Chapter 3

The burning pain shot through my nerves. I bit down hard on my lip, holding back the urge to cry out as I slowly pushed myself up off the floor.

Before I could even stand steady, I heard Edward bark, "Harder! Teach her a real lesson, make sure she knows who's boss around here!"

The second slap hit, even harder than the first.

Blood spilled from the corner of my mouth, the taste thick and metallic spreading between my teeth.

The third slap sent my head lurching to the side, my hair a tangled mess, leaving me utterly disheveled and humiliated.

"That's it! Got it now? Emily, remember, never let anyone bully you!"

After the slaps, Edward looked at Emily with a satisfied, doting smile. "In this company, it's just you and me. If Sophia ever steps out of line, you teach her a lesson just like that. As long as I'm here, you have nothing to fear."

"Alright, Edward. I just got here and already made such a spectacle. Let's go back to your office. I'm tired, and the baby is tired too."

Emily played the part of the spoiled woman, and Edward helped her into the office.

"Sophia, bring in a fresh cup of coffee right now. If you ever ignore Emily again, this is what happens to you. I've spoiled you rotten all these years, looks like you've forgotten your place around here."

The office door slammed shut behind them. I just stood there, numb—like I couldn't even feel the pain anymore.

Or maybe it was just that the ache in my heart hurt way more than anything my body could feel.

Five years of promises—gone up in smoke, just like that.

All the hardships I went through with him, all those sleepless nights, all the pain I endured was all just a joke.

"Oh my god, what's going on with Mr. Grant? He never treated Ms. Lane this way before."

"Yeah, that was savage. Honestly, I always thought they were a thing. Who would've thought things would turn out like this?"

"Guess we really shouldn't dream about catching the boss's eye. Guys like him would never look twice at ordinary girls like us."

The employees around me were gossiping and pointing fingers, but I acted like I couldn't hear a thing. I wiped the blood from my mouth and walked to the break room to brew a cup of coffee.

"Mrs. Grant, here's your coffee."

I set the cup down on the table. Emily took a quick sip and immediately complained, "It's scalding hot! Ms. Lane, did you do this on purpose? Trying to get back at me for slapping you just now, huh?"

"I'll make you a new one."

I brought her another cup, but this time Emily barely touched it before setting it aside without even tasting it.

"Now it's too cold! Are you even trying? Ms. Lane, I get that you're upset about earlier, but that was your boss's decision, not mine. As his secretary, can't you even manage a simple cup of coffee?"

Before I could even react, Edward snatched up the coffee cup and threw it right at me.

"Sophia, you can't even get something this basic right?"

I managed to dodge just in time, and the cup slammed into the wall, shattering instantly.

Glass and coffee went flying, soaking me. One shard sliced into my calf, and blood started pouring out.

It hurt like hell.

I took a deep breath and said softly, "I'll make another cup for Mrs. Grant."

It wasn't until the fifth cup that Emily finally stopped complaining.

Back at my desk, I glanced at the resignation letter still sitting in my hands, and let out a bitter laugh. 'Guess I never even got the chance to hand it in.'

'Looks like walking away from Edward really is the best decision I ever made,' I thought to myself.