After The Love Had Dead and Gone, You’d Never See Me Again

"I heard they grew up together and Mrs. Harris is Mr. Harris's first love. Could you imagine? You built a successful business and stayed loyal to just one woman. It’s like a real-life romance drama!”

As I reached the top-floor office, I stood at the door, overhearing familiar voices inside.

"Is he nice to you?" Matt asked.

“Mm, he’s great. Just the other day, he bought me a private island. He said he wanted to make up for our missed honeymoon. Honestly, it’s been five years and he still acts like a kid.…”

Matt's voice, filled with suppressed heartache, was low and heavy, "That's good. Knowing that makes me feel at ease.”

Then Taylor said, "How about you? Why are you giving me such expensive gifts? If Fiona knows about this, she'll be upset."

Taylor had always acted like this. She would grasp any chance to get an advantage for herself while making a point to mock me.

Years ago, when Gregg broke off our engagement, she was the one who rushed to the hospital to deliver the news at my mother’s bedside.

Her cruel actions caused my mother to faint on the spot and undergo emergency surgery that very night.

I had confronted her endlessly, but when Gregg and Matt arrived, they both took her side and accused me of being unreasonable. That was the day I severed all the ties with Gregg and Taylor while Matt became my only salvation.

However, now he was the one who pushed me into the abyss.

The secretary, who was rushing to deliver a contract, opened the door and he nearly collided with me.

A flicker of surprised flashed in Matt's eyes and he exclaimed, "Fiona? What are you doing here? Don’t misunderstand. Taylor just dropped by for a chat and to discuss the project. She’s the person in charge of O'Donnell Group’s project…”

"Fiona, long time no see," Taylor greeted me as she stood up. She was wearing the latest custom-designed outfit.

In comparison, I looked like a country bumpkin.

I smiled and nodded, swallowing my resentment as I replied, “It’s fine. I was just shopping and thought I’d drop by to see you. Since you’re busy, I’ll head back.”

Matt assumed I was upset, so he hurriedly ran after me and offered explanations for several minutes.

As I watched the panic on his face trying to appease me made me wanted to laugh. He had willingly sacrificed profits to secure O'Donnell Group’s project, all to get close to Taylor. Now, Taylor came to him every time she liked, whom was he trying to fool?

“Don’t worry. I’m not the kind of person to make a fuss," I said calmly. "Just focus on your work, meanwhile I’ll be a good wife and wait for you at home.”

The relief on his face was so obvious to everyone. He even had his secretary personally escort me downstairs.

However, as soon as I stepped out of the elevator, the employees’ mocking gazes followed me. They did not even bother lowering their voices, pointing at me and whispering insults I could clearly hear. I ignored them all and left the company.

After we married, he told me he didn’t want me to work. He said he wanted me to live a carefree life. I believed him and so I became a housewife and stayed at home.

Meanwhile, Taylor, who was in the same graduating class as me, rose to become the project manager for O'Donnell Group.

Now, we were worlds apart, whether in experience, in abilities, in everything. I was no longer her rival.

Matt, this must be the outcome you wanted, right? Your beloved Taylor has nothing to fear from me anymore.

Back at home, I packed up everything he had given me over the past five years and carried the boxes downstairs. Then I lit the fire and burned them all into ashes.

As the flames roared to life, Taylor suddenly appeared in front of me. She kicked over the box. The kick sent embers and photos flying all over the place. Some even landed on her but she just smiled.

"Fiona, after all these years, you're still just as useless as before. You couldn’t even protect your own mother back then and now you can’t protect yourself either. You’re a joke!”

Apparently, she knew what had happened back then, huh?

Rage flared in my chest and I couldn’t hold back any longer. I slapped her across the face. Though the slap I gave her was not too hard, she fell straight into the fire.