Where Flames Consume Love

The instant I received the message from the HR department, I felt utterly relieved. It meant that the last possible connection between me and Frank would also be completely severed.

As I still had to complete the handover, I picked a day to return to the company.

I suddenly noticed a trending article while browsing the internet on my way there. It was an article about the original designer of Sky's Heart, Winston Group's newest product, being replaced.

Johanna's name had been swapped out with mine.

I didn't understand why the news was trending. When I saw the relevant interview, the puzzle pieces instantly fell into place.

In the video, Johanna was biting her lip and had tears in her eyes, looking reluctant. "I was the one who wanted to give Ms. Cowell the credit for this design. She didn't bully me, so please don't put her on the spot."

The video's comment section was practically filled with verbal attacks against me.

"This is too much! How could she take the credit for someone else's design? How shameless can she get?"

"Johanna looks like she's been getting pushed around in the company. A weak woman like her probably wouldn't dare to speak up against any bullying she faces."

"Can the president of Winston Group come forward and handle this matter? There's workplace bullying going on in your company!"

My heart beat faster and faster as I read through all these comments. As my head continued to spin, the car arrived at the company building.

The company building was currently surrounded by a large crowd. Countless people had gathered by the entrance to demand an explanation for Johanna's situation.

Someone noticed me getting out of the car and yelled, "The bully's here!"

They rushed fiercely toward me. Some tore at my hair and clothes while others started beating me up. I could only curl up on the ground in pain, protecting my face and stomach.

Just then, a light yet firm shout rang out a short distance away. "What are all of you gathered here for?"

That was Frank's voice. My eyes widened, and I tried to crawl to my feet to call for help. However, one of the people around me covered my mouth, preventing me from making a sound.

There were countless cameras focused on Frank.

"As president of the company, Mr. Winston, shouldn't you take action against the workplace bullying incident that occurred within your company?"

"We're here to demand justice for Johanna! We also hope you'll provide us with an explanation and make that woman return the credit for the necklace to Johanna!"

Frank nodded minutely. "I'm already aware of the situation and will be dealing with it, so please leave. You're disrupting company operations."

I was still pinned to the ground and watched helplessly as Frank prepared to enter the building.

I used all my strength to bite the hand over my mouth, which finally gave me a chance to call for help. "Help! Save me!"

However, I was quickly pinned to the ground again, and my mouth was once again covered.

I saw Frank pause through the gaps in the crowd.

"Was someone calling for help?"

Hope instantly flared up within me. I prayed that he would step into the crowd and notice me.

Yet, Johanna's voice soon rang out from beside him. "My leg's starting to ache, honey. Let's hurry inside."

I saw Frank smile before picking her up in a princess carry and walking straight into the building.

From beginning to end, he never noticed my heavily wounded figure among the crowd.

It wasn't until security intervened and dispersed the crowd that I was finally rescued. I called an ambulance and lost consciousness after being lifted into it.

When I next woke up, I saw dozens of missed calls on my phone—all from Frank.

After calling him back, I immediately heard his anxious voice on the other end. "Where are you right now, honey? Why didn't you pick up the call for so long? I was beside myself with worry!"

I opened my mouth, then paused. In the end, I lied calmly, "Sorry. I was attending a party at a friend's place, and my phone ran out of battery."

Frank seemed relieved to hear that. He said in a gentler tone, "As long as you're alright, babe. I'll officially announce your identity at the company's celebration banquet tomorrow night. Don't worry. There definitely won't be any accidents this time."

I simply hummed in acknowledgement.

Frank seemed caught off guard by my indifference and didn't know what else to say. After a long and awkward silence, he finally added, "You should hurry home then, honey. I'll miss you every second that we're apart."

Of course I would go home, but only to pick up my packed luggage.

After returning to the villa and making sure everything was packed up, the only thing I left behind was the signed divorce agreement on the bedside table.

It didn't matter whether Frank was willing to sign it. If he weren't, I would divorce him through legal means.

As a final touch, I intended to leave him a surprise.

I wouldn't attend the company banquet, but I would send someone to publicize all the evidence I had gathered on Frank's infidelity during this time.

After making all the arrangements, I arrived at the villa's backyard.

I lit a fire there and threw all the photos Frank and I had taken over the years into it—photos we had taken while vacationing at the beach together, photos of us kissing on our wedding day, photos we took to commemorate climbing to the top of a mountain…

The photos quickly curled and blackened in the flames. Eventually, they turned to ash and scattered away with the wind.

It was just like our marriage, which once seemed unbreakable but was now nothing but lies and betrayal.

I stood where I was, watching the fire grow smaller and smaller until the last ember was extinguished.

I felt no nostalgia or reluctance, only calm and relief.

I then picked up my suitcase and took a taxi to the airport without looking back.