CHAPTER 002

Liar.

He said he would be back soon, but I was alone in the empty room all night.

I couldn’t stop thinking about this as I dragged myself to Devine Corporation where I work. The company is owned by Jason's family and Jason is the CEO and my boss.

Each step felt heavy as I walked through the corridors that once felt comforting. Now they seemed filled with echoes of unanswered questions.

My best friend and colleague Sally Grey greeted me with concern as she entered my office right after me. 

“Ava, are you okay? You don't look well.”

Forcing a smile, I nodded. "I'm fine, just tired."

She eyes me skeptical but decides not to press further. 

“Well, you'll be pleased to hear that today they're announcing the new design director. It has to be you, Ava. You've worked so hard for it. Congratulations in advance babe.”

“Thanks, Sally. I appreciate your support.”

I am somewhat calm because I knew the position would be mine. Jason had assured me and I was ready to take on the responsibilities of the design director.

I noticed everyone's phone buzzing with a new notification including mine.

“I know it must be the appointment notification.” Sally hurriedly checked her phone.

Her brows furrowed as she read the message, she looked up at me, her expression mixed with confusion and misbelief.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

"The new design director is Laura Martinez. Who the hell is Laura Martinez?”

“What?” I gasped in shock upon hearing the familiar name that tormented me last night.

Laura Martinez here in this company? It couldn't be the same lady from last night, could it?

Yet the name was unmistakable, leaving me frozen in disbelief. How could this be happening?

Snatching up Sally's phone, I read the notice again, hoping for some clarification that would dispel my shock. But there it was plain as day: Laura Martinez was indeed appointed as the new design director.

My heart sank. How could Jason bring Laura into my world like this?

Lost in my thoughts I barely noticed the chatter of my female colleagues around me as my mind was flooded with unanswered questions. 

A colleague tapped me on my shoulders, snapping me out of my daze.

“Hey, Ava we were asked to go to the conference room. The CEO wants to introduce the new design director.” 

I nodded mechanically, still clutching Sally's phone in my hands.

Sally was also in shock standing rooted in a spot for several minutes. I knew she had lots of questions, but she said nothing and kept staring at me.

Sally was the only person in the company who knew I was married to Jason, others knew the CEO was married but had never seen the face of his wife.

As we walked towards the conference room snippets of conversation floated around me.

“Did you hear? The new design director is the CEO's wife.” 

The words hit me like a slap. 

“Oh, now I understand why he appointed her as the design director and not Ava. I feel so bad for Ava, the position was meant to be hers, she has worked so hard for it.”

“She can't compete with the CEO's wife, can she? Connection matters more than talent in this generation so she should just accept her fate.”

Sally held my hand and squeezed it tightly, I could sense that she felt bad for me. I glanced over at her and forced a fake smile to show her I was okay but deep down my heart was bleeding.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation, everyone was curious to see the CEO's wife who was going to be the design director of the company.

The door flew open and Laura walked majestically into the room. Her presence silenced the room as all heads turned toward her direction.

Laura's brown hair flowed around her shoulders, and she looked confident and beautiful in her navy blue suit.

I felt a sharp pain in my heart as I watched her greet everyone with a poised smile.

She walked towards Jason and sat by his side. She whispered something in his ears and Jason's face lit up.

My hands tightened around Sally's phone as I fought back the tears in my eyes. 

Sally who was seated beside me noticed and squeezed my hands gently in support.

Beside Laura, Jason stood and proudly announced, “Everyone this is Laura Martinez, the new design director. Her ideas and creativity will take our company to new heights, please cooperate with her.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach as everyone clapped. I had hoped for this job and worked hard for it only for it to be given to a mysterious woman right in front of my eyes.

“Wow, they look so happy together, they are such a perfect couple. Their kids would be so beautiful,” a colleague whispered.

My heart ached even more as I thought of the little one growing inside me. I tried to maintain my composure but inside I felt a mix of hurt and disbelief.

After the announcement, I returned to my office. I was so angry that I thought of walking straight to Jason's office to demand an explanation of why he gave my position to a mysterious woman and who Laura was to him.

But I couldn't because I knew that would attract attention to us and I didn't want that so I decided to do the confrontation after work.

I tried to concentrate on my work but it was hard.

Laura kept walking by my door, and the piercing sound of her high heels seemed like a kind of arrogant show-off, disturbing my restlessness. There was no other way, I could only numb my fluctuating mood with more work.

Before I knew it, it was completely dark. I checked the time, it was almost eleven o'clock in the evening. I rubbed my neck which was sore from fatigue and decided to go home.

As I was leaving, I noticed Jason's office light was still on.

I felt a strong urge to go to his door like something was pulling me there.

Just as I got close to his door I heard Jason's gentle voice, “Don't cry, you will ruin your makeup.”

A shiver ran down my spine. 

Jason has never spoken to me this gently before and a bad idea crept into my mind.

I lifted my legs to leave not wanting to face this potentially cruel fact but my legs remained rooted to the spot.

I pushed the door open just a crack and saw Jason gently running his fingers through Laura’s hair. She was curled up against him, crying softly in a voice that could melt anyone's heart.

I blinked rapidly trying to make sense of the shocking scene before me.

What she said next froze me in place.

“But you know that I got divorced because of you.”