it.

Then, he coldly said, "I can forgive you, but Mr. Gallagher, don't forget what you promised me."

Aidan immediately assured him, "I won't forget, of course."

He then turned to Sasha and said, "Sasha, what are you sitting there for? Hurry up and toast to Mr. Conley."

Sasha was puzzled. She remembered calling Brian just the day before, and he had been tough and unyielding.

Yet, in just one day, his attitude had completely changed.

What had Aidan done during this time?

Before she could think it through, she felt Brian's hand firmly grip her thigh. The sticky sensation made Sasha frown.

But still, she smiled politely and stood up. "Sorry, Mr. Conley, I need to use the restroom."

Sasha had been in the PR business for years, and she had been harassed many times.

She had her own ways of handling these situations, ensuring that the other person didn't take advantage while keeping the peace.

Although it was sad that she couldn't say goodbye to Aidan, she heard his solemn vow to Natalie.

She stayed in the restroom for ten minutes before returning to the private room.

As she reached the door, preparing to enter, she overheard their conversation.

Natalie's voice came through first. "Mr. Conley, I know you've liked Ms. Barlow for a long time. But because she's always been so indifferent, you've never had your wish fulfilled.

"So, to make up for that, I've brought Sasha here for you. Don't worry. Ms. Barlow is very skilled. I'm sure you'll be satisfied tonight."

Brian, hearing Natalie's words, immediately became excited. However, he still shot a pointed look at Aidan.

"Mr. Gallagher, your future wife is really a great help. It shouldn't be a problem if I have Ms. Barlow accompany me tonight, right?"

Aidan smiled and replied, "Oh, come on, Mr. Conley. Sasha has been interested in you for a long time. Otherwise, why would she keep calling you? Don't worry. It's not just tonight. I'll make sure she's available whenever you need her."

Sasha was finally able to fully understand what total disappointment felt like.

She never expected Aidan would ask her to accompany Brian to bed.

How laughable and disgusting.

It made her realize just how degrading her seven years with Aidan had been, to the point where he thought it was okay to give her away to other men without even asking for her consent.

Sasha had never felt this angry before.

After taking a deep breath, she walked into the room, coldly grabbing her bag and preparing to leave.

Seeing her action, Aidan immediately grabbed her arm. "What are you doing, Sasha? Don't you see Mr. Conley is still here?"

Sasha could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes. She turned back and hit Aidan's face with a sharp slap.

"I loved you, Aidan, but I am not an object you can command. I don't love you to the point where I'll allow you and your future wife to sell me out just to seal a deal."

Aidan was stunned by the slap.

What was going on with Sasha? In the past, she would do anything for business, but now she was acting so high and mighty.

Natalie had worked hard to convince Brian to continue working with Ridgeco Corporation, and Sasha had to do nothing except lie down to secure a 20-million-dollar deal.

What could she possibly have to object to?

As he thought about it, Aidan's face turned red with anger.

"Sasha, there's a limit to how much you can be jealous. Don't challenge my bottom line. Pick up that drink and apologize to Mr. Conley right now. This is an order."

Aidan had the nerve to still talk about jealousy.

With a mix of despair and rage, Sasha trembled as she forcefully pulled her hand away from Aidan's grasp.

"You know what, Aidan? I've never hated myself more than I do right now. Every time I think about the seven years I spent with you, trying to please those clients, enduring their harassment, and bargaining with them, I feel so sick that I want to throw up.

"Thank you for finally making me realize that my love for you these seven years was nothing but a joke."

With that, Sasha turned around and stormed out of the room.

As she left, Aidan stood there watching her retreating figure, and a wave of indescribable heartache surged through him.

He had a vague feeling that if he let Sasha leave tonight, he would lose her forever.

But before he could sort through his jumbled emotions, Brian slammed his hand on the table in anger.

"Are you enjoying playing with me, Aidan Gallagher? Does it make you proud to have me watch you take the lead in a love triangle? Let me make one thing clear. Don't even think about getting another deal from me."

The furious Brian turned and left the room.

Aidan couldn't care less about Sasha's departure now. He rushed after Brian.

Meanwhile, Sasha headed straight for the airport as soon as she left the club.