Seven Years Reduced to Data

Synopsis

At the gala, Xavier ‌Gibson publicly announced we were getting married. The entire hall erupted in applause. But what I didn't expect was that before the event even ended, I'd find myself standing outside the lounge door, staring at the projection screen on the wall. On the screen was a massive Excel spreadsheet. Behind dozens of candidate names were densely packed rating categories: housekeeping ability, bedroom endurance... In the baseline column, my name was written prominently: Jade Monroe. "Relationships are like companies," he said, casually swirling his wine. "You have to cut the underperformers." So seven years of companionship meant nothing more to him than an asset with terrible returns. I didn't burst through the door to confront him. Instead, I turned and walked to the end of the hallway, pulled out my phone, and sent a text to a number at the bottom of my contacts. "I'm ready to honor the terms from ten years ago." Three seconds later, came the reply. "Finally giving up on that scumbag? Let's register our marriage tomorrow then." Jade Monroe's POV Xavier had just publicly announced our engagement on stage, with everyone applauding and offering congratulations. But what I didn't expect was that before the gala even ended, I'd overhear him at the lounge door, discussing how to dump me. The door wasn't fully closed. I'd come to bring him tea, only to catch sight of the projection screen on the wall. Displayed on it was a massive Excel spreadsheet. "Xavier, is this really how you choose a wife?" The voice of his business partner, Mr. Davis, drifted out with a hint of mockery. "You've literally turned wife selection into a competitive hiring process." I stopped in my tracks and peered through the gap