Knock knock knock.

There was a knock at the door. I looked up and saw a tall, slender man standing outside.

"Miss, are you okay? Do you need help?" The man appeared to be in his thirties, wearing casual athletic clothes, his posture tall and straight.

I propped myself up and stood, reminding myself that this was a public place, and I shouldn't delay the normal flow of things.

I shook my head and said, "I'm fine, sorry to take up your time." I turned to leave.

A few seconds later, I heard the man calling from behind, "Miss, you dropped your card!"

I waved my hand, not turning around.

What use could he have for the card? To remind me that I'm a complete fool? To remind me that I've been living in lies all this time?

I walked aimlessly down the street, surrounded by bustling crowds and the endless flow of cars, but I felt completely detached from it all.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Since I started working, my phone had never been set to ringtone mode.

The caller ID displayed "Manager Jason."

It might be the result of the year-end evaluations.

I had worked diligently all year, taking no more than 30 days off, with countless overtime hours. Manager Jason had promised to help me apply for the year-end evaluation and possibly earn me a bonus.

Considering my empty wallet now, any bonus would at least provide some comfort.

I took a deep breath to steady myself and answered the call, "Hello, Manager Jason."

"Amelia, there's something I need to tell you," Manager Jason's voice was calm, but I had a bad feeling.

"What is it, Manager Jason?" I feigned calmness.

"About the evaluation. you didn't make it," Manager Jason sighed. "The boss's nephew got selected."

"Amelia, we can see your effort, but unfortunately, it didn't work out this time. Keep at it, and next year's evaluation will definitely be yours."

"Okay, Manager Jason. I'll work hard," I said, calmly hanging up the phone.

What else could I say? Argue with Manager Jason? What difference would it make?

It was just... a little sad.

Family was a disappointment, and now work was a disappointment too.

Thinking about how I'd have to go back to work tomorrow, I felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. I decided to indulge myself for a moment and pulled out my phone to send Manager Jason a message:

"Manager Jason, I've finished all the work I had on hand. I'm thinking of taking my annual leave. Do you think that would be alright?"

Within three minutes, Manager Jason replied: "Amelia, take a good rest. When you come back, we'll get back to work. I have high hopes for you."

I gave a bitter smile and quickly submitted a leave request through the company system. Despite many overtime hours going unapproved, I found that I had 15 days of leave plus compensatory time off.

I clicked submit without hesitation.

Three minutes later, the notification popped up: Manager Jason had approved the request.

For a moment, I wasn't sure whether to feel happy or sad.

Happy that I now had so many days off. Sad because it became clear that I wasn't as indispensable as I thought.

The reason I hadn't taken leave earlier was because I had always believed that the company wouldn't run without me. But now, I realized it didn't really matter.

I suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the version of myself who had worked tirelessly.

At that moment, I didn't know yet that this wasn't the worst of it.

I couldn't go home, and I didn't need to work overtime. For a moment, I didn't know where to go. I checked the time-it was already six.

Lucas should be off work by now, so I decided to pick him up.

It used to be me working overtime while he waited for me downstairs at the office. This time, I had some free time, so I thought I'd surprise him and go pick him up.

On the way, I stopped at a familiar flower shop and bought a bouquet.

Romance knows no gender, right?

While swiping my card, I pulled up the hidden messenger account linked to a bank card my family didn't know about.

Thanks to my best friend,Sarah, who dragged me five years ago to open a new bank account and repeatedly told me not to tell anyone about this card. She also made me set this card as the default for my bonuses and some freelance income.

Over the years, this card had accumulated quite a sum.

I was grateful to myself for not telling anyone about it.

Otherwise, I'd probably be a truly pitiful person-disappointed in both family and work, with an empty wallet and no home to return to.

Though things were still pretty bad now, at least I still had money.

I carefully picked out the bouquet, then went to a nearby beauty store and spent some money getting my makeup done. Afterward, I took a taxi to Lucas's office building.

I had planned to surprise him, but what I didn't expect was that I would be the one receiving the "surprise."

At 6:30, Lucas appeared downstairs from his office.

I straightened my clothes, holding the flowers and preparing to give him the surprise.

But just as I took a few steps, I saw a well-dressed woman running toward him, spinning around and throwing herself into his arms.

The next moment, they kissed.

The flowers fell from my hand, and I stood frozen in shock.

Two blows in a single day were already too much. Who would have thought that fortune wouldn't come in twos, but misfortune surely wouldn't come alone?

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and recorded a video. At least this way, I wouldn't have to explain why the money for the house was gone.

Now, work had failed me, family had failed me, and now love had failed me too.

I couldn't say I was heartbroken anymore. At this point, I felt numb.

The things that used to support me seemed to have disappeared all at once.

I once had a happy family, a stable relationship, and a promising job. But today... today, in less than a day-hell, not even twelve hours-I discovered that the once-happy family was a bubble, the seemingly stable love that was supposed to lead to marriage was already shattered, and what I thought was a promising job was just someone else dangling a carrot in front of me.

Once, I was busy with work every day, then spent time after work on my relationship, and after that, I'd enjoy time with family.

But now, I had nowhere to go, nothing to do.

I found a McDonald's and ordered a kids' meal.

While eating, I played with the toy that came with it, zoning out.

After finishing the pitiful little burger and snack, I ordered another burger meal.

I hadn't eaten fried chicken in six months because I wanted to look good for the wedding.

But now? Who cares.

After eating the fries and licking my fingers, I checked for the next available flight to the city I'd wanted to visit for the past three years-Asheville.

I didn't need to pack anything. I'd buy whatever I needed when I got there.

Though I didn't have much money, I figured it would be enough to get me through the next few days.

As for what would happen after that, I'd cross that bridge when I came to it.

No use thinking too much about it. Once, I thought about marrying Lucas, about what kind of wedding dress I'd wear and what kind of celebration I'd have.

But what was the point of preparing so much? Things that weren't under my control never would be.

Just then, Lucas's call came through.

Thinking about how he had just kissed another woman made me feel disgusted.

I wanted to reject the call, but then I thought I should at least hear his explanation, so I answered it: "Hello?"

Lucas's voice was as deep and pleasant as always: "Amelia, what are you doing?"

"I'm eating. I'll be working overtime later. How about you? Have you eaten?"

I don't know if it was my imagination, but when I mentioned working overtime, I felt like Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm also working overtime. You should rest early tonight and not overwork yourself."

Hearing him say he was working overtime made me sneer internally. "Overtime, huh? You're too busy kissing your new girlfriend."

After hanging up, I sent him the video I had just recorded and added a simple message: "Let's break up."

Then, I blocked all his contact details.

I didn't care to go back and figure out when exactly he strayed. It didn't matter. Just like why I didn't get the year-end evaluation-none of that mattered now. All I wanted was to enjoy this rare moment of free time.

After finishing everything, I let out a satisfied burp, handed the toy to a little kid who had been eyeing it, and left to catch a taxi to the airport.

At least I had my ID with me.