The day I land a hundred-million-dollar deal for the company, my girlfriend—Paisley Needham, the CEO—finally agrees to marry me.

The next day, I wait at the city hall until it closes. She never shows up.

Instead, what I get is her official announcement with her assistant, Jude Grayford. In the photo, she nestles in his arms. A crisp marriage license sits in her hand, impossible to miss.

The caption reads, "My CEO, Ms. Paisley Needham, couldn't bear to see me going on blind dates, so she just went ahead and got the marriage license with me today. I'm so happy!"

My colleagues gossip, assuming I'll be jealous and furious.

I don't. I just like the post and comment, "So, when's the ceremony? Don't forget to invite me!"

Paisley calls immediately, cursing me out.

"I just didn't want to see him being pressured into blind dates by his parents, so I agreed to get married on paper to keep them off his back. It's not like we're actually married. Do you really have to be so petty?

"Delete your comment right now and get on your knees to apologize to Jude. If you don't, I'll never marry you."

I laughed bitterly. "Even better," I say. "I hope you two have a long, happy life together… and have lots of kids."

After a moment of silence, Paisley Needham's voice burned with anger. "Remy Armer, I told you, we're just going through the motions. Are you seriously still hung up on this?"

She snapped, "I've already agreed to marry you. What more do you want? I'm warning you, don't push your luck!"

I tightened my grip on the phone, refusing to stay silent and give in like I always had before.

"Yeah, just going through the motions," I said coldly. "But even for something as simple as getting a marriage license, you wouldn't do it with me after five years together. Yet you went and did it with Jude instead."

For five years, all I dreamed of was a happy married life with her. Every time I tried to move our relationship forward, Paisley used the company's growth as an excuse. She said it was a critical period and told me to wait until things were more stable.

To help her stabilize the business, I took on all the dirty work. I worked overtime and attended endless meetings and business dinners.

When the company finally settled, she said she was too busy with work and had no time.

So I waited like that for five years.

Yesterday, I landed a project worth over a hundred million. Paisley finally agreed to get married, calling it a reward for me. I was over the moon, thinking that my patience had finally paid off.

But I stood outside the city hall until dark, and she never showed. Instead, I saw Jude Grayford's post showing off his marriage license with her.

They had even gone to another city to get the license, just so I wouldn't find out. Staring at the crisp, official marriage license, all I felt was bitter irony.

It turned out she just didn't want to marry me.

On the other end of the line, Paisley kept ranting. "Remy, are you deaf? I did it to hold onto the company's talent. Was I really wrong?"

I couldn't help but laugh. So many young employees were under pressure from their families to get married, yet she said nothing about them. Why did she care only about keeping Jude in the company?

Besides, what kind of talent was Jude? He could barely manage the simplest tasks. He didn't even know basic office software, and his performance was absurd. Half a year in, and he still hadn't closed a single deal.

If Paisley hadn't handed him my projects to pad his numbers, he would have been fired long ago. Maybe she didn't even realize how her favoritism toward Jude had seeped into every part of daily life.

Maybe in her heart, there was no longer any room for me.

Thinking about it, I let out a bitter laugh. "You're right. I've made a mistake."

Hearing that, Paisley's voice carried a hint of smug satisfaction. "Since you know you're in the wrong, delete those comments and apologize to Jude. Do you have any idea how this makes him look to everyone at the company?"

Before she could say more, I cut her off. "My biggest mistake was not breaking up with a player like you sooner."

"Remy, you're unbelievable! Fine, have it your way. You'll regret this!" she shrieked and hung up.

Moments later, my phone buzzed with notifications. She had removed me from all our shared apps. Whenever Paisley got angry, she would always do this. It was her way of forcing me to back down and give in.

But this time, I was truly exhausted. I didn't want to compromise anymore.

Just as I was about to turn off my phone, Jude tagged me in the work group chat. "Mr. Armer, Ms. Needham was just helping me deal with my parents. A boss as decent as her doesn't come around often. Don't get the wrong idea!

"If I had known it would upset you so much, I wouldn't have posted those photos on my socials. This is all my fault…"

Paisley replied right after. "Jude, you didn't do anything wrong. No need to apologize. The only one who should be sorry is that jerk who keeps throwing petty jabs."

Colleagues in the group chimed in one after another.

"Exactly, Mr. Grayford, this isn't your fault. Mr. Armer is just way too sensitive! He's jealous you're young and handsome, that's why he's spreading all these nasty rumors!"

"Ms. Needham is so kind, but Mr. Armer is just cold. How can he be so heartless?"

"Seriously! He deserved to be stood up. Well done, boss. It's about time someone put him in his place!"

Ever since Jude joined the company and Paisley made her favoritism obvious, these fence-sitters had become experts at sucking up to him. At the same time, they never missed a chance to step on me.

But I was used to it by now. Their petty insults couldn't hurt me anymore.

I wouldn't wait for a woman who never showed up or for a wedding that would never happen. I was tired of holding on to a love that never answered back.

I tossed the queue ticket aside and strode out. I hadn't gone far when Paisley called. I meant to hang up, but out of habit, my finger hit the answer button.

The moment the call connected, her haughty voice came through. "Remy, ready to admit you were wrong?"

Before I could say anything, she went on, her tone still commanding. "Don't say I don't give you chances. Jude spent the entire day traveling for the marriage, and he needs proper rest tonight. You'll take his place at the business dinner this evening.

She continued, "If you behave and do as you're told, I'll let those earlier sarcastic comments slide."

I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my palm. She seemed to have forgotten; I was severely allergic to alcohol. I couldn't drink at all.

Paisley used to remember. Whenever there were drinking events, she would decline on my behalf. And if she couldn't get out of them, she'd drink for me, coming home drunk and sick every time.

But now, the woman who once cared for me so deeply was gone.

This time, I didn't do what I always had. I no longer compromised meekly just to keep our crumbling relationship alive.

I replied coldly, "I'm allergic to alcohol. I can't go. Besides, that's Jude's responsibility. It's not my job to cover for him."

Before she could respond, I hung up and immediately called the company abroad.

"I accept your offer."

The voice on the other end sounded excited. "Really, Mr. Armer? When will you be coming?"

The owner of this company had taken a strong interest in me. He had sent multiple invitations, trying to recruit me.

Because of childhood trauma, Paisley didn't want to live abroad. Time and again, I turned down those offers, giving up promising career opportunities. All of it was just to stay with her in our home country.

I thought sincerity would be met with sincerity.

In the end, I lost completely. I had spent my youth with Paisley, weathering five years of highs and lows, only to be humiliated by her like this.

If that was how it was, then it was time I started thinking about myself.

"The day after tomorrow," I replied. "I still need some time to resign."

The other party agreed immediately. After hanging up, he even transferred the money for my plane ticket.

After ending the call, I noticed Paisley had just updated her social feed. In the photo, she and Jude were enjoying a candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant. The caption read, "With you by my side, even the air feels sweet."

I was a little surprised. In my memory, she hated foreign food the most. It all began when her father left her and her mother behind, running off overseas with another woman.

That left her with psychological scars, and she resisted almost anything from abroad.

Early in our relationship, before I knew about this, I took her to a restaurant serving international dishes. The result was a thorough scolding from her. After that, she gave me the silent treatment for an entire week.

But now, for Jude, she was happily eating at that restaurant with a relaxed smile. There wasn't a hint of disgust on her face.

Looking at it this way, love truly was a miracle; it could even soothe old psychological scars.

Colleagues were flooding the comments with congratulations. Usually, it was Jude posting vague, suggestive updates. Everyone had a sense of what was going on, but nobody said it outright.

Now, with Paisley posting it herself, it was basically an official announcement. She thanked everyone for their congratulations and even sent a few cash gifts in the group chat.

I knew she was doing all of this to get under my skin, to make me cave in and apologize first. But this time, not a single ripple of emotion stirred inside me.

I immediately sent a text to my good friend, Wyatt Barker. "Wanna grab some food?"

He replied instantly, "Hell yeah!"

At the food truck, Wyatt was chowing down on tacos while teasing me. "Hey, doesn't your girlfriend keep you on a tight leash with that 10:00 pm curfew?"

It was laughable, really. Paisley was afraid I might cheat, so she set strict rules for me.

Yet she played by a completely different set of rules, often staying out all night. She thought she was keeping it hidden. I had already figured everything out from the photos Jude had sent me of the two of them.

What a joke. I'd been playing the fool, sticking to that curfew so rigidly. I even turned down hangouts with friends more than once. Slowly, they stopped reaching out. For almost a year, my entire life had revolved around Paisley.

Looking back, I couldn't believe how stupid I had been. I took a big gulp of beer. "We broke up."

Wyatt's eyes went wide, and he patted me on the shoulder. "About time! She never deserved how good you were to her. Enough about that. Tonight's on me. You're not leaving until you've eaten and drank your fill!"

I ordered two more cases of beer from the vendor. We ate and drank until the early hours before I finally headed home.

As soon as I opened the door, an ashtray came flying straight at me.

Paisley's icy voice followed. "Do you know what time it is? You finally decided to come home!"

I was caught off guard. I hadn't expected her to be home. After all, she usually spent the whole night with Jude.

Stunned, I couldn't dodge in time. The ashtray smashed into my forehead, and blood poured down my face.

A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes, but it quickly faded, replaced by cold indifference. She demanded sharply, "Why are you home so late? Curfew was hours ago!"

I let out a cold laugh and fired back, "What about you? Why are you back all of a sudden? Aren't you supposed to be with Jude tonight?

Paisley froze and clicked her tongue in annoyance. "What are you talking about? I didn't have any work dinners today. I just finished helping Jude and came straight home. All those times with him were just work trips and business meetings. Stop reading too much into it.

"I came back early to keep you company because you seemed down. And this is how you repay me? By throwing shade the moment you walk in?"

I glanced at the cold dinner on the table, a little surprised. Had I really misunderstood her?

She ignored my reaction and kept talking. "Oh, right. Earlier, Jude mentioned that his parents are hard to convince. They won't back off until they see wedding photos. So tomorrow I still have to go with him to get some taken.

"I remember you know your way around this stuff. Could you recommend a studio that works quickly, or one with nicer wedding outfits?"

My heart clenched. No wonder Paisley was willing to lower her pride. In the end, it was still all about Jude.

She knew perfectly well that I had been researching all of this for our wedding. And now she expected me to give her and Jude ideas?

I refused without hesitation. "Figure it out yourselves. I can't help you."

Seeing that I wouldn't play along, Paisley completely lost her temper. "Remy, I'm just putting on a show with Jude. Do you really have to take this so seriously?"

"Whether it's an act or real feelings, you know the truth," I replied.

That dreamy look on her face when she spoke of taking wedding photos said it all. She had truly fallen.

"You're being ridiculous!" Paisley stomped her foot in anger.

I didn't feel like arguing and started heading toward the bedroom. But she rushed in first, tossed my pillow out, and told me to sleep in the study, trying to force me to back down.

Little did she know, that was exactly what I wanted.

When I woke up the next day, Paisley was already gone. After washing up, I went to the company to handle my resignation with HR.

The moment I submitted my online resignation, she approved it the next second. I couldn't help but wonder how she had suddenly become so efficient.

Just then, Jude sent me a photo of him and Paisley trying on wedding outfits at a bridal shop. He obviously wanted to provoke me.

"So what if you've been with her for five years? In the end, I'm the one who gets to marry her and take wedding photos with her."

Then it hit me.

No wonder Paisley approved it so quickly; she was busy trying on wedding outfits with Jude.

Every time she went on a date with him, everything else got ignored. I had been stood up by her hundreds of times because of it.

In the past, her neglect would have hurt me. Now, I was almost grateful for it. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have been able to resign so smoothly.

I ignored Jude's taunts, finished the resignation process, and walked out of the office.

The moment I stepped outside, I was met by colleagues wearing mocking smiles.

"So what if you were the CEO's boyfriend? You still got kicked to the curb."

"Guess you really did this to yourself."

One of them even tried to splash a cup of water at me, clearly waiting to see me make a fool of myself.

This time, I didn't swallow their insults like I used to. I dodged, grabbed his wrist, and smashed the cup right against his head.

"I'm leaving for something better. Keep running your mouth, and I'll rip your tongue out."

After that, I ignored their pale faces and walked away without looking back.

Once that was done, I told Wyatt about my resignation. He messaged me saying he wanted to throw me a farewell lunch before I left.

On the way to the restaurant, we passed a photo studio. Wyatt suddenly stopped, pointed inside, and exclaimed, "Remy, isn't that Paisley and Jude?"

I looked up and froze.

The wedding outfit I had carefully designed and chosen was now on Jude.

He always seemed to get everything that was mine so easily. My project. My marriage license. And now, even the wedding photos I had dreamed of taking with Paisley—he took them all from me.

Wyatt was furious and wanted to confront them for me.

I reached out to stop him. "Forget it. It's not worth wasting time on people like them. Besides, Paisley and I are already broken up. Whatever she does is none of my business."

I turned to leave, but then Paisley noticed me. She quickly let go of Jude's hand and walked outside. "Remy, what are you doing here?"

Jude shot me a provocative look and said in a mocking tone, "Ms. Needham, I'm sure Mr. Armer found out about our plans from HR and followed us here on purpose."

She immediately got angry. "You're following us? Remy, we've been together for five years. Don't you trust me at all?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "And you? Did you ever trust me? All it took was a few words from Jude for you to believe him and start doubting me."

Jude immediately put on an aggrieved look. "Mr. Armer, you've misunderstood us. We're only taking wedding photos to satisfy my parents. If it bothers you that much, then fine. We won't take them.

"I'll cancel the marriage license later. Worst case, I'll just go back to being set up on blind dates, I guess."

He made a show of turning to leave, but Paisley grabbed his arm and shot me a cold glare. "Enough, Remy. Do you really have to push Jude into a corner like this? I already agreed to marry you. What more do you want?

"Besides, it's work hours right now. You're skipping work, so per company policy, your pay will be docked. Get out! Now!"

"And what if I don't?" I asked.

"Keep this up and see what happens. I'll fire you."

Paisley stared at me, the threat unmistakable. She knew I couldn't bear to leave her. Every time, she threatened to break up or have me fired to keep me under her thumb.

Facing this threat for what felt like the umpteenth time, I didn't get angry. Instead, I laughed. I took out my phone and showed her the resignation she had approved not long ago.

"Don't bother. Because as of just now, I've already quit!"