Chapter 3

That night, I didn't go home. I checked into a hotel.

Scarlett messaged me all night, called countless times.

I didn't check. I didn't answer.

The next morning, I arrived at the company early.

To prepare my resignation letter.

The company was a subsidiary of Su Corp.

And I was just an ordinary accountant.

Five years ago, I first met Scarlett when she joined the company too.

After we started dating, I introduced her to Mom.

Mom approved of our marriage. As we were planning the reception,

Scarlett told me she was deep in debt and had been fired from her job.

To help her pay it off, I took on every side gig I could find.

Mom also worked herself to the bone. Her already worn face grew even older, etched with more lines.

I never imagined this company... it was *hers*.

I let out a bitter laugh, mocking myself.

Just then, Scarlett walked in.

I calmly pulled out the resignation agreement I'd already printed.

Scarlett came to stand beside me.

Under her watchful gaze, I calmly signed the resignation agreement.

She looked at me, her voice gentle:

"Are you done?"

"I'm done."

Scarlett bit her lip slightly, seemingly unaware of the change in me.

She cleared her throat.

"Kolt, could you come with me for a moment?"

The moment Scarlett called me away, my colleagues immediately started whispering.

"Oh my God, have you guys seen the news? Scarlett is the CEO of Su Corp!"

"Kolt's practically the CEO's husband now, but his expression..."

"You don't get it. It's just a lovers' quarrel, they'll patch things up."

Everyone thought I was about to become the CEO's husband.

But they didn't know I just wanted to leave, forever.

In the office, Scarlett reached out as if to grab me.

I took a step back.

"Ms. Scarlett."

Scarlett frowned.

"Why didn't you come home last night? Are you still mad at me?"

I shook my head.

"I went to see Mom."

I didn't go back because I didn't want Mom to ever see her again.

She could have lived if she'd just gotten treatment.

But she chose to end her own life, just so she wouldn't be a burden.

Scarlett seemed to sense a strange shift in me.

After a moment of silence, she spoke:

"Tonight, let's go see your mom together."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something, and her gaze became hesitant.

She slowly handed me a card.

"There's a hundred thousand dollars on it. Get your mom some new clothes, consider it..."

I stared at the bank card, but I didn't take it.

What she owed us couldn't be repaid with money.

Seeing my silence, a flicker of panic crossed Scarlett's eyes. She was about to speak when

a ringtone interrupted her thoughts.

Scarlett pulled out her phone, glanced at me,

hesitated for a moment, then left.

I knew this was probably another one of her 'tests' for me.

Testing my sincerity, testing if I was after her money.

But I no longer cared.

After that, I submitted my resignation.

Mr. Davies didn't seem surprised by my sudden resignation request.

"Kolt, you're leaving? Did Ms. Scarlett make other arrangements for you?"

I bit my lip, feeling a surge of bitter irony.

Everyone thought I was about to become the CEO's husband, stepping into high society.

They all envied my 'luck'.

They had no idea I'd lost my mother forever because of it.

If I had a choice, I'd rather have never met Scarlett.

As I was leaving the company, I saw Scarlett with her assistant, Brandon.

Catching my eye, Scarlett instinctively began to explain;

"This is Brandon, he's my..."

Before she could finish, Brandon wrapped an arm around her.

"Fiancé."

I stayed silent. Then, Brandon spoke again:

"Excuse me. Could you move aside?"

A glint of challenge flashed in Brandon's eyes.

I silently took a step back, clearing the way.

Scarlett looked at me, hesitation in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something.

But Brandon pulled her away before she could.

That evening, I went to church to pray for Mom.

I stayed until my prayers were done.

Scarlett never showed up. She never even asked.

I didn't care.

Whether she knew about Mom's death or not, it didn't matter anymore.

I figured Mom, in heaven, if she knew the truth,

wouldn't want to see her either.

Five years of misplaced trust. It all ended right here, right now.