It All Ends the Same

However, I still held onto some naive pride. “If you ever stop loving me, I’ll take all the money I can and disappear somewhere so far away that you’ll never find me.”

The memory brought me back to the present, and I realized tears were streaming down my face. Not for myself, but for the child I’d lost.

Lucky jumped onto the couch, nudging at my face and licking my tears away with his warm, wet tongue. His big, soulful eyes were full of confusion and concern. He burrowed into my lap as if trying to comfort me.

I needed to go far, far away from here.

I’d take Lucky to Athens, Milan, and the places closest to heaven, where we could watch the northern lights together.

As the night deepened, I eventually drifted off, curled up on the couch.

Sometime later, I was awakened by a sudden warmth beside me.

Randall wrapped his arms around me and whispered, “Nara, why didn’t you save me dinner tonight?”

Dinner? Why would I?

How many times had I waited for him late into the night, setting out meals made with love, only for them to end up in the trash?

I turned slightly, creating a small gap between us, and said nothing.

…

The next morning, I headed to the office early.

The company had been something Randall and I started together. However, as the years passed, I’d taken a back seat, choosing to focus on supporting him and our home.

Today, however, was different. There was an important meeting with a client I’d personally nurtured a relationship with over the years.

If there’s one thing I won’t fight with, it’s money.

Randall was surprised to see me walking into the office. “What brings you here?”

In public, he always maintained the appearance of a perfect husband, all charm and courtesy.

I ignored his attempt to place a hand on my back and walked past him with a polite smile. “The company belongs to both of us. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

A flash of awkwardness crossed his face as he stepped in front of me. “Of course you can. It’s just… you haven’t been around for a while, and I gave your old office to Macy.”

My steps faltered.

Looking up, I saw it.

My name had been replaced on the office door. In its place was Macy’s name.

“This office was mine. When did that change?” I asked.

Before Randall could answer, Macy stepped out of the office. Dressed in a white dress, she looked pitiful.

“Ms. Nara, please don’t blame Mr. Harris. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have taken your space. I don’t want you two to fight because of me.”

Randall instinctively moved to shield her, his expression shifting to annoyance as he turned to me.

“Nara, don’t be unreasonable.”

Unreasonable? It was as if they hadn’t taken over what was rightfully mine in my absence.

However, I let it go for now. Glancing at my watch, I reminded Randall, “Michael will be here any minute. This deal can’t fall apart.”

Randall’s expression shifted as he realized the importance of the situation. He shot Macy a reassuring look before taking my hand to lead me toward the entrance.

Michael Day pulled me into a friendly hug as soon as he saw me.

“Hey, Nara. You don’t look too happy. Everything okay?”

His simple words brought a lump to my throat.

A business partner I hadn’t seen in years could sense something was wrong, while the man I’d spent years with remained oblivious.

Michael and I had met years ago while working on a project together. He respected my abilities and even offered me a position at his company.

I’d turned him down, choosing instead to focus on Randall.

Now, as I looked at Michael, a thought crossed my mind. Once I threw Randall out of my life, maybe there’d be room for better opportunities.