Chapter 2

"You were willing to spend three years in jail for Amanda's business, why are you suddenly wanting to work for me?" Olivia asked, puzzled.

"I remember she promised to give you the department manager position when you got out. Are you sure you don't want it?"

I fidgeted with the one-dollar bill, letting out a bitter laugh.

"No, I don't want it anymore."

Just as I said this, Amanda suddenly appeared in front of me, asking suspiciously:

"What don't you want anymore?"

I ended the call discreetly and told her the truth:

"The department manager position."

Hearing this, a glimmer of relief flashed across the woman's complex expression.

"Good. I was planning to give it to Derek anyway. You can start as a clerk for now."

Hearing these words, I couldn't help but frown.

Back then, I endured three years behind bars for Amanda's company.

She had promised me repeatedly that when I got out, the position would be mine and mine alone.

Who would have thought that in the end, I'd become nothing more than a lowly office worker?

At this moment, Amanda was breaking the promise she made three years ago with her own words.

But I couldn't see a hint of guilt in her eyes.

My eyes burned, and an unstoppable pain flooded my heart.

Seeing that I remained silent, Amanda took out an agreement from her briefcase and tossed it onto the coffee table.

She said nonchalantly, "This is a secret marriage agreement, consider it for the sake of the company."

The words "Secret Marriage Agreement" stung my eyes painfully.

Three years ago, the day before I went to jail, Amanda and I had gotten our marriage certificate.

The only belief that supported me through those years was the thought of a happy married life after my release.

But now, I had become someone she was ashamed to acknowledge.

She even wanted me to disappear without a trace.

I laughed bitterly to myself, picked up the pen without a second thought.

Amanda suddenly turned her head, frowning as she saw my hand about to sign.

The man who once couldn't wait to announce this marriage to the world was now so decisive?

She instinctively held my wrist, her words puzzling:

"You're not even going to think about it?"

I didn't even look up, signing immediately.

Having gotten the secret marriage agreement as she wished, she fell into an inexplicable silence.

After a while, she cleared her throat, her voice turning gentle:

"Jack, don't worry. Once the company stabilizes, I'll definitely make it up to you properly."

I responded with a noncommittal "mm," just as the company group chat on SnapChat buzzed.

Derek had become the company's first department manager, and all employees were offering their congratulations.

"You've been by Amanda's side these three years, we've all seen it. This position is well-deserved!"

"I think Derek is the department manager today, tomorrow he'll probably be the boss's husband, right? We better start sucking up to you now."

Following this, Derek sent a laughing emoji, implicitly accepting everything.

"I still think Jack is the lucky one though, spent three years in jail and still got a clerk job at the company, the boss must really value him!"

Clearly knowing the truth, he was obviously mocking me.

I reluctantly looked away from the screen, but inadvertently saw Amanda staring at her phone.

The smile on her lips was a tenderness I had never seen before.

It made me wonder.

Was her secret marriage to me really for the company, or was it for Derek?