She Lit a Cigarette for Another Man, I Filed for Divorce

For Vanessa, I juggled both school and work. I went to classes in the day and chased money by night—tutoring, delivering food, setting up street stalls. Whatever it took.

It would be a lie to say it wasn’t hard. But every time I saw her smile, I felt it was worth it.

After graduation, Vanessa didn’t want to settle down with some stranger in an arranged marriage. She was determined to start her own business—and once again, I stood by her side. I took on the dirty work, the back-end grind, anything she didn’t want to do.

That’s how we built everything, step by step.

But somehow, Vanessa forgot all the vows we made in those early, hungry days.

Just as I finished packing my things, my phone rang. For a second, I thought it might be Vanessa—maybe she finally noticed I was leaving.

But the number wasn’t hers.

“Daniel, are you okay?”

It was Claire Matthew, an old classmate.

Back in school, Claire was known as a campus beauty, smart and poised. She always treated me well. When she learned I needed money, she introduced me to several part-time jobs—never looking down on me, only helping.

I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

She hesitated. “I heard… you’re getting divorced.”

I smiled bitterly. I had asked another old classmate to help handle the legal matters. I didn’t expect him to share the news so quickly.

Claire paused, then said seriously, “Daniel, I know the kind of person you are. Since you’ve made up your mind to divorce Vanessa, then don’t look back. I have a project—something I think would be perfect for you. Want to hear more?”

I didn’t even think twice. “Yes.”

The company is tied to Vanessa. Naturally, I won’t stay there. Besides, I don’t want to watch her and Julian flaunt their affection in front of me day after day.

Not long after I hung up, my phone rang again. It was Tessa Brooks from the company.

“Daniel, come in. Right away.”

I frowned. “What’s going on?”

She snapped, “Just come when I tell you to. Why are you asking so many questions?”

I was stunned for a moment.

Tessa was someone I personally recruited. She was the very first employee to join us—one of the company's founding pillars.

When she started, she was clueless. I taught her everything, step by step, until she became competent and independent. You could say I was her mentor. For a long time, she respected me deeply.

But ever since Julian came along, Tessa’s attitude toward me had shifted. She began singing praises of how well Vanessa and Julian got along. Yesterday at the birthday banquet, I even heard her mutter under her breath that I was an “eyesore.”

I laughed quietly to myself.

If there’s one upside to walking away from Vanessa, it’s that I no longer have to deal with these ungrateful people.

“Did you read the email I sent?” I asked.

Tessa scoffed. “What, the resignation letter? Yeah, I read it. Are you done being dramatic? You’re not a child.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I know what you’re doing. You just want President Cole’s attention. You think she’ll chase after you if you stir up enough drama? Forget it. It won’t work.”

She thought this was some kind of petty tactic. That I was acting jealous, clinging to Vanessa.

She couldn’t be more wrong.

I replied calmly, “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up. And don’t call me again if something goes wrong at the company.”

Tessa didn’t back down. “President Cole and Assistant Shaw are on vacation. You knew that, right?”

“Oh?” I said flatly. “Good for them.”

“You’re disgusting,” she spat. “She doesn’t even care, so who are you putting on this show for?”

“Anyway, I’m just doing my job. A big client’s coming today, and they need you. Show up if you want. But if you don’t, let’s see how you explain yourself to President Cole.”

Then she hung up.

Same bad temper as always.

But what does any of this have to do with me?

So now, while Vanessa and Julian are off enjoying a vacation, I’m supposed to come back and clean up their mess?

My phone buzzed again. I looked down.

It was a message from the company group chat. I hadn’t exited it yet.