Chapter 001

CHAPTER 1.

IVY.

I raised my head to find my boyfriend, Leon, standing at the door, a white towel wrapped around his waist.

He held one hand on the towel, trying to keep it from slipping off, while the other rested on the doorframe.

My eyes widened at the sight of him, but my heart sank when I noticed my cousin, Hailey, lying on the bed completely naked, desperately dragging the sheets to cover herself.

Just a moment ago, I looked at the numbers inscribed on the door of Santaro Hotel before knocking. I was supposed to deliver a package to some customers who had placed an order, but who would have imagined I would be delivering condoms to my fiancé and his side piece?

The pain in my heart deepened; it wasn't just any woman—it was Hailey, my own cousin.

I felt trapped in a nightmare. A lump formed in my throat, making it difficult to speak or swallow. I held my breath, refusing to believe what I was seeing. "Hailey," I managed to mutter, my voice shaking.

In that hotel room, my world began to crumble.

There was Leon, and there was Hailey—the two people I trusted most—engaged in an intimate act.

The package I was holding slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor, bursting open to reveal packs of condoms and pills.

Leon glanced down at the fallen items. "You can leave it right there on the floor and take your leave!" he said dismissively as if nothing significant had just happened.

My brows furrowed as I turned to face him. How could Leon show no remorse that I, his fiancée and soon-to-be wife, had caught him cheating? Our plans now felt like a sham.

"Leon," I managed to say, my voice cracking with sadness. "You’re cheating on me?"

"Cheating?" he sighed, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Ivy. I wasn't cheating on you. I was making the best choice for myself."

I felt as if I might pass out at his words, but I steeled myself to hear him out.

"Look around you," he continued coldly. "You have nothing to offer if I make you my wife, but your cousin has a lot to bring to the table. Partnering with her will elevate my status in my family."

His words pierced through me, and tears welled up despite my efforts to hold them back. The thought of him using those condoms with someone who wasn't me made my chest ache. I could almost envision him thrusting deep into her while whispering dirty words.

I winced. Without another word, I turned and left, the door swinging open behind me.

I dashed to the elevator, desperate to avoid anyone seeing my tear-streaked face. My life had already felt like a living hell since my parents passed away, and I had thought marrying Leon would be my escape, despite his abusive behavior.

Hailey, my cousin and supposed friend had been the one I confided in about Leon's abuse. She always told me to be patient, and that he would come to his senses once he realized how much I loved him. Now, she was the one betraying my trust, having sex with my fiancé in a hotel room.

As I rushed out of the elevator, I accidentally bumped into a man slightly taller than me. "I’m sorry, sir!" I said quickly, avoiding eye contact, and dove back into the elevator just as the doors began to close.

Once the doors shut, I lost control of my tears. They streamed down my cheeks as I sobbed, overwhelmed by a deep sense of regret and betrayal. I had given myself to Leon for three years as his partner and punching bag, only to have him choose my cousin over me.

Minutes later, I reached the small, cozy lobby of the hotel. I yanked the door open and locked it behind me. Sliding down to the floor with my back against the door, I glanced at my wrist and saw the identical best friend necklace I had made with Hailey. In a fit of rage, I yanked it off and threw it out the window, not wanting anything that reminded me of her or Leon.

Meanwhile, after I left, Leon didn’t bother to chase after me or to tell me, “It’s not what you think, baby.” I knew he was going to have sex with her; I just wanted him to come after me like any sensible boyfriend would. He should have pleaded for my forgiveness, but instead, I heard the sound of him shutting the door. Was I that worthless to him?

---

About two hours later, I arrived at work and quickly parked my bike in the lot. It was 6:43 pm, and I was already late. I knew my boss would scold me, but I didn’t care.

I rushed into the editorial office to drop off my keys, only to find the door locked. I checked my watch; it wasn't yet 7 PM, and the doors closed exactly at that time. I knocked repeatedly until the door swung open to reveal my furious manager, Mr. Roberto.

"Good evening, sir. My keys aren’t working," I said, frustration creeping into my voice.

"Well, they’re not meant to work, Ivy," he replied coldly. "As of two hours ago, your services are no longer needed here."

My eyes widened in shock. "I’m sorry, sir. Are you firing me?" I asked, bewildered. He nodded curtly.

"Why would you want to do that?" I added.

"I received a report that you didn’t deliver your last package on time and that you shouted at one of our VIP customers. The report also claims that you assaulted his fiancée and used profanity against him," he explained slowly as if he didn't care for my side of the story.

"Please, sir, I’m sorry. That’s not what happened," I pleaded. "I promise that's not what happened." I paused, realizing I couldn’t tell him the truth—that it was my boyfriend, or rather, my ex-boyfriend, and my cousin I had caught in that hotel room.

"Sir, it was a misunderstanding. I delivered the package in good condition, but I was in a hurry and forgot to ask them to sign for it. I can go back and find them if you want. Please, you can’t fire me right now!" I cried.

"Ivy, I don’t want to hear any more excuses. You’ve been given too many chances. Please leave the company premises now!" Mr. Roberto sneered.

"Can I at least retrieve my belongings from the locker room? My house keys are in there," I asked, my knees nearly buckling.

"One step inside, and I’ll call the police!" he threatened, pulling out his phone. "Ivy, I’m dialing already..."

I sharply retreated. "No, sir, it’s fine. I’ll leave."

With that, I walked out of the company, my world crashing down around me for the second time in just a few hours. What hurt the most about losing my job was not having the chance to tell my side of the story. This job had been my lifeline; the pay might have been small, but it had helped me immensely, and now, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.

I sighed deeply as I waved down a cab. I knew Leon was responsible for this. I couldn’t believe my boss would fire me over such a minor mistake. It felt like he was punishing me for something else, or perhaps someone wealthy had told him to do so.

A rush of fury filled me, and I wished I could confront Leon for everything he had done. Even sitting in the cab, I hoped he was home so I could finally face him. How could he ask my boss to fire me despite knowing how broke I was? I would have left his house, but I didn’t have the money to find a place of my own—not after secretly becoming his highest shareholder to save his company from going bankrupt.