Ashes of a Bloomed Heart

The next day, I returned to the office. I was at my desk, holding the resignation letter I printed.

I had gotten to know Vernon at college, and that was where we fell in love too. After he got a job at this tech company, I followed him there as well. I rejected any plans Mom and Dad had made for me and started out in an entry-level position at the company.

After getting together with Vernon, I did everything I could to tease him. However, it didn't matter if I wore something revealing, pretended to have fallen into his lap by accident, or tried to kiss him while I was drunk.

As long as we crossed the line, Vernon would fiddle with the rosary beads around his wrist. Then, he would look at me calmly with restraint. He seemed like a man with no desires—a saint who accidentally ended up in the human world.

It had been six years since we got together. From the moment I learned that Vernon had made a reservation at the hotel, I was filled with hope, thinking that he was ready to take things to the next level.

In the end, it was just my wishful thinking.

A colleague nearby walked toward me. Once she noticed the resignation letter on my laptop, she was slightly taken aback.

"Avril, you'll be promoted to director soon. Why are you resigning all of a sudden?"

I smiled. "I'm getting married soon. When the time comes, I'll get a new job."

My colleague, Lisa Fisher, congratulated me with a smile. "Lately, everyone at the office seems to be getting married. Last night, I saw Mr. Floyd's Instagram post. He's getting engaged!

"It's no surprise that Mr. Floyd and his girlfriend are a perfect match. I heard they're childhood sweethearts.

"Back then, I was wondering who could ever melt his heart. He's so stoic! Now, I know better. It could only be his first love!"

Suddenly, I found it hard to smile. I checked my phone and realized that Vernon had blocked me on his main and alternate Instagram account.

Vernon's main account was for personal use. After he left the apartment last night, he blocked me on Instagram right away.

On the other hand, Vernon's alternate account was used for work, and all of our conversations there were purely professional.

At that moment, Vernon led Peggy into the office. Peggy's face was glowing, and a radiant smile played on her lips. She didn't look like someone who was supposed to be sick.

Vernon began introducing Peggy to everyone in the office. "She's our new Technical Director, Peggy Cahill. Let's welcome her. You'll be working closely together in the future."

Lisa looked startled. Her gaze shifted between me and Peggy. Finally, she greeted Peggy, saying, "Hello, Ms. Cahill!"

I said nothing as I tightened my grip on the resignation letter.

But Vernon stared at me with displeasure. "Avril, everyone's already greeted the new director. What's this behavior?"

Peggy chuckled before extending her hand to me. "We'll be working closely in the future. Let's support each other."

As soon as I reached out to shake her hand, Vernon pulled Peggy's hand back. "You're a director, so there's no need for you to be so polite with these entry-level employees. Come on. I'll show you around so you can get acquainted."

Vernon and Peggy walked away, leaving me behind with my hand still extended. I was still rooted to the spot in shock, looking like a clown.

Lisa pulled me aside to our desks and began gossiping. "Avril, you saw her earlier, right? That's Mr. Floyd's fiancée!

"That pink diamond necklace around her neck was given by Mr. Floyd. I heard it's worth millions! But what he did was way too obvious!

"You've been working at the company for five years. Everyone here knows how capable you are. But Mr. Floyd just gave your spot away so easily to someone else!"

I nodded distractedly. From the start, I already planned on resigning from my job. After Vernon passed me over and made Peggy director, it was even clearer to me now that I meant nothing to him.

With the documents and my resignation letter in hand, I knocked on the door to Vernon's office.

"Come in." .

I set everything on the table, including all the information I had to hand over after my resignation.

Vernon flipped through those files, and his expression darkened even further. Finally, he looked up at me with a disdainful smirk.

"Avril, I thought you already turned over a new leaf yesterday, and you won't throw tantrums anymore. Now, you're back to your usual self?" With that, Vernon threw the files toward me, aiming for my face.

I stood aside and managed to dodge the files. Then, I crouched on the floor and began picking up what Vernon had thrown to the floor.

Vernon explained, "All Peggy did was take your chance for a promotion. Besides, she and I studied the same major.

"I have full confidence in her abilities, and that's why I made her Technical Director. You're still working at an entry-level position after five years. There's no need to be this angry!"

I stacked the files together before setting them on Vernon's desk. I said calmly, "I'm not angry. All I want is to resign."

Peggy and Vernon studied the same major, and he claimed that he knew her abilities very well. But what about me?

I studied jewelry design during college. Later, I ended up pursuing a second degree for Vernon and worked very hard day and night so I could catch up with him.

In the end, all my efforts were worthless to him.

Vernon shot me a condescending glare. "Don't you know how useless you are? I've already transferred you to work under Peggy. In the future, watch and learn from her."

I smiled. "My time is precious too. I won't ever work on anything I'm not interested in."

"Fine! Then, leave! Let's see which company would even want to hire you!" With that, Vernon got up from his office chair and looked at me, his gaze filled with malice.

I turned to leave his office.

Vernon and I had been together for six years, which were all for nothing. But in the future, my world would never revolve around him anymore.

After all, he expected me to look up to Peggy.