She's Leaving

"Do me a favor, young lady."

…

It was finally done. William set up a grand banquet to welcome Bianca, and it was to be held at the new observation tower he owned.

I knew that place. It was the same place he had once proposed to me. There were no flowers or any diamond rings. All it had was him kneeling on one knee, blushing as red as an apple. He swore he would make me the happiest woman in the world.

30 years had gone by since that promise was made. He did make good on his word, but it was to someone else. The banquet was, if nothing else, magnificent. The world's bluebloods and reporters were all present.

William had chosen the time of sunset for his little show. When the skies were burning crimson gold, and the observation tower lit up like a brazier that shone over the city, he put his arm around Bianca and walked onto the stage.

The city of Pierton unfurled behind them. While the party was reaching its peak, someone asked, "Mr. Larson, you spent more than three billion and six years on this tower, and you said it was made for your wife's sake. Why are you naming it after another woman?"

Silence swooped in, but William was unfazed.

Instead, he smiled. "My wife is very magnanimous. She has everything anyone could hope for. One name won't hurt her."

…

As the party went on and the socializing went underway, the wealthy ladies all huddled around Bianca, while William was chatting with some investors.

No one noticed me, more specifically, my seat. It was empty and had only an equally unfilled glass as its only witness.

As the party came to an end, a waiter pushed the cake onto the stage. William took the knife and scanned the hall, then he frowned at Jason. "Where's your mother? I thought we were going to celebrate together."

Bianca clenched her dress and replied quietly, "She left without even saying a word. Yvonne must still hate me."

William scoffed. "Doesn't matter. It'll only hurt her if she keeps being so narrow-minded." He took a sip from his glass and continued nonchalantly, "She'll just throw a quiet tantrum and come back like a good puppy the next day."

William checked his phone, but there was no message from me.

My lack of response displeased him, so he growled, "I can't believe she's absent. This is an important event. She has to be here even if she's upset. Otherwise, my reputation will be tanked! I shouldn't have spoiled her so much."

William's phone buzzed. Pierton's police station was calling.

A frown creased his forehead, but he took the call. "Mr. Larson? Your wife's application has been approved."

William heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Bianca and Jason. "See? The permit's approved. She can't complain anymore."

The staff member interrupted, "Mr. Larson, your wife did not apply for a work permit."

William tightened his grip on his phone.

When he found out what I had really applied for, his smile slowly disappeared as his pupils shrank. He stayed rooted in his spot, as if something invisible had wrapped itself around his feet.