The Anniversary Secret

Eventually, Calvin proposed to me.

"Are you serious?"

Tears of joy streamed down my face.

"I've thought it through," he said. "The days I've spent with you have been the happiest of my life. I want that happiness to last forever."

However, like all beautiful dreams, this one eventually shattered.

When I did not respond, Calvin called me directly.

"Angela, just come back. I'll make them apologize, and we'll put this behind us. Don't make a fuss."

"Will Susie apologize?" I asked.

"Yes, yes!" He sounded relieved, even cheerful. "She said as long as it makes you happy, she's willing to apologize."

"Fine. Tomorrow, then."

Since she was so eager to 'make me happy,' I decided I would enjoy it to the fullest.

The next day, Calvin came to pick me up. Sitting in the passenger seat was Susie.

She blinked innocently and said, "I get carsick, Angela. You don't mind, do you?"

In the past, I would have snapped back at her, and we would have fought.

Not anymore. I simply smiled faintly, said nothing, and slid into the back seat.

At the restaurant, Calvin's friends looked like they had swallowed nails as they mumbled their apologies.

"Angela, we were wrong. We shouldn't have said those things!"

One by one, they apologized.

Thinking the matter settled, Calvin urged us to sit and eat.

However, I stayed standing. "There's still one more person, isn't there?"

My gaze landed on Susie.

She picked up a glass of juice and walked over, her voice soft and pitiful.

"Angela, I know you don't like me. After all, who could accept their husband's first love always being around? I understand. I've wronged you, and I'm sorry."

Calvin's face softened instantly, his voice full of concern.

"Alright, that's enough. Angela won't hold it against you. Everything's out in the open now. Go sit down, don't overexert yourself. You're not in good health."

Then he turned to me. "See? I kept my word. Now let's stop this nonsense."

I just sat there, quietly watching.

"Say something, Angela. Don't just sit there in silence again."

Before I could answer, the doors burst open. Ian strode in, sharp in a tailored suit, every step radiating authority.

"What are you doing here?" I stared at him in surprise.

His voice dripped with disdain. "I wanted to see firsthand what kind of garbage they'd spew at you."

"Watch your mouth, Ian! Don't think we're afraid of you!" Calvin shouted, instinctively shielding Susie behind him.

Ian smirked. "I'm not even here for you. Why so nervous?"

He casually pulled out a chair, sat down, and swept his eyes over the room with bored indifference.

They claimed they were not afraid, but none of them dared speak up.

"Tell you what, Mr. Leeroy," Ian said lazily, "if you're really not afraid, should I go ahead and pull all my funding from Leeroy Group?"

Calvin's face flushed crimson, his lips moving soundlessly before he finally forced out a few words. "What do you want?"

"We're all adults here. Mixing personal grudges with business isn't wise," Calvin tried to steady his voice. "Besides, no matter how much I fight with my wife, it's still between us. It's not for outsiders like you to meddle."

Ian's eyes darkened, and a slow smile tugged at his lips.

"Your wife? You're about to be divorced, and you still call her that? The shamelessness is impressive."

Ian leaned back, unfazed.

"I didn't come to waste words with you. I came to deliver a gift."