Chapter Two Cold To Her 

“Luke, what is the meaning of this?” Josephine’s voice was sharp as she faced Mr. Thompson.

“Is this some joke? Why would you joke with something as delicate as this?” Her hands were shaking as frustration flooded her chest.

Luke smirked, leaning back in his chair with his legs casually stretched across the desk. “Why would you think I’m joking with you?” he asked, his tone mocking.

“Because you asked me out, and I declined. Is it by force to date you?” Josephine snapped, her anger flaring as memories of his persistence came rushing back.

Luke chuckled, leaning forward. “That’s childish, Josephine. I’m not firing you because you rejected me. The boss wanted you gone for misconduct. Should I disobey him?”

“The boss?” Josephine’s heart sank. Only Marcus had the authority to do this. But why would he?

“Marcus asked you to fire me?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

“What? Are you surprised?” Luke sneered. “You were shagging the boss, weren’t you?”

Her stomach lurched. How did he know? She had kept everything about her relationship with Marcus a secret.

“Mind your words, Luke,” she warned coldly.

Luke’s grin grew wider. He had known from Marcus himself, but he decided to keep that part a secret, something he and Marcus called, ‘bro code.’

“The general manager from the central bank found out about you two one way or the other. It was either you or him, so he had you fired. Pack up your things before I call security.” He hissed, knowing fully when the GM from the central bank, Marcus and he were all part of the same circle and this was just a plan to discard her.

Josephine’s world felt like it was crumbling. “Are you threatening me now?” she hissed, trying to mask the raw fury that churned inside her.

“You’re sleeping with the boss. Isn’t that why you’re here?” Luke mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. “The sack letter clearly states misconduct. Didn’t you read it?”

Her hands clenched the letter tighter as her eyes scanned it again. The words burned into her soul: Fired for misconduct. And at the very bottom, the signature was unmistakable. Marcus.

Her breath caught in her throat. The betrayal hit her like a physical blow. Her mind raced as she turned and walked out of Luke’s office, trying not to break down in front of him.

When she entered the elevator, her heart thudded in her chest, and she struggled to steady her breathing. “How could Marcus do this to me?” The thought echoed relentlessly in her mind. After everything she had done for him?

When the elevator doors opened on the 44th floor, she rushed straight to Marcus’ office, desperate for answers.

“Is the boss in?” she asked the secretary urgently.

The secretary didn’t even look up. “Not on-site right now, ma’am.”

Her heart dropped. “When will he be back?”

“Check back later,” the secretary added, not even bothering to meet her gaze.

Josephine’s panic grew as she left the office, her mind spinning. What was happening?

Pulling out her phone, she dialed Marcus’ number, only to hear the robotic voice: The number you are trying to call is busy. Please try again later.

Frustration surged through her as she called again, then again. Busy. Try again later.

Her hands were shaking now. She stormed back to the elevator and pressed the button for her floor, but nothing could quiet the storm inside her.

When she arrived at her office, she froze. Security guards were packing her desk, throwing her things into boxes without a care in the world.

“Where are you throwing my things?” she demanded, but they didn’t respond. They ignored her completely.

Her eyes scanned the floor for Marcus. Maybe he was nearby, orchestrating this. Instead, she caught sight of Bianca and Elizabeth whispering and glancing her way.

“No wonder she was always getting those awards,” Bianca hissed. “She was sleeping with the boss for them.”

Josephine’s blood boiled, but she didn’t engage. She had bigger things to deal with.

Seeing that security was now taking her personal belongings downstairs, she followed them immediately wanting to get them.

Getting downstairs, the sight of Marcus in the lobby nearly stopped her heart.

He was walking toward the elevator, a curvy woman at his side, laughing at something he said. His arm was casually draped around her shoulders, and they looked like a couple.

Josephine’s heart sank again. Her world tilted on its axis.

“Marcus?” she whispered, unable to hide the hurt in her voice.

He turned slowly, his face cold, distant. “What is it, Ms. Walter?” he asked, his tone flat, as if she were just another employee.

Josephine felt her breath catch. Ms. Walter? Was this how he saw her now?

“Am I supposed to call you something else?” Marcus asked, his voice devoid of warmth.

Josephine’s gaze shifted to the woman at his side, whose smile made her stomach churn. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed.

“You asked Luke to fire me?” Josephine’s voice trembled with disbelief.

Marcus nodded indifferently. “Yes. Why are you still here? You should be packing your things.”

The words hit her like a slap. Packing her things? Just like that?

“Marcus?” Her voice was small, her mind struggling to catch up. “Why?”

“Because you were guilty of misconduct,” he replied flatly.

“Misconduct? Marcus, we were both complicit in this. You insisted we do it in the office. Why am I the only one being punished?” Her voice cracked, her loyalty to him evident despite his betrayal.

Marcus sighed, his tone devoid of empathy. “Look, Josephine, I’ll be straight with you. I don’t love you. I tried, I really did. But it just didn’t happen. I saw effort in you, and that’s why I kept trying. I even proposed to you... but it’s not working. I can’t keep pretending.”

He gestured toward the woman standing beside him, who smiled broadly. “This is Vivian. She’s the one I’ve always loved. We broke up before, but now we’re back together.”

Josephine’s anger flared. “Vivian is the one you’ve always loved? Really? But when you lost all your money to that Ponzi scheme, when you begged me for help to start over—what happened then? You didn’t know she was ‘the one,’ did you?” Her voice rose, trembling with anger.

“You promised to pay me back, Marcus! I gave you everything—my time, my money, my trust. I sold my family heirloom for you! And when you couldn’t pay me back, I didn’t fight it. I thought we shared something real, something special. But now... she’s the one you love?” Her voice cracked under the weight of her own words.

Marcus didn’t even look at her. He tightened his grip on Vivian’s hand, smiling at her as if Josephine didn’t exist. “I’m sorry you had to witness this, babe. I promise, this is the last time you’ll hear or see her.” He kissed Vivian’s palm, ignoring Josephine entirely.

Without another word to Josephine, he said to Vivian again. “Let’s go, babe,” then he curled his hand behind her back like he was protecting her as they walked away.

Josephine stood there, frozen, as the weight of his words sank in. She watched them walk into the elevator together, and her heart shattered.