Goodbye, CEO Trashbag

The ambulance came, and the paramedics got me on the stretcher.

Lying in the ER with an IV in my arm, I shot a text to Phoebe.

[Phoebe, I'm getting a divorce.]

After they discharged me, I stayed home for a few days, thinking I'd finally get some peace. Then my phone started blowing up.

Drained, I answered. Alfred's voice was ice-cold.

"I'm picking you up for dinner."

Before I could respond, he hung up.

Might as well play nice until the divorce was final. I got dressed and went out.

The second he saw my face, something clicked in his expression.

"I forgot to grab your ointment. The restaurant's near the hospital—I'll take you there first."

"No need. It's been days. I'm fine."

He sighed, almost relieved. "Thought so. It's been seven years. If you're still hurting, it's all in your head."

I let out a dry laugh. "Yeah. Seven years."

Seven years ago, I used everything I had to shove Alfred out of that burning building. A falling beam crushed me under the flames.

Three broken ribs. A fractured tailbone. Even now, the slightest bump sent pain shooting through me.

I never told him. Never wanted him to feel guilty. But the pain wasn't in my head—it was real.

If he had ever truly loved me, if he had ever cared... wouldn't he have noticed?

As Alfred drove, he started his usual excuses. "Vivian was shaken up after I saved her. I stayed a little longer to make sure she was okay. Don't overthink it."

I stared out the window. "I'm not. She's your secretary. Makes sense you'd stick around."

Apparently, my indifference hit a nerve. He suddenly slammed the brakes, and my earphones tumbled under the seat. I bent down to grab them—only to spot a swimsuit stuffed underneath.

A month ago, that would've wrecked me.

Now? I just picked it up and tossed it onto the back seat.

Alfred shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, that? Probably Vivian's. She must've left it after a swim lesson."

I just nodded and kept watching the scenery blur past.

At the restaurant, the couple at the next table kept sneaking glances our way. Eventually, the girl worked up the nerve to approach.

"Aren't you the CEO from Vivian's posts? Wow, you look even better in person!"

Alfred barely looked up. "You need something?"

She grinned, lowering her voice like we were in on some big secret. "So... are you and Vivian dating?"

Alfred glanced at me, still calmly eating, then turned back to her with a smile. "Yeah. Vivian and I are together."

A sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen, but I didn't react.

The girl hesitated, frowning. "Then... who is she?"

Without missing a beat, Alfred said, "My maid."