Chapter 3

"Oh, that sounds lovely in theory," Margaret said, taking a slow sip of her coffee. "But who knows?

"Perhaps you rubbed someone the wrong way at the office, and now you're paying the price.

"You took one short leave to get engaged, and your entire career fell apart.

"That tells me there are serious gaps in your skills and your judgment.

"The Harris family cannot afford to be associated with that kind of drama."

I understood then. Margaret hadn't called me here for comfort. She wanted to call off the engagement.

I shifted my gaze from her cold smile and looked directly at Ben. "Ben, do you feel the same way?"

He raised his head a fraction of an inch, still unable to meet my eyes. "Anna, my mother has a point.

"You know how things are with my family. I can't upset her.

"Maybe you should leave that job. Take some time at home and rest.

"Once the dust settles, I will sort something out."

"Sort something out?" A laugh escaped me, though it was dangerously close to a sob.

This was the man I had loved for three years. The man I was ready to trust with my whole future.

And now, in my darkest hour, he wasn't standing beside me. He was hiding behind his mother, helping her twist the knife.

"Ben, do you have a spine?" I asked.

His face went red. "Anna, why are you being so difficult? I'm trying to have a reasonable conversation here."

"Reasonable?" I stood up, looking down at him. "Where were you when I was being humiliated in front of the entire team?

"Where were you when I needed someone in my corner?

"And now you sit here with her, pointing out my flaws and telling me I'm not good enough for your name.

"Ben, is this your idea of a conversation?"

My voice had risen, and I noticed heads turning at nearby tables.

Margaret's expression turned to stone. "Anna, lower your voice. This is a public place.

"You're not even wearing his wedding ring yet, and you're already causing a scene?

"It's a relief we saw this side of you before any contracts were signed."

"Fine. Wonderful." I nodded slowly, and the last flicker of warmth inside me died.

I reached down and slid the engagement ring from my finger.

That small band of gold had once held all my dreams. Now it felt cold and meaningless.

I toss it on the table with a soft clink. "Ben. Margaret. You're correct. I was never meant for this circle.

"The engagement is off. We are done. No strings attached."

I turned and walked toward the door without a backward glance.

Behind me, I heard Margaret's sharp voice. "The nerve of that girl! Who does she believe she is?"

And then Ben's hesitant murmur. "Mom, don't you think that was a bit harsh?"

I kept walking. The moment the cool air outside hit my face, the tears started falling freely.

I walked home crying, not caring how foolish I looked to strangers passing by.

I had lost my job. I had lost my relationship. In a single afternoon, my life had crumbled from promising to pitiful.

Back in my apartment, I collapsed onto the sofa and stared at the blank ceiling. My mind was a hollow shell.

I don't know how long I lay there crying. I only noticed the time when the room grew completely dark around me.

I pushed myself upright and wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. Tears would fix nothing.

I opened my laptop and pulled up a blank document. A resignation letter. My fingers flew across the keys.

I would not spend another moment working for a man who refused to see the truth.

I never wanted to lay eyes on Charles again.

I sent the letter directly to his personal email address. Then I shut the laptop, powered off my phone, and stepped into the shower.

The hot water beat down on my shoulders, and I wished it could wash away every trace of this miserable, humiliating day.