Chapter 3

During that time, Andrew lingered intimately with me every night, just like always.

But the more I paid attention, the more signs I found that he was hopelessly in love with Mia.

On the day of the party, he was out the door before sunrise.

For the first time ever, I chose to disobey him. I showed up at the party alone, my nerves buzzing, but determined not to back down.

The whole event was about choosing the lead designer for this year's big fireworks show.

I just wanted to say a real goodbye to my mentor before I disappeared from everyone's life for good.

Just as I walked in, I spotted Andrew and Mia.

They were practically glued together.

I headed straight for them.

Andrew's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw me, but he slipped right back into his usual gentle act. "Hey, I didn't expect to see you here."

I forced a smile. "So what, am I not allowed at parties now?"

He set his glass down and, without missing a beat, casually stepped away from Mia.

"Of course you are. I just didn't want this to distract you from your work," he said.

Mia gave me a loaded look, her eyes saying more than words ever could.

"Hey, Harriet. Long time no see," she chirped.

I just nodded, not bothering to reply.

But she didn't let up. She kept pushing, her words sharp beneath the smile.

With a smug smile, she said, "So, Harriet, any guesses who's landing the lead designer role this time?"

I gave her a cold, hard stare.

Actually, yesterday, when I was going through the safe, I found more than just the diary and the phone.

I also found proof.

Andrew had copied my old fireworks designs from my computer and sent them straight to Mia.

If I was right, the design she was about to present was really wasn't hers, but mine. It was barely changed and now stamped with her name.

The guests nearby watched our tense exchange, gossiping in hushed voices.

"Hey, isn't that Mrs. Foster? I heard she used to design fireworks, but she hasn't put out anything new in years," someone muttered.

"Please, she's totally outclassed by Mia. Mia's the ace at Sparkfire Group," another snarked.

I clenched my fists, fighting back tears.

After we got married, Andrew said he didn't want me working myself to the bone. He just wanted me to stay home and take it easy, promising he'd handle everything.

I believed him and slowly drifted away from the fireworks design scene.

Meanwhile, Mia's career skyrocketed. She became a rising star in the industry, the name on everyone's lips.

Now, the gap between us felt impossible to cross.

Was this what Andrew really wanted?

Did he want to make me feel so small, so worthless, in front of him and her?

Did he want me to lose my confidence in front of her and even in the career I once loved so much?

My mentor had already reached out to me, hoping I'd take the lead designer position.

But my mind was set on leaving it all behind. So I had no choice but to turn him down, even though it broke my heart.

Honestly, I already knew even if I stayed, that spot would never have been mine.

After all, with Andrew as the top investor, he'd always clear the way for Mia, making sure she got every opportunity handed to her.

Sure enough, the role went to Mia, just like I knew it would.

I watched her up on stage, beaming with pride, so full of herself.

They put her fireworks design up on the big screen for everyone to admire.

When I saw it, all I could do was laugh bitterly.

Of course. It was my work, plain as day.

Mia had changed it just enough that outsiders wouldn't notice.

But for me, a designer, there was no way I wouldn't recognize my own work. No one knew my creations better than I did.

It felt like a fist had gone straight through my chest, my eyes going red as tears threatened to spill.