To My Former Love: I Free You

My head was spinning as I unlocked my phone to skim the top headlines. The first one caught my eye. It read, "Renowned Designer Leaks Client Blueprints."

With trembling hands, I tapped on it and scanned the article.

Then, I forced myself to steady my breathing. This company was my life's work. I couldn't let it crumble so easily.

Soon, the office sent over the surveillance footage. It confirmed that Katherine had secretly photographed and leaked the blueprints.

The legal team asked how I wanted to handle it. I took a deep breath before saying, "Call the police. Sue her."

…

At the police station, Katherine stared at me, her eyes bloodshot and swollen. "Feli, please… Just let me go. Stop bullying me at work!"

I stepped aside and handed the documents I had organized to the officer. "Here's what happened. We demand a full investigation into this case of corporate espionage."

At those words, Katherine broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

I furrowed my brow. Just as I was about to point out that Gabriel wasn't here and that her tears would change nothing, he strode into the station.

A second later, he snatched the papers from my hand and told the police officer, "We're dropping the case."

I stared him down. "Gabriel, do you even realize how much damage this could cause the company?"

He looked down at me, murmuring, "Kat's still young. Don't ruin her."

Then, he showed the police officer the business license.

"I'm the owner of the company. She's just the general manager I brought in. We've decided to drop the case."

Almost immediately, Katherine collapsed into Gabriel's arms, sobbing, while a chill ran through me.

I had forgotten that I was never truly the company's owner—just as Gabriel had never truly been mine.

…

As soon as I left the police station, I bought a train ticket to Brightwood.

When we were young, Gabriel and I made a pact. If one of us ever betrayed the other, the one left behind would go to Brightwood, and the other was forbidden from ever setting foot there.

Yet, I hadn't expected to see Gabriel and Katherine again, not just before I was to leave.

Mr. Harrington's new company had just gone public, and he had personally invited me to the event.

There, I saw Katherine nestled against Gabriel's chest. I fixed my gaze on the dress she was wearing, my fingers trembling.

It was the very outfit Gabriel had designed for me at my first family gathering at the Sawyer residence.

"Felicity, even though I design jewelry, I'll personally design clothes for you. And they're meant for you alone," he had said.

Right then, Katherine finally seemed to notice me. She twirled with delight and exclaimed, "Look, Feli! Isn't it beautiful? Gaby gave this to me. It's the first dress he ever designed, and it means so much. He wanted me to shine!"

She pointed to her chest area before adding, "It was too small here. Fortunately, he made some adjustments just for me."

Gabriel, on the other hand, avoided my gaze. Guilt was written all over his face as he said, "It's just a dress. I'll make you another one."

Before I could respond, Katherine suddenly gasped. A stain spread rapidly across her chest, and the dress was ruined in an instant.

But Gabriel seized my wrist, tipped the drink onto Katherine's chest, then slapped me hard. "Felicity! No matter how angry you are, you can't just throw your drink at Kat!"

Stunned, I stared at him.

"Play along," he whispered. "Kat will get married one day. What would happen to her if anyone saw her like this? You'll have to take the hit for now."

Tears streamed down my face as I forced a bitter smile. "Would you be okay if she married someone else? Maybe she should just marry you."

Having said that, I turned to leave, ignoring Gabriel's shouts from behind me.

He ran after me and grabbed my arm. "I'll explain after the wedding tomorrow."

I shook my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. There wouldn't be a wedding.

However, Gabriel assumed I was just sulking. "Do as I say, okay?"

Just like that, he turned back to console Katherine.

…

Early the next morning, I headed to the airport.

On my way there, Gabriel's wedding car glided past my cab. I saw him and Katherine sitting side by side in the back seat. They looked every bit like a newlywed couple.

I told myself it didn't matter anymore. After all, I was leaving. From now on, whatever happened to them was none of my concern.

But I didn't notice the moment Gabriel turned and his eyes locked onto mine.

Then, as if he had gone mad, he lunged at the driver and seized the steering wheel. "Turn around! Turn around right now!"