Chapter 2

Ryan's assistant, Tommy, was well aware of the relationship between me and Ryan.

When he saw me walk in, he rushed over, trying to pry apart the tightly clasped hands of Ryan and Chloe.

But Ryan's grip was iron-strong, and no matter how many times Tommy tried, he couldn't separate them.

Under my intense stare, Tommy looked embarrassed. He said to me, "Ms. Summers, please don't get the wrong idea. Mr. Carter just drank a little too much and got confused."

Then he leaned close to Ryan's ear and whispered something. Ryan slowly cracked his eyes open, looking at me in a drunken state. "Hey, you showed up," he mumbled, slurring his words. "Let me introduce. This is Ms. Chloe Grant, our company's new director."

Hearing Ryan's introduction, Chloe didn't seem bothered by what was going on. Instead, she flashed me a bright smile.

"Hello," Chloe said. "Ryan and I have known each other since we were kids. He's always been like this to me. Don't mind him."

Looking at how close and comfy they were, honestly, if this were me before this morning, I'd be losing my mind right now. I'd totally snap, charge in, rip their hands apart myself, and start demanding Ryan tell me what was going on.

But now, I didn't even feel like saying a word. I just curled my lips into a half-smile as my response.

Trying to ease the tension, Tommy awkwardly chimed in, "Ms. Grant, this is Ms. Jocelyn Summers, Mr. Carter's fiancée."

"Shut up. You talk too much," Ryan suddenly snapped, frowning at Tommy like he'd just woken up from a daze.

I thought I was keeping it together, but when I heard that, my body still swayed a little.

It felt like something was squeezing my chest, making it ache sharply.

Ryan had always said our engagement was just between the two of us. He didn't want to let it out to the public.

I knew he was a rising star in the business world, while I was just a nobody, stuck in a lab, totally out of the spotlight.

He said his family wanted him to marry someone who could help boost his career with money and connections.

So I let it slide. We kept our engagement a secret, and I never even got to meet his family.

I was honestly just a clueless fool, believing marriage was only our business. As long as he loved me, I convinced myself everything else would be fine.

But the brutal truth was that he never loved me.

Chloe raised a toast to me, saying, "Hi, I'm Chloe Grant."

Before she could even take a sip, Ryan reached over and snatched the glass right out of her hand.

"Your stomach can't handle alcohol. I told you not to drink. Why won't you ever listen?" Ryan asked.

Chloe just set the glass aside and patted him on the head, like she was comforting a kid.

"Wow, after all these years, you still remember my stomach issues? Alright, I'll pass on the booze," Chloe replied.

Watching Ryan look at her with that gentle concern, I felt that my mind went totally blank. All I could feel was this miserable, damp heaviness flooding my chest, spreading everywhere, and leaving me hollow inside.

Seven years ago, when Ryan and I first started dating, he'd just inherited the company, and honestly, everything was a total train wreck.

He was out night after night, drinking himself through endless client dinners until he was puking his guts out.

I couldn't stand seeing him like that, so I always volunteered to go along, sticking by his side.

Never caring about my own stomach ulcer, I'd step in and take the bulk of the drinks for him every single time. Once, I even ended up in the hospital, throwing up blood for his sake.

But all he ever offered were a few empty words, never actually stopping me from stepping in for him when it came to drinking.

I used to tell myself he was just thoughtless.

But the reality was that he didn't care about or love me at all.

For seven years, I convinced myself that he cared, but in an instant, my hope was crushed by his brutality.

I steadied Ryan, who was wasted beyond belief, and tried to haul him up so I could take him home.

But Chloe came out after us.

Ryan was still clutching her hand, refusing to let go.

"Sorry," Chloe said with a little shrug. "He's always clingy when he's drunk, and he won't release my hand. Let me go with you and help get him into the car."

After a struggle, I finally managed to shove Ryan into the back seat. Chloe immediately leaned over, fussing over his shirt and straightening his tie carefully.

I quietly watched her finish. Then Chloe offered me her business card with a half-smile.

"I'm the new director at Ryan's company, and we've known each other for years," she said casually. "Here, my number and WhatsApp. If you ever need anything, just let me know. No need to stand on ceremony."

I pressed my lips together and kept my mouth shut, slipping into the car without another word.

The business card she'd shoved into my hand felt scorching hot in my palm.

So this was the woman Ryan had spent eight years with, the one he couldn't stop dreaming about.