Chapter 2

The next morning, I arrived at the office early.

The signed resignation letter sat quietly inside my desk drawer, waiting for the right moment to be submitted.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text from Julian.

*“Hey Ethan, heard you’ve been taking care of Clara all these years. Must’ve been exhausting.”*

*“She told me that if you weren’t so damn competent, she wouldn’t have settled for keeping you around this long.”*

*“Clara and I are shopping for engagement rings today. Hold down the fort at the office for us, will you?”*

I read through the messages with a blank expression. My thumb hovered over the screen for a second, but I didn't reply.

I tapped open the zip file he attached. Inside were photos of Clara and him traveling together over the years.

Five years ago. Three years ago. One year ago.

They had never lost touch.

While I was out drinking with clients until my stomach was bleeding just to close a round of funding, they were skiing in the Swiss Alps.

While I pulled all-nighters polishing pitch decks until dawn, they were kissing under the Eiffel Tower.

While I was hooked to an IV drip in an ER, taking conference calls, they were watching the sunset on a beach in the Maldives.

...

I had asked her so many times to go on a trip with me, even just a quick weekend getaway.

Every time, she would massage her temples, leaning wearily against my shoulder:

"Ethan, I can't afford to lose focus right now. Let's wait until the IPO, okay? When that happens, I'll go wherever you want."

I took her word for it. I even secretly built travel itineraries in my notes.

Yet every single "solo business trip" she took each year was just a rendezvous with Julian.

Staring at the screen, a quiet laugh escaped my lips.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the resignation letter and walked straight into HR.

The HR director stared at me in disbelief.

"Ethan, you’ve been here since day one! The company just went public—why would you walk away now?"

"Besides, didn't Ms. Vance promise to grant you any wish you wanted once we rang the bell? Isn't it a waste to leave right now?"

My feelings for Clara had been the worst-kept secret in the company.

Yet in public, she never showed me an ounce of affection and never allowed me to cross professional boundaries.

She even demanded that we commute via different routes to keep up appearances.

Everyone assumed it was just unrequited love—that I was leaving because my heart couldn't take the rejection anymore.

Looking back, maybe that was for the best.

Falling for her was my choice.

Falling out of love meant I could walk away cleanly.

As for that "wish," I had originally saved it to propose to her.

She had always claimed she didn't believe in marriage and wasn't ready to settle down.

I had waited seven years; I didn't mind waiting a few more.

But now, I was exhausted. I didn't want to wait anymore.

"Yeah, maybe it is a waste," I said quietly. "But I really just need a break. Let's process the paperwork."

Seeing the finality in my eyes, she stopped trying to talk me out of it.

After clearing the exit procedures, I returned to the apartment. I found Clara sitting in the living room, staring absentmindedly at a diamond ring.

When the front door clicked, she panicked and hid the box behind her back, trying to cover it up: "You're back? By the way, I'm heading out on a business trip tomorrow. Just giving you a heads-up."

I set my keys on the counter. "Okay."

I never pushed back, never questioned her decisions.

Just as I turned toward the bedroom, she caught my arm.

"Ethan, aren't you going to ask how long I'll be gone?"

I paused, surprised by the question.

Usually, she just gave me orders so I could pack her bags.

Looking at her shifting eyes, I forced a faint smile. "Sorry. Work was overwhelming today; my head is spinning."

Her expression softened, and she suddenly leaned in and kissed my cheek.

"Ethan, I haven't even properly congratulated us on taking the company public yet. Tell me what wish you want, and I'll make it happen as soon as I get back."

I knew I should let it go.

Yet a tiny, stubborn part of me wanted to make one final attempt.

Consider it closure for the past seven years.

I took her hand and looked straight into her eyes.

"Clara, if my wish is for us to get married... would you say yes?"