<
“Let’s leave it at that for today. We’ll be in touch.”
Arlo wanted to say more, but was blocked by Chen’s assistant.
“Mr. Graham, this is far enough. Thank you.”
The group bowed respectfully as they left, their steps never faltering.
As the people at the dinner table dispersed, I shook my head at the sight of Sage, who had drunk herself into a stupor.
Just as I was about to walk past, she grabbed my arm.
Sage’s eyes were full of hatred as she looked at me.
“Why do you keep haunting Arlo even though you’ve broken up?”
I laughed in disbelief, not understanding.
“I went to work in Paris immediately after we broke up. I haven’t contacted Arlo once since then.”
“This is the first time we’ve met since breaking up.”
Sage clearly didn’t believe me.
“Then why does he always look at your photos after fighting with me?!”
I felt only mockery in my heart. I hadn’t expected Arlo would still think of me.
He had only realized the one that got away wasn’t as perfect as he remembered, now that he was living the mundane daily life with her. That’s why he missed the obedient, caring me.
I suddenly found it a bit laughable.
In a man’s heart, what he can’t have is always the best.
When he was with me, Arlo thought of his first love Sage day and night.
And now that I had left, he apparently missed my good qualities.
At the root of it all, Arlo loved no one but himself.
I shook off Sage’s arm and smoothed out the wrinkles in my sleeve.
“The investment deal was almost finalized today, but you’ve ruined it all.”
I calmly stated the facts, coldly observing her disheveled state.
“This was Arlo’s last chance to turn things around. If it falls through, he’ll be blacklisted in the industry and will never be able to work in this field again.”
“How is that possible?”
Sage collapsed to the ground, her beautiful eyes losing focus.
“I just wanted to see him. He hasn’t been home for days.”
“I admit I lied to him, but I really do like him!”
“Besides, I’m already pregnant with our child.”
I was shocked into silence by her words. I hadn’t expected Sage to be pregnant, yet she had drunk so much alcohol today.
She started crying hysterically, occasionally dry heaving from the excessive alcohol consumption.
11:46 AM
<
I walked around Sage and out the door, finding Arlo smoking in the hallway.
Arlo had his back hunched, leaning against the wall with a troubled expression.
Smoke curled around him, obscuring his face, but I knew he must be feeling utterly dejected.
The cooperation that was about to be successfully negotiated had completely fallen apart. His last chance to save himself had been wasted.
I was about to walk past when he called out to me.
“Zinnia,”
Arlo’s voice was hoarse from smoking, his expression indescribably lost.
“I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
He seemed to be talking to me, but also reminiscing.
“I always took your devotion for granted before, my mind obsessed with thoughts of Sage every day like I was possessed. I let my friends make jokes about you, and even said a lot of awful things behind your back.”
Arlo smiled bitterly:
“That day, even though I knew how severe your cat allergy was, I still insisted on saving face and ended up sending you to the hospital. I really screwed up badly, driving such a good person away from me.”
“Yes,”
I reminded him flatly,
“That day I nearly went into shock, and you just dropped me off at the hospital and left.”
“You were busy rekindling things with Sage.”
“I regret it, Zinnia!”
Arlo closed his eyes in pain, hunching over in a pleading posture.
“I originally thought being with Sage would fill the void in my heart, but after getting together with her I realized my feelings for her were just
an obsession, not love. I mistook that emotion for love, hurting you again and again because of it, until you finally left me.”
As he spoke, he suddenly took out the engagement ring I had thrown away from his pocket.
“Zinnia, I’ve only just realized that you’re the one I love. Every day since you left has been torture for me. I’m begging you, I’ll cut things off cleanly with Sage. Come back to me and let’s start over, okay?”
Arlo had a pair of deep, soulful eyes that I had fallen for countless times before.
Now those eyes were rimmed with red, glistening with unshed tears.
But I only felt disgust and nausea.
“It’s impossible between us, Arlo.”
I smiled mockingly, pointing towards Sage inside the room.
“And did you know? Your precious ex is pregnant with your child. She drank so much alcohol today too.”
I watched his shoulders slump instantly, his expression dumbfounded.
“You’d better find a new job and focus on supporting your family.”
“All of this is entirely your own doing?”
11:46 AM ·
With that, I strode away without a backward glance at Arlo.
Arlo’s cooperation with VP Chen fell through, while our project progressed smoothly.
With this collaboration secured, I could once again fight for more benefits for my team members.
Headquarters promised that this year–end, our entire group’s bonuses would be doubled.
As for me, I was promoted again to General Manager of the Service Department, also a Vice President of the company.
My career was soaring, my path clear and unobstructed.
On the day of the celebration party, my assistant Emma came to gossip with me again..
She knew what had happened at that dinner, and I had told her the whole story.
“Zinnia, I know you don’t care about Arlo and Sage anymore, but the aftermath is so satisfying, I have to share it with you!”
I raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of red wine.
“Sage’s pregnant, right? Arlo has been trying to get her to have an abortion this whole time, refusing to acknowledge the child is his! He’s insisting she’s still involved with her ex–husband and is trying to trap him!”
I was speechless, never imagining Arlo could be so heartless.
When in love, he had put Sage on a pedestal. She was the apple of his eye.
He wouldn’t allow anyone to be compared to Sage, even abandoning our three–year relationship to get back together with her.
But now that Arlo could barely take care of himself, with all the pressure from work and life weighing on his shoulders alone,
He naturally no longer needed that idealized ex who was only good as a trophy.
This wasn’t true love. True love wouldn’t crumble so easily.
“And Arlo is being held accountable by his old company. They want him to pay back the cash flow gap, about 4-5 million dollars.”
He’s been blacklisted in the industry and can’t even find a high–paying job. Who knows how long it will take to pay off that debt.
Emma wasn’t done yet when the CEO suddenly called my name:
“Our company’s growth this year is thanks in large part to our VP Zinnia. Let’s invite her up to say a few words!”
I stood on the stage, the spotlights converging only on me.
My colleagues below cheered and applauded, everyone’s eyes focused on me.
My mind drifted a bit.
Half a year ago, I was still drowning daily in the pain my relationship had caused me.
My defenses had been pierced by the one I loved deeply, leaving me wrapped in lies and betrayal, afraid to move forward.
Thankfully, work threw me a lifeline, rescuing me from that desperate situation.
I didn’t lack the courage to restart my life.
Thinking of this, my eyes grew warm, tears welling up:
“Thank you to the company for cultivating me. I will continue to progress hand in hand with this big family unconditionally!”
Thunderous applause erupted around me as I broke into a genuine smile.
Below the stage were rows of friendly, warm faces. Everyone applauded for me as Emma shouted “Zinnia is the best!”
After the party ended, I saw Arlo lingering at the hotel entrance.
It was winter now. Arlo wore only a coat, his face pale, looking unwell.
His whole body seemed deflated, his back hunched. The coat that once fit him perfectly now hung loosely on his frame.
Upon seeing me, a glimmer of joy finally flashed in Arlo’s dull eyes.
“Zinnia, I heard the cheers from inside.”
“You’re doing really well now.”
“Yes, I’m doing better and better since leaving you.”
I smiled faintly, hands in my pockets.
“You don’t look so good though.”
Arlo instantly dropped his guard, his expression twisting as he began lamenting his miserable circumstances.
Not only could he barely find work now, but he was drowning in debt. His parents back home had even sold their house, scraping together every penny to help him repay the money.
I listened quietly, finally offering a faint smile:
“You can’t blame anyone else. This is all the result of your own choices.”
Then I got into the company car, watching Arlo collapse to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
The car stopped in front of my apartment building. I strolled home alone, reflecting on everything that had happened over the past six months.
It was late at night, the streets empty with few people around.
Suddenly, my cheek felt cool. I looked up.
The sky was dark. A light snow began to fall, carried on the night breeze. Wisps of cold air brushed past my body as snowflakes danced in the wind.
The first snow of the season had finally arrived.
I smiled contentedly, my steps growing lighter.
With hope in my heart and stars in my eyes, I believe my life will only get better from here.
I will turn my faith into the courage to chase my dreams, always writing the most dazzling leading lady storyline in the script of my life.
