“Okay, okay, I’m going to check how Jason’s part of the project is going. You should hurry and see if there’s another project you can grab...”

She seemed afraid I’d change my mind and didn’t dare linger for another second.

I took a deep breath. The cold screen in front of me still showed my carefully crafted business proposal — and those blinding signatures: Claire and Jason.

My phone rang again. Claire’s name flashed across the screen.

I picked up, keeping my voice as even as possible. “Hello.”

“Ethan...”

Her voice came softly through the receiver. “How’s the new proposal coming along? Any ideas yet?”

“Drop the fake concern, Claire. I’ve been sitting for less than ten minutes.”

“Oh, right.”

She paused, completely ignoring my sarcasm. “That’s perfect then — hold off on that and help Jason and me with something first.”

A cold laugh rose in my chest, though my face stayed expressionless. “What is it?”

“You know, the project from before.”

She spoke naturally, as if it really had become “their” project.

“Even though we’ve submitted the proposal, we still need five printed, bound copies for the review meeting.”

“Jason and I are swamped and can’t spare a minute. You haven’t found a new project yet, so can you go downstairs to the print shop and get them done for us?”

Printing. Binding. Running errands.

The proposal I spent three sleepless nights finishing — taken, signed by someone else — and now I was supposed to be their unpaid errand boy.

When I didn’t immediately respond, Claire’s tone turned urgent.

“Ethan? Did you hear me? It’s just a small thing — don’t tell me you’re going to refuse again? We’re colleagues, we should help each other out, right? Jason really can’t get away right now...”

My fingers felt icy around the phone.

I could faintly hear Jason’s voice in the background before Claire replied to him sweetly, “I’ll be right there.”

“Oh, and make sure the cover is printed on premium cardstock so it looks professional. Don’t use regular paper. Pay first — we’ll settle up later.”

Her instructions were meticulous, like she was talking to her assistant.

“Thanks! Once I’m done, I’ll take you out for something nice to eat and make it up to you. Gotta go!”

She hung up without waiting for an answer.

Almost immediately, my phone lit up again — Jason’s latest social media post.

No caption. Just two movie ticket stubs and a red heart emoji.

Location: Downtown Luxury Cinema.

Seconds later, Claire’s like and comment appeared beneath it:

“So nice to take a break from work together. Feeling so happy!”

My finger hovered over the screen for a moment.

Too busy? Couldn’t spare a moment?

So this was what they were busy with — going to the movies together, posting heart emojis, while expecting me, the one they stole from, to clean up after them?

I stared at the post, then typed my comment:

“So your ‘too busy to breathe’ schedule is just snuggling in a movie theater? Impressive.”

Moments later, my phone buzzed violently — another call from Claire.

Her panicked voice burst through the speaker. “Ethan! What is that supposed to mean? Why did you comment like that?”

“What did I comment?” I asked flatly.

“I only stated what I saw. Didn’t you tell me yourself you didn’t even have time to print materials?”

“You—!”

Claire faltered, then snapped back, more unreasonable than before.

“Ethan, why are you being so petty?”

“Jason worked so hard for this project — he’s exhausted, under so much pressure. I just went to see a movie with him to help him relax. What’s wrong with that? Do you have to be so passive-aggressive?”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

“Claire, say that again — with a clear conscience.”

“What exactly did he work hard on? Was it the all-nighters we pulled together, or stealing someone else’s work with a straight face?”

“Ethan! Don’t talk like that!”

Her voice was full of accusation.

“So what if I asked you to print some materials? Was that enough to justify you posting that on social media and embarrassing us?”

“What will Jason think when he sees that? Why do you have to make a scene and ruin the mood?”

I stayed silent, listening to her quickening breath on the other end.

A few seconds later, her tone softened, almost coaxing.

“Okay, okay, it’s not a big deal. Look, once I’m done, I’ll go to a movie with you — just the two of us, alright? Don’t be mad...”

“Got it.”

I spat out the words coldly and hung up first.

Talking to her any longer made me sick.

The day before the promotion review, everyone in the office was tense — except me.

“Hey, man.”

A falsely familiar voice called out.

Jason’s face carried an exaggerated look of concern, though his eyes glimmered with barely hidden glee.

“Ethan, are you ready for tomorrow? Your new proposal... do you want me and Claire to take a look?”

“Even though we’re busy, we can make time to help.”

Claire chimed in:

“Yeah, Ethan, how can you be so calm at a time like this? Where’s your proposal? Did you make the slides? Open them — we’ll help you polish them.”

I leaned back in my chair slightly.

“Proposal? I don’t have one.”

Jason’s fake sympathy turned to theatrical shock.

“What? How is that possible? You didn’t prepare anything? Then tomorrow—”

Claire’s face changed instantly.

“Ethan! What are you talking about? No proposal? What have you been doing these last two days?”

“I told you to hurry and work on a new project! Were you just ignoring me?”

Her voice grew louder and louder, drawing curious glances from nearby colleagues.

I spun my chair lazily.

“And how exactly is it any of your business whether I have a proposal or not?”

Claire flushed with anger.

“How is it my business? Weren’t we supposed to get promoted and buy a house together? Did you forget everything we planned? If you walk into that review tomorrow with nothing, what are you going to do?”

“If you can’t get promoted, if your salary stays the same, are you just planning to live off me? Eat my food, spend my money, let me carry all the pressure alone?”

“Ethan, how can you be so selfish — not even thinking about our future?”

I looked at her angry face — and suddenly, I laughed.

Who was it that first forgot all the promises we made together?

And who was it that gave up our future for someone else’s career?

Me, relying on her to support me?

That was the funniest joke I’d ever heard.

Claire glared at me, bewildered. “What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?”

I let the smile fade from my face. “Claire, my future is my own responsibility. I’ll figure it out — no need for you to worry.”

“How exactly are you going to figure it out? With what?”

She clearly didn’t believe me, her voice thick with derision.

“At a time like this you’re still being stubborn? Ethan, can’t you just face reality for once?”

“I’m telling you right now — if you don’t have a proposal tomorrow, we’re done. I’m not going to support a deadbeat like you.”

It sounded like a final ultimatum — cruel and decisive.

“Claire, don’t say that to him...”

Jason gently grabbed her arm, his voice full of fake consolation.

“Ethan, maybe you’re just exhausted lately. Maybe you just need a break. It’s just... what a shame about this opportunity — you two could’ve been promoted together...”

Then he took a deep breath, like he’d made a great sacrifice.

“Claire... maybe we should just give this project back to Ethan?”

“After all, he worked so hard on it... I-I don’t mind if I don’t get promoted...”

He put on a show of noble self-sacrifice.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Claire immediately cut him off, her tone sharp and decisive.

“Jason, you put so much effort into this project. Some people can’t even secure a new project on their own, so they just want to take credit for yours?”

She got more and more agitated.

“Jason, you’re just too kind! There’s no discussion — this project is yours! No one’s taking it from you!”

Watching her twist the truth so righteously was almost laughable.

“Are you two done performing?”

I stood, my gaze sweeping over their faces.

“How I handle not having a proposal is my problem.”

“As for breaking up? Do whatever you want.”

“Everything else — we’ll see tomorrow at the promotion review.”

Claire gave a short, cold laugh, her eyes full of contempt.

“Fine. I want to see what trick you think you can pull.”

“Don’t forget — tomorrow morning before nine, make sure to print five copies of our business proposal and deliver them to the boardroom. Not one less!”

With that, she grabbed Jason and stormed off.

The next day, the promotion review meeting started as scheduled.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, I could see Claire and Jason seated near the front, casting nervous glances at the door.

Finally, the general manager called out:

“Next, the team of Jason Lee and Claire Adams.”

I gently pushed open the boardroom door and walked in, empty-handed, calm and steady.

Every pair of eyes turned toward me.

Claire’s gaze immediately locked on my empty hands — her tension turned instantly into fury.

“Ethan! Where are the copies you promised to print for us? Where are the five bound proposals?”

Jason stood up as well, his tone urgent.

“Ethan, how could you do this? You clearly promised yesterday — even said you’d print them on premium cardstock...”

“Now I’m the only one holding a copy. How do you expect the board to judge us? Are you trying to humiliate us?”