Love Has Reached Its End, Never to See Each Other Again in This Lifetime

The gift Julian gave me was actually meant to smooth things over because of another woman.

I kept a straight face, but inside, the irony stung.

Noticing my coldness, Julian pulled me closer and hugged me from behind, acting all lovey-dovey.

"It's just a project," he murmured. "You'll want to focus on family once we starts a family. right? Isn't it better to pass these projects along?"

He had no idea that I was already pregnant, and now I couldn't keep the baby.

The strong freesia perfume filled my nose.

Feeling sick, I shoved him away and rushed to the bathroom, covering my mouth.

"Caroline, cut the drama, will you? Evelyn's just a college kid. Why are you mad at her? Want something to make up for it? Just say it!" Julian's patience was wearing thin.

When I stayed silent, he slammed the door in anger and left.

I lay awake all night.

Early in the morning, I touched my still-flat belly, on the fence about what to do.

The life inside was tiny, yet it felt like I could already connect with it.

I was about to be a mother.

After thinking hard, I decided to tell Julian about the baby.

I grabbed a cab to the office.

Before I could even look for Julian, Evelyn cornered me.

She gave me a sly smile and said, "Caroline, there's a snag with closing out the last project. Mr. Cadman wanted me to check with you."

Evelyn pulled me into her office. Instead of project documents, she handed me intimate photos of her and Julian.

The photos were so raunchy. They stung my eyes.

"Caroline, Mr. Cadman doesn't love you anymore. Why keep hanging on? He's going to be mine, just like the projects," Evelyn taunted.

After looking closely at Evelyn, I realized why Julian said she looked like younger me.

She looked sweet enough, but she had this bitchy, in-your-face look.

My hands shook. I lost it and slapped her. "You bitch!"

Evelyn clutched her cheek, her eyes welling up with tears.

Julian walked in just then and saw everything.

He scowled, shoved me aside, and then protectively pulled Evelyn behind him.

His shove sent me crashing into the coffee table. I turned ghostly pale and nearly blacked out.

"Caroline, I'm sorry. I really just wanted your advice on the project. It's my fault. I'm such an idiot," Evelyn sobbed, putting on her innocent act.

Julian stroked Evelyn's head, calming her, and turned to me coldly. "Caroline, why're you picking on her?

You need to wrap up this project for her, fast.

Evelyn's just straightforward, accidentally upset Mr. Kevin Lane. Anyway, she's not the type to grovel and apologize.

You're going to smooth things over with Mr. Lane. You're good at sucking up to clients, right?"

For years, Julian had always hated how I buttered up clients. He said I had no pride.

But now, for Evelyn, he suddenly wanted me to do just that.

I let out a scornful laugh, looked him straight in the eye, and said every word clearly, "My work turns into her trophy. She screwed up. How can you expect me to clean up her mess?"

Julian's face grew even darker. "If you don't handle it, all projects from your team will be transferred to Evelyn's team. And your team's bonuses? Gone."