The End of a Hidden Love Story

The next day, I walked into Declan's company and handed in my resignation.

My coworker, Ruth Collins, stared at me in disbelief. "Scarlett, are you out of your mind? You're about to be promoted to Chief Technology Officer. If you quit now, all that hard work will go to waste!"

I smiled but didn't say a word.

The title was something I had spent years fighting tooth and nail to earn. But what did it matter now? Declan and I were done, and staying in his company just made me sick.

"I'm getting married soon. I'll probably help out at my husband's firm," I answered.

Ruth froze momentarily. Then, she broke into a smile. "Oh! Well, congratulations! Speaking of weddings, Mr. Gibson is getting married, too. I can't believe he's engaged to Beatrice. But honestly, they do look great together.

"No wonder he always kept his distance from women. Turns out, he's in love with her. And I heard they've known each other since they were kids."

She kept talking, but I turned and walked away. I couldn't bear to hear another word. Knowing that the man I had dated for years was about to marry someone else cut deep.

At that moment, the office door swung open. Declan walked in with Beatrice in tow.

Everyone stood as soon as they entered.

"Good morning!" Beatrice greeted brightly. She looked radiant, nothing like someone who was supposed to be dying of cancer.

Declan wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling warmly. "Let me introduce you all. This is Beatrice Porter. She'll be our new CTO."

"Welcome, Ms. Porter," came a chorus of greetings.

Everyone gave her a warm welcome, except me. I stayed exactly where I was, completely still.

Right then, Declan's gaze landed on me. His expression darkened as he snapped, "Scarlett Fletcher, did you not hear me introduce the new CTO? You can't even say hello?"

I pressed my lips together and remained silent.

Beatrice, on the other hand, smiled and extended a hand toward me.

"You must be Scarlett. Declan has told me about you," she began. "Looks like we'll be working together now. Be kind to me, okay?"

I stared at her outstretched hand and felt nothing but provocation in the gesture. I had worked for years to earn that CTO role, but the moment she joined the company, it was handed to her on a silver platter.

It felt like a slap in the face. In Declan's eyes, I had never been the one he truly favored.

Then, Beatrice leaned in close and whispered, "Oh, Scarlett. You dated Declan for years, and he never once introduced you to anyone. He never loved you. If you know what's good for you, get out of here."

Having said her piece, she pulled back. The sweet smile was still plastered on her face. It was as if we were close friends.

"Scarlett, your earrings are gorgeous," she commented, as though she had just leaned in to admire my jewelry and not to deliver a warning.

Declan tugged her back to his side, saying, "No need to be that polite to a regular employee. Those earrings are just cheap knock-offs. They're nothing worth complimenting."

With that, he wrapped an arm around Beatrice's waist again and walked off.

…

Meanwhile, I stood there with my hand suspended. I felt like a fool.

Ruth couldn't help but mutter, "Seriously? That was a bit much, even for Mr. Gibson. Even if he's trying to impress his fiancee, did he really have to say that? Doesn't he care how that makes us feel?"

I lowered my head, pulled my hand back, and tightened my grip on the resignation letter.