Chapter 3

My heart plummeted. I felt cold sweat instantly prickle my skin.

My hands and feet went numb.

How could this be… How could it be me?

Beside me, Marcus struggled to suppress a triumphant smirk.

After the layoff list was read, they moved on to the personnel assignments for the restructured company.

Not only was Marcus not laid off, but he was also promoted.

To manager…

I didn’t fully recover until the meeting ended.

I stumbled to the stage, picking up the sheet of paper covered with names.

It really was me…

Brenda, a colleague standing nearby, also on the list, sighed, her face etched with worry.

“Audrey, you’re our best technician in the whole department. Did you upset the new Vice President?”

I felt a strange disconnect, asking almost automatically, “Who is it?”

“His name is Robert. He and the CEO finalized this layoff list together.”

It finally clicked.

Robert, he was Chloe’s brother-in-law.

My face fell, utterly drained, body and soul.

I had no idea where the road ahead would lead.

Stumbling home in a daze, I found Chloe there already…

Marcus’s mom, Martha, had prepared a lavish dinner.

“Marcus, this time, it’s all thanks to Chloe’s help.”

Martha said, not forgetting to shoot me a glare.

She clasped Chloe’s hand tightly.

“You’re such a good girl! I truly wish you were Marcus’s wife.”

Marcus took a sip of wine, silently agreeing with them.

Standing in the doorway, I felt like an outsider in my own home.

Then, Chloe saw me, her eyes gleaming with a challenging glint.

“Audrey, you’re back!”