Louie's POV

She told me he was just an old childhood friend who had been working abroad for years and had finally come back.

Since that was what she had introduced to me, I didn’t think much of it. In fact, I even encouraged her to go catch up with her old friends.

But little by little, things started to change.

Her phone began buzzing more often, and she had more sudden “business trips.” Her evenings were also filled with vague excuses about “reconnecting with old friends” I’d never heard of before.

Outside, the rain poured harder, and the world beyond the window blurred into gray.

I turned my eyes to the wedding photo hanging on the wall.

In that picture, Tracy was smiling so sweetly, like I was the only thing that mattered in her entire world.

But now, that smile was being shown to someone else.

Maybe some things just couldn't stand the test of time. Maybe memories were stronger. Or maybe childhood bonds never really faded.

I closed my eyes and let the past and present twist together in my mind.

I knew I wouldn’t be sleeping that night.

The next morning, I arrived early at Kain Company, ready to hand in my resignation.

I was just a few steps from HR when I ran into Dominic Stephens, the manager.

“Mr. Clark! Emergency meeting. Ms. Kain wants all senior staff in the conference room right away!”

Before I could respond, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

The room was already packed when I entered.

Tracy stood at the front beside the projector. She looked sharp in a tailored business suit, hair pinned up neatly, not a trace of last night’s messiness in sight.

Her eyes flickered slightly when she saw me, but she quickly masked it.

Standing behind her was Harry, dressed to the nines, flashing a practiced, polished smile.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Tracy began. “We’ve gathered you all here today to announce an important personnel change. After discussion with the board, we’ve decided to appoint Mr. Harry Williamson as the new Director of the Marketing Department. Effective immediately.”

The room instantly exploded, and every head turned to me—some with confusion, some with sympathy, others simply stunned.

“Ms. Kain, that’s not proper procedure,” Eddie Grant from finance stood up first. “Mr. Clark has led the marketing team to double its performance for three consecutive years. He’s earned that position—”

“This is the board’s decision,” Tracy cut him off, her voice sharp. “Besides, Harry holds a degree from a top international business school and has worked as an executive for global corporations. He brings an international perspective we need.”

Despite the chaos going on, I just sat silently in the corner, saying nothing.

“But Mr. Clark knows the domestic market like the back of his hand,” Matt Schuman from sales chimed in. “He was the one who closed the North America project last month single-handedly!”

“Louie has done great work,” Tracy said at last, finally looking my way, but her gaze felt cold and distant, like I was just another name on a spreadsheet. “But the company needs fresh blood to keep growing. Besides,” she paused, “Mr. Clark’s recent performance hasn’t been up to standard. I doubt he can keep up with the pressure of the role.”

Only then did I stand up slowly. “You’re right, Ms. Kain. I haven’t been at my best lately. I agree. I’m no longer fit to serve as Director.”

Dominic was already breaking into a nervous sweat.

“But Mr. Clark, the South American clients only trust you. And you’re the one who understands the entire new product rollout!”

At that, a wave of agreement rippled through the room.

Facing a lot of disagreement, Tracy’s face shifted slightly. She hadn’t expected this many people to side with me.

“Quiet!” she snapped, slamming her palm against the table. “This company doesn’t belong to one person alone! Louie’s contributions are undeniable, but the board’s decision stands. Harry will take over as Director. End of discussion!”

"Ms. Kain," I called, then stepped forward and placed an envelope on the table. “My resignation.”

Upon hearing that, the room fell into dead silence.

Tracy stared at the paper, her face turning pale.

She hadn’t expected me to do this in front of everyone.

“Louie, you—”

“One more thing,” I interrupted.

Louie's POV

Cutting her off, I pulled out a thick folder from my briefcase.

“These are all my client contacts,” I said, placing the documents in front of Harry, “along with everything related to the new product launch. With Mr. Williamson’s experience, I’m sure he’ll handle it just fine.”

The smile on Harry’s face instantly froze.

He clearly hadn’t expected me to hand over years of hard work so cleanly.

“Mr. Clark!” A few veteran employees stood up, visibly upset.

“You can’t just leave like this!”

“The company needs you!”

I faced them and gave a deep bow. “Thank you, all of you, for your support over the years. Goodbye.”

As I turned to leave, I saw Tracy open her mouth, like she wanted to say something.

But when Harry gently reached for her hand, she stopped.

Afterward, I didn’t look back as I walked out.

Back in my office, I started packing my things when Harry showed up.

He leaned against the doorframe, twirling a metal lighter between his fingers, which Tracy gave me for my birthday last year.

“You pack fast,” he smirked. “Tracy said you were sentimental. Guess not.”

I didn’t bother looking at him and kept organizing the drawers.

Suddenly, he pressed down on my hand, stopping me from picking up a folder.

His voice then turned cold as he warned, “You better not get any funny ideas with those client records. If you try anything, the company will come after you.”

I shook his hand off, not even using much force, but he staggered dramatically backward, all the way to the window.

Somehow, the lighter in his hand just so happened to catch the curtain.

Flames shot up instantly, and smoke poured into the office.

I froze in shock.

“Help! Somebody help! He’s trying to kill me!” Harry screamed like a madman, lunging toward the curtains to make sure the fire caught his sleeve.

Outside, I heard rushed footsteps.

Then the door burst open, and Tracy and her secretary rushed in.

The moment she saw the fire, her pupils shrank in shock.

“Louie! Are you out of your mind?!”

Like a furious lioness, she stormed toward me and shoved me with all her strength.

My head slammed hard against the sharp edge of the desk, and a bolt of pain exploded through my skull.

At that moment, the room spun, and my ears rang.

Just before I blacked out, I saw Tracy throwing herself at Harry, beating at the flames on his arm with her jacket.

“Call 911! Quick!”

“Harry! Harry!”

The sharp smell of antiseptic filled my nose as I slowly opened my eyes.

A blindingly white hospital ceiling then came into view.

My head felt like it had been split open, as if someone had been pounding it with a hammer.

“You’re awake?”

A cold voice drifted over from beside the bed.

I turned my head slowly, and there, Tracy stood by the window, arms crossed.

Her makeup was flawless, but the dark circles under her eyes said she hadn’t slept at all.

“Thanks to you, Harry has second-degree burns. I never thought you could be so vicious, Louie.”

Despite the accusation, I didn't say a word and simply closed my eyes again.

Seeing me calm, her expression faltered, but it quickly hardened again.

“Arson and assault. That’s enough to land you in prison for years.”

She pulled a document from her purse and then tossed it onto the bed.

“Sign it. I had the lawyer redo the divorce agreement. For the sake of what we had, I might be able to convince Harry to drop the charges, but only if you leave with nothing.”

I flipped through the document.

The last page was already signed, her elegant signature sitting neatly on the line.

“Fine.”

I picked up the pen and signed without hesitation.

With one final signature, our seven years of love were closed.