After Betrayal, the CEO Found New Love

"If there's nothing else, you should go."

Janelle Thomas had remained quiet for too long, prompting Kaleb Gray to finally close the file and glance at her. There were no explanations, no reassurances, nothing at all. She knew there was no point in asking; the answers would be the same as always. It was like when she had asked him why he was always seen with Cataleya Myers.

The responses were invariably, "Does it matter?" "Why do you always focus on things like this?" "I've explained before, I don't want to repeat myself." Her heart felt as if it were encased in ice, but she battled back the tears threatening to spill, determined to act unaffected.

"Mr. Gray, I need this project. I need a chance to prove myself. I..."

Just then, the door swung open without warning, and Cataleya bustled in, chattering away, "I brought you a slice of spiced honey cake, Kaleb..."

She didn't knock, didn't have a badge, and interrupted without hesitation—anyone else, even Janelle, would have faced Kaleb’s cold reprimand. But Cataleya received only a bland response:

"If there's nothing else, please leave."

Cataleya pouted, annoyed, and after placing the cake down, she casually picked up a jacket she’d left on the sofa and sauntered out.

It was then Janelle noticed how Cataleya had already left her mark in Kaleb's office, despite being employed for less than three months. Kaleb's business laptop was decorated with colorful stickers, cute trinkets were scattered across the desk, and a woman's purse hung nearby.

Even the one thing Janelle had managed to persuade Kaleb to keep—a mug she had made herself—had been swapped for a pink cup that was unmistakably girlish.

"What do you want to say?" Kaleb asked.

Janelle wanted to say she needed a chance to prove herself—not just to him, but to his parents, who looked down on her, and to the colleagues who might gossip if their relationship became public. She wanted to prove she was truly worthy and capable of being with him.

But it dawned on her in that moment that this relationship had always been her journey alone. No matter how hard she tried to keep up, always racing ahead—Kaleb would never pause to wait for her, not even for an instant.

So in the end, she just smiled.

She said nothing more, simply, "It's fine, there's nothing more I want to say."