Chapter 2

Emily’s POV

Nathan called at ten that morning.

“Book a private room at a Michelin-starred restaurant for tonight. Arrange a welcome dinner.” He sounded happy. “And find out what Vivian’s been eating during her years in Europe. Check whether there’s anything she avoids. Put the menu together yourself.”

My fingers tightened around the phone, but my voice remained steady. “Of course, Mr. Reed. Will there be anything else?”

“No. I know you’ll handle it.”

He hung up. I stared at the dark screen, remembering five years ago. Reed Group had been undergoing bankruptcy restructuring, and Nathan had nothing. We had worked out of a basement barely two hundred square feet. At our lowest point, we had shared a single burger.

Back then, watching me write code and revise proposals, Nathan had said with red-rimmed eyes, “Emily, when this company gets back on its feet, I promise I’ll take care of you.”

He had kept that promise. He gave me a seven-figure salary and a prestigious position. But the one thing he never gave me was his heart.

At seven that evening, I arrived at the restaurant half an hour early to check the flowers, the lighting, and every dish. When the elevator chimed, I looked up.

Nathan stepped out beside a woman in a white trench coat, her curls falling over her shoulders. Vivian was even more beautiful than she had been five years ago. Her youthful innocence had given way to a mature charm. Walking side by side, they looked perfect together.

Nathan never took his eyes off her. He held the elevator door and murmured something that made her laugh.

It had been a long time since I had seen him so patient and indulgent.

“Ms. Carter. It’s been a while.” Vivian approached and offered her hand. Her smile was sweet and harmless, but her eyes swept over me in a quick, discreet assessment.

When she took in my business suit and pinned-up hair, a flicker of relief crossed her eyes.

“Welcome home, Ms. Blake.” I shook her hand briefly and let go.

Once they were seated, I stood to one side, making sure the dishes were served. Nathan pointed to the chair beside him. “Emily, sit down and eat with us. We’re all friends here.”

All friends. To me, it sounded more like he was drawing a line.

Throughout dinner, Nathan personally attended to Vivian. She accepted it as though it were only natural, occasionally bringing up funny stories from their college days.

“Nathan, remember when you went all over the city looking for that limited-edition bracelet for me?” Resting her chin on one hand, Vivian smiled at him.

Nathan paused while cutting his steak, his gaze softening. “I remember. I could barely walk afterward.”

I quietly ate my salad. I remembered Nathan being hospitalized with a stomach bleed three years earlier. I had run three blocks through a downpour to buy oatmeal from his favorite place. By the time I returned, I was soaked through. I ran a high fever for three days. All he did was have an assistant deliver a box of cold medicine.

By the end of dinner, my whole body ached.

As the meal drew to a close, Vivian went to the restroom. Nathan and I were left alone.

He set down his wineglass and looked at me, suddenly serious.

“Emily, there’s something important I need you to handle. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with it.”

I put down my knife and fork and sat straighter. “What is it?”

Nathan stared ahead as though picturing something wonderful. His voice held absolute determination. “I’m going to propose to Vivian. The third of next month, on her birthday. I want the best of everything.”

My mind went blank.

A proposal. He was going to propose to Vivian.

I bit down hard on the tip of my tongue, using the pain to keep myself together.

“The venue, the decorations, the invitations—you’ll handle all of it. Order a classic Cartier diamond ring. I’ll send you her size later.” Nathan turned toward me. “This means a lot to me, Emily. Don’t let me down.”

Looking at the man I had loved for five years, I heard myself answer in a voice that was steady and cold. “Understood. I’ll prepare three options for you and email them by noon tomorrow.”

Nathan nodded in satisfaction. “Thank you. Once it’s done, I’ll give you a long vacation.”

Over the next week, I went to jewelry stores alone to look at engagement rings. The saleswoman assumed I was the bride-to-be and enthusiastically offered suggestions. I stared at the glittering diamonds on the tray, forced back my tears, and compared their clarity and cuts without expression.

I inspected proposal venues. Standing on a lawn covered in roses, I imagined Nathan kneeling in front of Vivian. Pain twisted through my heart.

I sampled every dessert and dish. Even when nausea churned in my stomach, I kept my expression neutral and recorded the strengths and weaknesses of each flavor.

Nathan listened closely to every update and occasionally requested changes. When he noticed the dark circles under my eyes, he remarked, “You’ve been working hard. You look exhausted. Make sure you get some rest.”

Just a passing comment. All his thoughts were on the woman who was about to become his wife.

By Friday afternoon, the proposal plans were finalized.

I left his office and returned to my desk. I opened a new document on my computer.

My fingers flew across the keyboard without a single pause.

Less than five minutes later, a page came out of the printer.

At the top were the words: Letter of Resignation.

I locked it in the bottom drawer. Once the proposal was over, I would leave. I could bear not being loved, but I couldn’t bear planning his wedding with my own hands.