Chapter 2

Looking at his hand resting on Bella’s shoulder, I let out a cold laugh.

"Pierre, what do you think you’re doing?"

The whispering colleagues instantly fell silent. The office went dead quiet.

Pierre raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

"Ellis, I’m doing this for the company morale. Don't be so narrow-minded."

"Everyone was having a great time until you started throwing a tantrum. Do you always have to ruin the fun?"

As soon as he finished, Bella clapped her hands and spoke up loudly:

"Everyone, who should we thank for these amazing gifts today?"

A chorus of "Thank you, Pierre!" echoed through the office.

Bella and Pierre shared a tender, lingering look right in front of me.

My coworkers started staring at me, whispering loudly enough for me to hear every word:

"Pierre and Bella look so much better together anyway."

"Does Ellis really think she's the queen of this place just because of a marriage certificate?"

"I heard Bella is his true love!"

"Yeah, Ellis was just forced onto Pierre by his family."

"She acts like she owns the place, but she’s just riding Pierre’s coattails."

I felt a sudden pang of regret, thinking about all the late-night business dinners, the endless business trips, and the multi-million dollar contracts I had secured for this company.

I must have been out of my mind.

In his eyes, I was nothing compared to his high school sweetheart.

In the eyes of his employees, I was just a useless burden.

Our marriage was arranged to merge our family empires, sure, but I didn't steal him from Bella.

When we first got married, we had our sweet moments, though they always felt a bit distant.

We both played our roles perfectly—the ideal wife and the supportive husband.

But a few years ago, when my family's business hit a major financial crisis and I asked him for help, he blew me off.

"Don't bring your family drama to me," he had said coldly.

Since then, I never mentioned the Hendersons' business to him again.

And his attitude toward me turned freezing cold.

Later, when his own company was on the brink of collapse, he begged me to join and save him.

So I did. I worked myself to the bone, saved his company, and made it thrive.

I actually thought we were building a real relationship. Until Bella came back.

He brought her into the company and didn't even bother to hide his affection for her anymore.

Staring at the 999 blooming roses, I didn't want to waste another breath. I grabbed my bag and walked out.

Behind me, Bella's smug voice drifted through the air:

"Ellis, leaving early without permission counts as an unexcused absence! I’m docking your pay!"

I didn't turn around. "Go ahead. Pierre and I are married. What’s his is mine anyway."

"You...!"

The elevator doors closed, shutting out Bella's fake, whimpering voice.

I walked into a local florist, wanting to buy some flowers to cheer myself up.

I picked a beautiful bouquet and went to pay, but my card was declined.

I apologized to the cashier and immediately called Pierre.

But when the call connected, it was Bella's sweet, annoying voice on the other end:

"Ellis, you walked out and embarrassed Pierre. He just froze your cards. Did you figure it out already?"

"Honestly, you're such a gold digger. All you know how to do is spend his money."

I didn't want to deal with her high school drama. I just wanted to pay for my flowers.

"Put Pierre on the phone."

"Sorry, Ellis. Pierre is with a very important client. He doesn't have time for you."

Another one of her lies.

I hung up, completely losing my appetite for flowers.

I apologized to the florist and walked out into the street.

I wandered aimlessly until the sky suddenly turned dark and a heavy downpour started.

My whole world felt gray.

When I finally got home, the house was pitch black, except for the flickering candlelight in the dining room.

There was Bella, wrapped in Pierre’s arms. They were kissing passionately.