The moment Julian called me away, my colleagues immediately started whispering. “Oh my goodness, did you see the news? Juli- an Winthorpe is the CEO of Winthorpe Corporation!” “Lila is going to be the CEO’s wife, isn’t she? But her expression…” “You don’t understand, this is just a lovers‘ quarrel. They’ll make up later, you know…”
Everyone assumed I was the soon–to–be CEO’s wife. Little did they know, all I wanted now was to leave forever.
In the office, Julian reached out, wanting to take my hand. I instinctively stepped back. “Mr. Winthorpe.”
Julian frowned slightly. “Why didn’t you come home last night? Are you still angry with me?”
1 shook my head. “I went to see my mother.” I didn’t go back home because I didn’t want her to see my mother. If only she had rece- ived treatment, my mother would have had hope to live. But she chose to end her life, so as not to burden us.
Julian seemed to notice a hint of something different in my demeanor. After a moment of silence, he spoke: “Tonight, let’s go see your aunt together.” He paused, then seemed to remember something, his eyes filled with hesitation. He slowly handed me a card. “There’s a million dollars in here. Buy your aunt some new clothes. Consider it…”
I looked at the bank card but didn’t take it. What he owed us wasn’t something money could fix. Seeing my silence, a flicker of panic crossed Julian’s eyes. He was about to speak, when a ringtone interrupted his thoughts. Julian pulled out his phone, glanced at me, and after a moment’s hesitation, walked away.
I knew. This was perhaps his so–called test for me. To test my sincerity, to see if I was greedy for money. But I no longer cared. Afterward, I submitted my resignation agreement. The Deputy CEO, Mr. Smith, seemed unsurprised by my sudden request to leave. “Lila, you’re leaving? Is Mr. Winthorpe arranging something else for you?”
I bit my lip, finding it all so absurd. Everyone assumed I was about to become Mrs. Winthorpe, rising into the upper echelons of society. They all envied my luck.
Little did they know I had lost my mother forever because of him. If I had a choice, I would rather never have met Julian Winthorpe. Leaving the company, I saw Julian with his childhood Safe
This
0033 1
Little did they know I had lost my mother forever because of him. If I had a choice, I would rather never have met Julian Winthorpe.
Leaving the company, I saw Julian with his childhood friend, Olivia Reed. Catching my gaze, Julian instinctively began to explain,
This is Olivia Reed, she’s my…”
Before he could finish, Olivia wrapped her arm around his. “Fiancée.”
I said nothing. Then, Olivia spoke again: “Excuse me, please move aside.” A flicker of challenge danced in Olivia’s eyes. I silently took a step back, clearing the path. Julian looked at me, hesitation in his eyes, as if wanting to say something, but Olivia pulled him
away.
That night, I went to the monastery and enshrined my mother’s ashes in the temple. I stayed until the prayers for her passing were completed. Julian did not appear, nor did he ask for me. I didn’t care. Whether he knew of my mother’s death was irrelevant now. I believed that if my mother’s spirit in heaven knew the truth, she wouldn’t want to see him either. Five years of misjudgment ended right then.
