Gabriella's POV

I heard Clara apologizing to the man, her voice sickly sweet. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I wished the earth would just swallow me whole. My world felt like it was crumbling around me, and I couldn't do a single thing to stop it.

How was any of this my fault? I didn't burn his sister on purpose. I wasn't careless. It was just... an accident.

A bitter groan slipped past my lips as I stumbled down the busy street, trying to hold myself together. Around me, the tall buildings seemed to mock me, towering over me like silent judges. People rushed past, everyone busy with their own lives, while mine felt like it was falling apart piece by piece.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Ben's number. It went straight to voicemail-again.

My heart sank. "Well, at least I can pay him a surprise visit," I whispered to myself, sliding my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. A tiny, fragile smile touched my lips. "He'll be there for me... as always."

I hailed a taxi with the very last few bucks I had. When the driver rolled down the window, I leaned in, desperation lacing my voice.

"Please, take me to the Harris Enterprise building," I said.

As the cab sped through the streets, I stared blankly out the window. Ben and I had been together for six years. He was my high school sweetheart-the boy who became my whole world. I had dreamt of growing old with him, of sharing a simple, happy life. Even when things were tough, I clung to the belief that love was enough.

He'd been there for me during my darkest moments-or so I thought.

When we finally arrived, I tossed the driver the crumpled bills and rushed inside. The lobby was quiet, almost too quiet. My eyes darted to the receptionist's desk, but it was empty.

"That's strange," I muttered under my breath.

As I walked down the hall toward Ben's office, a faint sound reached my ears-muffled noises.

I froze.

At first, I couldn't make out what it was, but then the sounds grew clearer: moans. Rhythmic, breathless groans.

My blood turned to ice.

No... no, it can't be.

My feet felt like lead as I approached the door. My hand trembled violently as it wrapped around the cold doorknob. Slowly, I twisted it open-just a crack-and what I saw on the other side shattered me.

Ben.

My Ben.

He was in the middle of the office, his shirt half-off, his body pressed against his secretary, Ivy.

They were so lost in each other they didn't even notice me standing there.

My breath caught in my throat. A huge, painful lump lodged itself there, suffocating me. I wanted to scream, to storm in and rip them apart, but my voice betrayed me. Not a single sound escaped.

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. My fingers tightened around the doorknob, and I forced myself to close the door quietly, as if doing so would undo what I had just seen.

But the universe was cruel.

"When are you going to dump Gabriella?" Ivy's sultry voice drifted through the thin walls, slicing me open like a knife.

Ben's reply was soft, almost dismissive.

"Soon, my love. I just... I don't want to hurt her more than I already have. She's been through so much, and I felt sorry for her. That's the only reason I stayed this long. But I can't keep living a lie. I'll call off the wedding soon."

My knees buckled.

Felt sorry for me?

The words flashed through my skull, drowning out everything else. The man I had loved for six whole years, the man I trusted with every fiber of my being, had only been with me out of pity.

My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a sob. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall-not here. Not for him.

Six years of my life. Six years of promises, laughter, sacrifices. All of it, gone.

I didn't even realize I was running until I was outside, my legs carrying me blindly down the street. The cool wind slapped against my tear-streaked face as I gasped for air.

Hadn't I suffered enough already? First losing my job, now this?

I thought Ben was my safe haven, my rock. Instead, he'd been my biggest lie.

Emily's apartment came into view, and I bolted toward it, nearly tripping on the stairs in my haste. I knocked frantically, trying to swallow my sobs, telling myself over and over that I wouldn't cry. Not for him.

The door swung open, and there was Emily-my best friend, my sister in everything but blood. Without a word, she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Gabriella! What happened?" she gasped, ushering me inside. Her arm draped over my shoulders as she guided me to the couch.

Her apartment was warm and inviting, with soft pink walls and little decorative touches that screamed her personality. It always felt like home here.

I curled up on the sofa, hugging my knees to my chest. The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

"It's Ben. He... he cheated on me," I whispered, and finally, the tears betrayed me, sliding down my cheeks. "And I... I got fired today."

Emily's jaw dropped. "Oh, Gabby, no! You don't deserve this. That jerk! I always had a bad feeling about him."

I let out a strangled laugh, bitter and broken. "You should've seen them, Emily. He didn't even hesitate. I thought we agreed to wait until marriage, but he didn't care. Maybe it's because I'm still a virgin."

Emily shook her head firmly. "No, sweetie. This isn't about you. It's about him being a lying, cheating piece of trash."

She pulled away and rummaged through a drawer, returning with a folded poster.

My tear-streaked face scrunched in confusion. "What's that?"

"I was going to try this myself, but my schedule's insane right now." Emily handed it to me. "There's a job opening at a company called The Smith Group. They're looking for a personal assistant to the CEO. Rumor has it he's young, powerful, and ridiculously handsome. Maybe this is the fresh start you need."

I took the poster, my hands trembling slightly as I scanned the details. The words seemed to blur together, but the mention of a paycheck was like a lifeline.

"Thank you," I breathed. "I... I really need this. My grandma's medical bills keep piling up, and she's getting weaker every day."

Emily's warm hand covered mine. "How's she doing? Did the surgery happen yet?"

I shook my head, biting my lip to keep it from trembling. "No. I haven't been able to pay for it, and she's fading, Emily. I'm terrified of losing her."

Her eyes softened with sympathy, and for a moment, I felt seen.

But I forced a shaky smile and changed the subject. "The poster says the interviews are tomorrow. I'll visit her later today then prepare for the interviews tomorrow morning ."

Emily studied me carefully. "I know you're hurting, Gabriella. You don't have to talk about it now, but just... know I'm here for you."

I nodded, pretending to yawn and stretch. "Let's make some cookies," I said, needing to distract myself from the storm inside me.

We headed toward the kitchen, but before we could start, my phone buzzed.

Ben's name flashed across the screen like poison.

My stomach twisted painfully.

With a sharp breath, I declined the call. My chest ached as I stared at the screen, hoping-against my better judgment-that he would call again.

Minutes passed.

Nothing.

I let out a bitter scoff and tossed the phone onto the counter. "Why did I even expect him to care?" I muttered to myself, my voice laced with hurt and anger.

There would be no more tears for Ben.

Not anymore.

"Ben Harris, From today. you are dead to me." I grittled my teeth.

Gabriella's POV

Later that day

I walked through the hospital doors. My stomach knotting at the thought of seeing my grandma so weak. The sight of her lying there, pale and frail, made my knees feel like jelly.

"Hi, Granny," I said, forcing a smile as I held her hand. "How are you feeling today?"

She tried to sit up, her frail arms trembling. "I'm fine, baby. Don't look so worried."

I swallowed hard. "You don't look fine to me. You're... you're too weak."

She chuckled softly. "I've been through worse. Now, tell me-have you eaten today?"

I shook my head. "I barely had time... things have been... complicated." I stopped myself before saying too much. I couldn't tell her about Ben or losing my job-not now. She didn't need that on top of everything.

She smiled, a faint but warm smile. "Granny just hopes you get married before I die," she said, her voice weak but determined. "Promise me you'll get married, Gabriella."

I blinked back tears and nodded firmly. "Nothing will happen to you Granny." I wiped away a few tears.

She chuckled weakly, "Look at me Gabriella, I am serious. I need to know you won't be alone when I'm gone, Your grandfather and I were separated years ago by that dreadful fire. I know how it feels to be alone. Please promise me, find a nice man to settle with."

I let out a sigh and held her hand gently, "Okay, I promise."

Her eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand. "That's my girl. Don't cry, you're stronger than that."

I let out a shaky breath and forced myself to stand, heading toward the front desk to settle the bill. My hands trembling as I was hoping for a better negotiation with the hospital. The smith hospital was the largest in the city, also the only place which had the medical personnels trained enough to help grandma with her cancer.

My eyes widened in disbelief. "What the...?" I muttered under my breath, my voice shaking. "Ben... he... Locked me out from our joint account ?!"

I always knew it was a bad idea, he promised me that we would be saving money together. Even though I put in every penny I earned from work for grandma's surgery, I still deserved a share.

I pressed my hands to my face and pinched the bridge of my nose. "I'm... I'm broke. Just... completely broke," I whispered to myself, the words tasting bitter. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I felt like I couldn't breathe.

I turned to the nurse behind the desk, trying to force a calm tone. "I-I'll pay soon, please. Just let her go through with the surgery. She... she can't wait. Please."

The nurse shook her head firmly, her expression unreadable. "I'm sorry, Miss Brooks. We cannot proceed until full payment is made."

I felt my stomach drop. "You don't understand! I just need... a little more time. She's... she's very sick! Please, don't make her suffer!"

"I'm sorry," the nurse said again, her tone firm but not cruel. "Hospital rules are rules. No payment, no surgery."

I looked around, desperate. The hospital corridor seemed suddenly huge and suffocating, full of people who didn't know me, didn't care. My fists clenched so tight that my nails dug into my palms. "There has to be something I can do..." I muttered to myself. "A loan, a payment plan, anything!"

The nurse folded her arms. "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do without authorization from the finance department. You'll have to come back with full payment."

I slammed my hand lightly on the counter, catching a few startled glances. "Full payment?! Do you know how much that is to me? Do you know what my life is like? She's my grandma, for god's sake!"

The nurse didn't flinch. "I'm sorry. Rules are rules. We can't make exceptions."

Then I saw the grumpy man who had me fired, he by passed me like he didn't just destroy my life. My only chance of saving my grandma.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, a mix of frustration, fear, and helplessness. I could feel tears prickling my eyes. "I... I'll figure something out. I promise," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I clutched the poster in my bag like a lifeline. "I'll figure something out, I swear."

I stepped back from the counter, letting out a shuddering breath.

I tried following the man, so that I can give him a piece of my mind, but the lobby was crowed. I lost him within seconds.

"Why does everything have to happen at once?" I murmured to myself, feeling the weight of my empty wallet and broken trust settle heavily on my shoulders. "First my job, my ben, now this... what else? Can't I just be some heiress with tones of money?" I murmured silently, stomping my feet angrily.

I walked back to my grandma's ward, feeling like I was carrying the weight of the world. I sank into the chair beside her bed, forcing a fake smile. "Hey, Granny... want to hear something funny?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? What now?"

I leaned closer and began rattling off a ridiculous story about my morning shift at the coffee shop, the one where I accidentally spilled coffee on a customer. I exaggerated it just enough to make her giggle.

She laughed softly, and I almost cried with relief. "You always know how to make me laugh," she said.

I held her hand tighter. "I'll always make you laugh, Granny. No matter what."

As her laughter faded, I whispered to myself, "How am I going to get the money? I can't even pay for the surgery, and I just... I just lost my job."

I looked at her again, forcing a smiling through my fear.

"Granny... I promise. I'll figure this out. I won't let you down."

"Check on all the cancer patients, throughly." I heart the man's voice again, I wanted to bolt up and see where he was, but grandma held my hand gently, her smile trapping me instantly.

Gabriella's POV

The next day, I woke up earlier than usual.

The interviews were on, I stared at the poster Emily gave me, and reminded myself: this could be my chance to do something for grandma. The only person who raised me after my parents death. She deserved the world. I was running out of time and I had to act fast.

I made sure I read through the poster.

Cash advance if hired.

It was an opportunity I couldn't waste.

However, my mind kept drifting to Ben and his gruesome betrayal. My stomach churned immediately, I felt like puking.

I blinked away a few tears, I wasn't going to mess up my mascara again crying over that jerk.

I cried myself to sleep last night, cursing at him, seeing his posts about Ivy, he had no shame in admitting that he was cheating on me.

His words played in my mind constantly, I didn't want someone dating me out of pity.

The cold wind brushed against my skin and I shivered, I regretted leaving my sweater at home.

......

When I stepped outside, the taxi ride felt longer than it should have. I kept looking out the window at the towering buildings of the financial district. I had never been anywhere like this before. The sidewalks were filled with people in sharp suits and heels, I swallowed nervously.

The building itself took my breath away. Its lobby was massive, and a receptionist desk that looked more like it belonged in a hotel than a corporate office. I hesitated at the entrance, feeling out of place in my plain outfit, clutching my small handbag tightly.

"Relax, Gabriella. You've got this," I whispered to myself, stepping forward.

I felt eyes on me. I turned to see a woman standing near the elevator, her expression frozen in thinly veiled judgment. She was tall, blonde, perfectly put together in a fitted designer dress, heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. Her lips curled into a smirk as she glanced me up and down.

"Well, that's... an interesting choice for an interview," she said in a sing-song tone, her voice dripping with mockery.

I froze for half a second, then straightened my back. "Interesting? Thanks. I like to stand out," I said, raising an eyebrow.

Her smirk faltered. "You... you really do know how to make an entrance, don't you?"

I crossed my arms, refusing to let her rudeness slide. "Well, someone has to bring some originality. Not everyone can wear designer dresses and heels, you know."

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise and then narrowed. "Excuse me? Did you just-"

"Yes, I said it," I interrupted, my voice firm. "If you're trying to intimidate me, it won't work."

Her face flushed, and she stormed toward the elevator, muttering under her breath. I couldn't help smirking to myself, feeling a rush of satisfaction. One problem down.

Taking a deep breath, I had never interviewed at a place like this before-luxurious, professional, intimidating.

I stepped into the waiting area. Immediately, I noticed a line of women who looked like they had walked out of a fashion magazine. They glanced at me as I walked in, I felt their whispers prick at me.

"What is she wearing?" one of them murmured, a high, nasal tone that made my skin crawl.

"She... looks like she just came from the grocery store," another added, laughing softly.

"The CEO will definitely throw her out."

murmurs erupted but I didn't care.

I straightened my shoulders. "Good for me," I muttered under my breath. "At least I'm not a fake doll."

They snickered again, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

From behind the glass doors leading to the CEO's office, I could hear snippets of voices. Some were hushed, some were sharp. I caught the sound of someone crying. My stomach sank.

"Crying?" I whispered to myself, curiosity mingled with a pang of dread. I couldn't see who it was, but the sound made my palms sweat.

"What the hell...?"

A moment later, one woman istepped out. Tears streaked her flawless makeup as she wiped her face and muttered angrily, "That man is impossible! I can't deal with him!"

I felt a shiver run through me. Was this normal? Who was this ruthless CEO that made everyone tremble?

I glanced at the poster again, there was no face. only names.

John Smith.

From the rumours, he kept a very low profile. He also owns many hospitals, companies and many more.

A tall gentleman called my name.

I adjusted my skirt and smoothed my blouse. "It's my turn," I muttered to myself. "Just be yourself. Show the CEO what you can do. Don't let him scare you. You've survived worse than this."

And as the CEO's door loomed in front of me, I whispered one last reminder to myself: "You can do this. You will do this. For grandma."

As I entered and gently closed the door. My eyes immediately landed on the arrogant man who got me fired.

Oh shit.

My heart pounded. Palms sweaty.

"You!" He growled. His eyes narrowing at me.

"What the fuck?!" I said through grittled teeth.