Chapter 1

Alex Carter had struggled with a speech disorder since childhood.

That year, when he saw me as his savior, I was the one who finally got him to speak.

For years after, we were like two vines wrapped around each other, surviving in barren soil, feeding off each other's strength so close. We couldn't let go.

We both believed we could go on like this forever.

But then, on a rainy night, I turned and climbed into a spoiled rich kid's Porsche, shutting Alex's mouth for good.

"Do you really expect me to waste away here with you?" I said coldly.

Tears streamed down Alex's face, his mouth open but unable to say a single word. I looked at him, my eyes cold, completely indifferent.

Years later, when we met again, Alex was already a force to be reckoned with in the business world.

The moment we locked eyes, he had his hand around my throat and pinned me against the wall, his eyes blazing red with fury.

I hadn't heard his voice in years, and now it was laced with years of resentment.

"Laura, how dare you show your face in front of me?" Alex spat.

I managed a weak smile. I was practically dying; how could I possibly have the strength to mess with you?

*****

I looked at him, genuinely puzzled. "Alex, it's been five years. Anyone else would have moved on by now. Are you really still hung up on me?"

Alex's grip on my neck tightened, making it harder to breathe, the pressure choking me from the inside out.

"Laura, I never should've stuck my neck out to save you." All at once, he released me. I slid down the wall, gasping for breath, relief flooding through me.

This was our first encounter after all these years, and I looked pretty pathetic.

Just ten minutes ago, that business partner had me trapped in a locked private room, trying to force himself on me.

Right when I was about to give up hope, Alex kicked the door open and stormed in.

He didn't hold back. His punches came fast and hard, like a beast completely out of control.

Each blow landed with a heavy thud on the creep until the man's body finally went limp and he stopped moving.

The moment I laid eyes on Alex, it was like a lifetime had passed.

For five whole years, I couldn't count how many times he had haunted my dreams.

The man in front of me was nothing like the boy from back then, whose smile always carried a gentle warmth.

Time had turned him sharper, more fierce, and so much more distant a stranger to me now.

But still, my whole body went rigid, and I nearly broke down in tears.

I snapped back to reality, letting out a raspy laugh with breezy indifference. "Still so soft-hearted, huh? If I saw the person who ditched and humiliated me end up like this...

"I wouldn't leave her. I'd make sure the door was locked tighter."

"Soft-hearted?" Alex scoffed, stepping forward, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. "Laura, you really overestimate yourself.

"I only saved you because of Mr. Simons. To me, saving you is no different from dragging a dog out of trouble."

Alex fixed his gaze on my messy clothes, then threw his suit jacket at me. "Don't ever show your face in front of me again. Next time, I won't go easy on you."

As his footsteps faded, I slumped to the floor, a tear hitting the ground.

But that hollow in my chest felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand needles, hurting more than ever.

Well, at least he could talk now. Looked like he really moved on.

Fate was wild sometimes. I walked into the conference room like it was another day, only to spot Alex sitting right at the head seat.

The department manager was bent over, grinning from ear to ear, practically falling over himself to explain the project details.

Alex leaned his head to the side, half-listening, his fingers tapping lazily on the shiny table. His eyes swept over the projection screen. The vibe around him was icy and distant.

I was rooted to the spot at the doorway, the folder in my arms suddenly feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds.

As I stood there stunned, Alex spoke up with a casual indifference. "I'll sign the contract, but there's one condition."

His eyes drifted over, landing on me with slow, deliberate intent. "Fire her."