Carl Grant was going to marry his first love.

Although Rosalyn Jones had been with him for seven years, she didn't throw a fit, even personally organizing a grand wedding ceremony for him.

However, on the day of his wedding, she put on a bridal gown too, and their wedding cars crossed paths along the highway.

As the brides exchanged bouquets, Carl heard Rosalyn telling him, "All the best!"

He chased her down for miles before finally catching up to her, and he was breaking down in tears as he held her. "No, Rosalyn… You're mine!"

That was when a man alighted and took Rosalyn in his arms. "If she's yours, then who do I belong to?"

I've Waited for Seven Years

Rosalyn Jones looked outside the window as she finished writing her resignation letter.

For seven days, the gigantic electronic billboard across the street had been playing Carl Grant and Zoe Quayle's wedding announcement on loop.

Everyone kept saying how Carl loved Zoe to a fault, but no one was aware that Rosalyn had stood by Carl's side for seven years.

It started when she was eighteen, and she was now twenty-five—she had truly given him the best years of her life.

But now, it was time for her to leave the stage as he was marrying someone else.

And after his wedding day, she would no longer be a part of his world.

Nonetheless, Rosalyn eventually tore her eyes from the screen, folded the resignation letter neatly, and inserted it into a white envelope just as her office door opened.

Carl entered, a couple of buttons beneath his black shirt loose, and the black trousers accentuating the length of his attractively long legs. There was also a distinct vigor in his step, making his noble presence all the more impressionable.

That reminded Rosalyn of the first time she saw him—he was wearing a black shirt too, nursing a beer in a quiet corner of a bar, looking distraught like a homeless mutt.

His family had just gone bankrupt at the time, and he had to sell his watch just to get money for a drink.

At that time, it was Rosalyn who bought it back for him and took him with her.

As it turned out, things that fell didn't necessarily stay down—Carl eventually pulled himself together for a grand resurgence and ascended as one of Cromwell's most eligible bachelors.

"Why didn't you reply to my messages?" he asked, his cool gaze on the envelope Rosalyn was holding.

Rosalyn held on to the envelope in one hand and pointed outside the window with the other. "Just looking at your wedding announcement video."

Carl's gaze darkened. "What's so interesting about that? You're the one who put it together."

Indeed, she had—she had chosen every photo of him and Zoe, finalized the design, and personally written a romantic script.

Back when Carl had first asked her to help, he said, "Rosalyn, you have to do this yourself—Zoe doesn't trust anyone else."

Although he and Zoe had only formally started dating three months ago, they had met during their school days, but were separated when the Grant family went bankrupt and Zoe's family went abroad seven years ago.

But when Zoe and her family returned to Mediana three months ago, Carl quickly rekindled their relationship and even proposed to her publicly.

Before that, everyone around Carl presumed he would marry Rosalyn after she stayed by his side for seven years.

She was convinced that would be the case too, when he asked her to choose a ring she liked three months ago, and she picked one that was her own size.

But that night, as the dazzling fireworks erupted in the skies over the city, he told Rosalyn, "Give me the ring."

With that, Rosalyn watched as Carl went down on one knee and slid the ring that she had spent so much time choosing onto Zoe's finger.

Even through the booming fireworks, she heard him tell Zoe, "For seven years, I've waited for this moment. For over two thousand five hundred days and nights, you were always on my mind."

At that very moment, Rosalyn could feel her heart blowing into a million different tiny sparks just like the fireworks overhead, never to be pieced together again.

Carl said that Zoe had always been on his mind for two thousand five hundred days and nights.

In that case, what about her? When she worked to build an empire with him every single day? When he called her drunk? When he slept, holding her in his arms?

What did all that time she had spent with him mean to him?

But she never asked this question—if anything, she didn't have to, because his proposal to Zoe was the answer.

So what if she had stayed by his side for seven years? To Carl, all those moments paled in comparison to those heart-racing memories he and Zoe shared in their youth.

What was more, he had never actually promised her anything in those seven years—it was all an illusion in her mind.

She certainly couldn't blame him now that her hopes had been dashed.

Still, Rosalyn gathered her scattered thoughts and looked up at the man she had loved for seven years.

"How can I help you, Mr. Grant?" she asked calmly.

"You're coming with me to Quayle Mansion tonight," Carl replied. "You know what to prepare."

"Yes, Mr. Grant," Rosalyn replied.

As his assistant, she was always ready to oblige any request he had.

Carl studied her just then, his gaze seemingly piercing her as he had the nagging feeling that something was off. "Rosalyn…?"

Still, he caught himself and stopped, as he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Eventually, he simply said, "You haven't smiled much lately."

Rosalyn was almost surprised—it was rare for Carl to notice such a thing, especially when he was so obsessed with Zoe.

Still, she quickly curled her lips to flash a formal smile. "I will be more mindful next time, Mr. Grant."

"Rosalyn." Carl sighed softly then. "You're my assistant, and that's not going to change for anything. And you have a promotion to deputy CEO to look forward to next year."

Promotions from secretary to CEO's personal assistant and to deputy CEO in a span of seven years were almost impressive.

But Carl simply had no idea that these responsibilities were not what Rosalyn desired.

All she wanted was to be Mrs. Grant, but that was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy now.

"Okay." Rosalyn smiled, accepting the promotion.

For the past seven years, she had accepted everything he had given her and never begged for anything he didn't give.

But somehow, Carl felt even more uncomfortable, and his eyes narrowed coldly at her. "Obviously, that's on condition that nothing goes wrong before that—especially my wedding."

Rosalyn nodded and assured him, "Understood, Mr. Grant. I will do my best to put together the perfect wedding for you and Ms. Quayle."

Carl stared at her intently for a couple of beats and eventually glanced at the envelope she was holding.

He paused and asked, "What's that?"

She's the Best

Rosalyn replied, "It's a resignation letter."

She would never lie to him, even if it was a white lie, as what he hated most was being lied to.

However, that left Carl's expression darkening. "Just let HR sort it out from now on, no matter whose resignation letter it is. Don't waste time on anything beyond your job description—if you have time to spare, why not go spend time with your grandma?"

And with that, he turned to leave.

Rosalyn's smile faded as he closed the door behind him. "But it's my resignation letter, Carl…"

-

At six in the evening, Rosalyn headed to Quayle Mansion with Carl.

Zoe came running to their car as they stopped, smiling at Carl with both joy and shyness.

On the other hand, the white dog in her arms didn't seem to like Carl very much and was barking at him incessantly.

"Quit it, Eggy. It's Daddy," Zoe chided.

That left Rosalyn pursing her lips, and she sneaked a glance at Carl, as he never liked cats or dogs since he was allergic to their fur.

Even so, she was left watching as he tapped the dog's head at the very next moment. "Feisty little thing, aren't you? Bark at me again, and I'll tell your mommy to send you away."

Rosalyn felt her own heart swelling with bitterness—she used to own a cat, and even though she mostly kept it caged, he had told her to send it away because of his allergy.

Now here he was, being all nice to Zoe's dog and touching it.

It was almost like his allergies were automatically cured when it was someone he actually loved.

Zoe giggled just then. "Come on, Carl. My parents are waiting inside."

She was a dancer and naturally had a slender, graceful figure. Her voice and eyes were also filled with tenderness—what man wouldn't take pleasure in such gentle charms?

Even as a woman herself, Rosalyn couldn't help staring at the woman.

Nonetheless, while Zoe and Carl walked on ahead, Rosalyn and the chauffeur quickly unloaded the bags and boxes of gifts they had brought along.

It was an important formality, as Carl had come to meet Zoe's family to discuss the finer details of their wedding with her parents.

As everyone sat down in the living room, Rosalyn sat in a corner, notebook in hand and taking notes, looking professional and dutiful.

Lawrence Quayle, Zoe's father, eventually said, "Well, that's all we can think of."

But at that point, every page in Rosalyn's notebook was already filled.

However, Zoe's mother, Allison Quayle, appeared concerned. "Are you sure you've written everything down, Ms. Jones? Did you miss anything?"

"Don't worry, Mom." Zoe smiled as she turned to Roslyn. "Haven't you heard people saying that it's easier to get yourself a Carl than a Rosalyn? Carl has kept her by his side even after so long precisely because she's the best."

As she finished, she wrapped her hands around Carl's arm and tugged. "Right, Carl?"

"Yes, there's no reason to worry when Ms. Jones is on the task," Carl said.

However, he was shooting Rosalyn a glare, a clear threat that she had better not mess up.

As Zoe had put it, Rosalyn had been by his side for so many years, flawlessly helping with everything from business to private matters, be it important or trivial.

That was why Rosalyn was fine with anyone else doubting her, but not Carl.

And he had to threaten her with that!

The coldness in her disappointed heart grew even colder just then.

"Oh!"

That was when Zoe exclaimed in realization and turned to Rosalyn with a smile. "Ms. Jones, would you mind becoming my bridesmaid? Come on, Carl—ask her!"

Rosalyn thought about her itinerary for that day. "Sorry, but I'll be busy."

Still, Zoe ignored her and purred, "Please, Carl—clear her schedule and make her my bridesmaid! I'd like to see her wear a bridesmaid dress and stand by our side, to witness the moment of our happiness."

Rosalyn almost sighed out loud right then.

Despite Zoe's gentle and almost harmless appearance, there was no question that she was a master at mind games. She clearly knew that Rosalyn was a rival and had her sword at the ready to cut her down…

-

On the way home, Rosalyn was silent, while Carl kept rubbing between his brows wearily.

When they reached Maple Park, Rosalyn alighted and nodded at Carl formally. "Goodnight, Mr. Grant."

"Wait—get me some ointment. My allergy is acting up," Carl said, loosening his tie right then to reveal the rash that had already covered his neck.

Who Says You've Been Dumped?

Rosalyn refused. "You should get a doctor instead, Mr. Grant."

The crease on Carl's brow deepened—it was the first time she had ever said no to him!

Without another word, he grabbed her by her wrist and dragged her into his villa, slamming the door loudly shut.

"Don't think I can't see that you're upset," he growled with an icy glare.

So he was aware.

And yet, he'd still let her suffer.

The bitterness in Rosalyn's chest swelled so much that her nose turned runny. "You had every part of me for seven years, but you dumped me in a flash, and now, you're telling me I'm not supposed to feel upset?"

There wasn't so much as a warning when he left her for Zoe. Even if he only considered her a tool and wanted to marry another woman, he could at least have the courtesy to say so.

But Carl never did, as he was immediately and publicly dating Zoe in a flash, and right before Rosalyn's eyes.

As if she really was just an ordinary assistant to him.

"Who says you've been dumped?" Carl snapped.

Still irritated by his allergies, he pulled at his collar buttons forcefully, with each snapping audibly as they fell off, baring his chest and revealing more rashes.

Rosalyn had been there when he suffered episodes in the years before and knew how much pain he was in.

Although her inner voice told her to walk away—that whatever happened to him was none of her business—she couldn't help getting the allergy ointment, since she couldn't bear to see him suffer.

As she applied the ointment, Carl grasped her hand as he said, "Rosalyn, I never said I'm leaving you, and you said you'll never leave me. That's a promise neither of us must forget."

So he remembered that—and here she thought he had forgotten.

She had quickly been taken by his good looks after she took him home, and they spent much of the following days eating, sleeping, and having sex in her rented apartment.

That was until one day, neither of them could afford anything.

After that, Carl worked as a mascot, wearing a giant fluffy costume to sell snacks to children on the streets, using what money he had to buy her food.

That was until he collapsed from heatstroke one day.

When Rosalyn asked him why he had gone that far, his exact words were, "I can't let my woman suffer with me."

That one line claimed her heart, and she stayed with him for the next seven years, dedicating her heart and soul to him. Even she couldn't deny that he had also rewarded her with everything good that he could give.

There were times when her other friends were skeptical about Carl's affection, and she would confidently tell them that Carl would never marry anyone else other than her.

As it turned out, reality always had a painful way to expose itself to those who were in denial.

In the end, Carl was marrying another woman.

Under the dim lights, Rosalyn's eyes glimmered as she asked, "Don't you see the irony in saying such things when you're marrying someone else?"

"You're the one I want to marry," Carl told her, caressing her cheek with his other hand. "You'll understand what the deal is with Zoe during the wedding.

"You were there for me throughout the darkest moments of my life. No one could ever replace you."

Taking her hand and kissing it, he leveled his dark, inscrutable eyes at hers as he continued, "Just remember—whatever you think I have with Zoe is no more than an act. You have to believe that I will always love you… Can't you believe me?"

No, she refused to believe him.

If he had actually wanted to marry her, then he just had to marry her after all the successes he had achieved in the past seven years.

"Carl…"

However, Carl's phone rang before she could finish, and she saw that it was the nursing home calling.

No! She must have left her phone in the car!

And if the call was from the nursing home, it must mean something had happened to her grandmother.

Quickly picking up the phone, she answered, "Hello? Yes, it's me… Okay, I'll be right there..."

She turned to Carl as she hung up.

Her grandmother had nagged her about wanting to see Carl, but she really wasn't sure about bringing him along.