He wasn’t just competing with other companies; he was competing with the idea of me getting back with Ethan. He spent the
entire month badmouthing Ethan, much to my
amusement.
I glanced at the time. “It’s late.” He should go.
“There’s a sofa,” he said. “I can crash here.
I’ll drive you to work tomorrow.”
Any other man, and I’d be suspicious. But he
was so focused on getting me to work for
him, and he was always respectful. I trusted
him.
“There’s a guest room, too. You don’t have to
sleep on the sofa.”
The next morning, as we left my apartment,
we ran into Ethan. He saw us together and
his expression changed. “Sarah, you… you let
him stay the night?”
Before I could respond, Alex jumped in.
“Ethan, what’s it to you? Sarah’s not like you and Tina! And besides, you’re her ex. Mind
your own business.”
I ignored the sadness in Ethan’s eyes. “Ethan, we broke up. Please don’t come here
anymore. I wouldn’t want Tina to get the
wrong idea.” I walked to the car without looking back.
r
He’d chosen lies and betrayal. There was no
going back.
Alex sped off, and Ethan quickly disappeared
from view. He was driving so fast, we got
pulled over by a traffic cop. I’d never been
publicly scolded like that before. I couldn’t
even look up. The lingering sadness I’d felt
vanished completely.
Alex, feeling guilty, transferred $20,000 to my
account as “emotional distress
compensation.” I couldn’t even be mad at
him.
I was busy for months after starting my new
job. So busy that I barely registered the news
of Ethan’s new girlfriend, his company’s IPO troubles, the scandal. I had no time for
gossip, no time for sadness.
I’d worried that my assertive nature would clash with Alex’s, just like it had with Ethan. But Alex just kept cooking for me, buying me clothes, shielding me from unwanted
attention, arranging my travel
accommodations… He was my unofficial life assistant, and he loved it.
People told him, “Sarah’s manipulative! Be careful! She was kicked out of Ethan’s
company for her schemes!” “She’s running the show now, Alex! Watch out, or you’ll be reporting to her!”
L
Ethan had listened to similar whispers, and it
had poisoned our relationship. I was worried about how Alex would react, planning to talk
to him about it.
