Pay for Your Lies

Zoey sent me a photo of Julian massaging her foot. From the knot between his brows, it was clear he was genuinely concerned about her.

As I began typing on my keyboard, she sent another message.

"By the way, Ms. Jones, thanks for preparing my welcome party. I love your office as well!

"You're coming to my party, right? If not, it'll be such a shame for you to miss the surprise Mr. Grant prepared for me.

"Or… is it because you can't bear to see how much he's smitten with me?"

My fingers stilled. I turned off the screen, then I went to the party with my resignation letter in hand.

The moment I showed up, the room, which had been loud just seconds earlier, immediately fell silent.

My colleagues exchanged glances, then all turned their eyes toward the couple in the center of the private room.

Julian was downing a glass in one gulp, his expression unreadable. His gaze flicked toward me for a brief moment before he looked away. Zoey was leaning against him, her leg in a cast.

Flashing me a triumphant smirk, she said, "Ms. Jones, you're finally here. Come, have a seat.

"My foot's injured, so I can't drink. Poor Mr. Grant had to drink for me instead."

She was wearing a custom-made gown, with a string of pale pink pearls adorning her neck. I recognized that dress—it was one I'd once seen in a photo on Julian's phone.

Back then, I foolishly thought he was planning it as a birthday gift for me. Looking back now, I doubt he even remembered today was my birthday.

Ignoring the strange looks from my coworkers, I walked toward Julian with a file in hand.

"There's an urgent document that needs to be signed as soon as possible. Can you sign it first?"

Zoey covered her mouth and giggled. "Ms. Jones, you really don't know how to let loose, do you? To think you brought work to a party!"

I ignored her sarcastic remark and fixed my gaze on Julian instead.

He glanced at the file, his voice softening slightly as he replied, "Let's not talk about work tonight."

"It's urgent," I insisted, leaving no room for negotiation.

Only then did he finally meet my gaze.

As we reached an impasse, Zoey chimed in, "Mr. Grant, maybe you should take a look. Ms. Jones won't be able to relax until you do."

A few seconds later, Julian took the file. After confirming it was nothing more than a document, he signed it promptly.

A smug grin crossed Zoey's face as she tossed the file back into my arms.

"Ms. Jones, Mr. Grant always said you're a strong, capable woman. Looks like your reputation holds up. Maybe I should become your apprentice… You could teach me a thing or two."

I glanced at the signed resignation letter and sneered. "I wouldn't dare take you as my apprentice. I'm afraid Mr. Grant would be too distressed."

Julian frowned and shot me a cold look. Suddenly, he rose and strode out of the private room.

The tension in the air thickened, but I didn't care.

I handed the resignation letter to Winnie and finalized the paperwork on the spot. Then, under the curious stares of my coworkers, I walked out without looking back.

Just as I stepped out of the bar, Winnie sent me a video.

"Ms. Jones, Zoey must've lost her damn mind."

In the video, Zoey had her arms around Julian's neck and was kissing him right in front of everyone as they cheered them on. The kiss lasted only three seconds, but that was enough to ignite the whole room.

"Ms. Jones, what does Mr. Grant even see in her?" Winnie continued, unable to stop ranting. "She's got no skills or connections at all. Making her the vice president is an absolute joke!

"I'm seriously worried about the company's future."

While I comforted her, I recalled how Julian had always been measured in everything aside from his defiant side when he swore to marry no one but me.

We'd been together for ten years. I thought time had made him more rational, but Zoey's attitude made it clear to me that I was no longer the one who could stir anything in him.

I left the company group chat, sent Julian a breakup text, then blocked him everywhere.

Just then, a black Maybach pulled over to the roadside. The window rolled down, revealing a familiar face.

"Get in."