Chapter 3

I stood there for a long time before finally speaking. "I've already booked the restaurant for our anniversary. Why did you go back on your word again?"

My voice sounded hurt and tired.

Alex paused, his brow furrowing. "Oh, I totally forgot. What do you want to eat? I can grab something right now."

But I'd reminded him this morning. I suddenly felt so disappointed.

I wasn't merely disappointed in him. I felt suffocated by the monotony of our relationship.

For the past three years, I'd been by Alex's side as his assistant, stripping away every hobby and joy I once had.

He never understood what I liked, and he never truly accepted me for who I was.

Even after the company was running smoothly, he was always polite and respectful, but never emotionally close.

I always thought he was someone I could always count on.

But in that moment, I suddenly felt so tired.

I wanted to see if his emotions would ever ripple for me at all.

"Alex, let's break up," I said.

"Why?" he asked, caught off guard.

I slumped onto the couch, too exhausted to say anything.

Alex frowned, clearly not getting it. "Just because of a cake?"

He pulled out his phone and sent me $7,000 without a second thought.

He looked down at me, his gaze cold and lofty. "Is it really worth all this drama? Go buy them. Buy as many as you want."

He looked at me like I was being unreasonable.

I stared at my phone, feeling a surge of helplessness erupting deep inside me.

But what I wanted wasn't money. All I wanted was his care and company.

Seeing how unfazed he was, I threw out a sharp retort. "You're so boring."

I walked out in a fit of anger and didn't show up at work for an entire week.

However, Alex didn't text me once.

Like a loser, I ended up crawling back to him.

I never imagined that he would move on with a new girlfriend one week later.

It turned out he wasn't some old-school, emotionally reserved guy who didn't know how to be romantic. He simply wasn't willing to put any effort into me.

When the rain finally stopped, I called Dad. "Dad, I'll listen to you. I'm coming back home next month. If you want to set me up on blind dates, I'll do it."

Getting drenched in the rain left me with a cold.

I clutched my resignation letter, ready to hand it to Alex.

Back then, I ignored my family's objections and came to Ashbourne to support Alex in his startup.

My parents said he didn't really love me. He only needed someone to look after him.

I thought I was young, pretty, and smart. How could Alex not like me?

In the end, I didn't listen to them.

I was as stubborn as a mule. Only after Alex broke my heart did I realize how wrong I was.

As usual, Alex arrived at the office early.

I pulled my coat tighter around me, trying to look composed as I walked in and handed him my resignation letter.

Alex took it, but didn't read it right away.

"You caught a cold?" he asked.

I was stunned.

"Lily, why didn't you reply to my messages last night?" he asked.

"Mr. Foster, it was past working hours last night," I said, my face completely expressionless, enunciating every single word. "I am your executive assistant, not your personal assistant."

Alex looked a bit helpless. "So, can't we be friends after the breakup? Besides, you broke up with me."

I forced a smile. "Honestly, I have no idea if moving on instantly counts as an amicable breakup."

Alex paused, his tone softening. "Yesterday I said some pretty harsh things. Look, she's young. She insisted on making it official. I gave her what she wanted. Why bother getting upset?"

He lowered his head, flipping through the report.

He suddenly looked up, his expression unreadable. "You're quitting?"