4
The project in my hands was nearing its end, and communication with the client was becoming more frequent. The plan might need to be revised two or three times in an hour. I had been working overtime for almost a week, and today we finally reached the crucial point.
As long as we got through this, the project would be completed.
I stretched lazily, deciding to go out and treat myself to a good meal tonight.
But as I stretched, I bumped into someone, scaring me so much that I let out a cry. When I looked back, it was Mark.
When did he start standing behind me?
“Still working overtime?”
Mark didn’t seem to care about my pale face from the fright, and asked naturally.
I didn’t know why he suddenly came to find me, so I could only try to calm down and say: “Mr. Mark, is there anything I can help you with?”
3
11:39 AM J.
<
A trace of displeasure flashed across Mark’s face. He wasn’t used to my distance.
But he still patiently said: “Why don’t you hand over your clients and projects to Olivia? She needs the practice.”
A chill crept into my heart.
Even though I knew Mark was outrageous, I didn’t think he could be this outrageous.
HH
Seeing my silence, Mark stepped forward, placing both hands on my shoulders, and said: “There are always some rumors in the company. She’s just a young girl, how can she bear all this? With this project in hand, those who question her will shut up. You’re a senior, it’s right to help juniors.”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly and roll my eyes.
Mark knew very well how many nights I had stayed up for this project, even to the point of cardiac arrest and being rushed to the hospital for
rescue.
But as soon as I entered the hospital doors, he was taken away by a light phone call from Olivia.
My life wasn’t even as important as Olivia’s coat.
And now, this project that I had desperately worked on until the end, he casually wanted to give to Olivia with just a few words.
He considered Olivia, strived to protect her reputation, but never considered whether all this was fair to me.
“Fine, let her come to take over tomorrow.”
It’s just right to submit my resignation letter as well. I’ve done my duty to this company.
As for what happens afterwards, with Mark’s interference, I couldn’t control it even if I wanted to. It’s better to let go generously.
It seemed that he hadn’t expected me to be so agreeable. Mark was stunned for a moment.
But then he was overjoyed and hugged me: “I was wrong in the past. I always thought you were petty and stubborn. I didn’t expect you to be so understanding today. Let’s go to that revolving restaurant by the river for dinner. You’ve wanted to go there for a long time, right?”
The revolving restaurant by the river? That three–star French restaurant?
I once wanted to spend our wedding anniversary there, but now all of this is meaningless.
Mark put his arm around my shoulders, his tone much gentler: “We’ve been married for many years, what obstacle can’t we overcome? Control your temper a bit. In a few days, we’ll withdraw the divorce application, and then I’ll accompany you back to your parents‘ home. You haven’t been back for many years, right? This time, we’ll stay for a few days.”
I listened to Mark painting this rosy picture for me, remaining silent.
He seemed to think I had agreed to everything, and continued to talk enthusiastically. Even after I had saved my files and gotten into the car with him, he didn’t stop talking.
Sitting in the back seat, I was scrolling through my social media feed when I saw a photo Olivia had posted. She was wearing an evening gown, sitting in a spacious open–air restaurant, elegantly eating a candlelit dinner.
The date showed it was an hour ago.
Looking at the river in the background, I couldn’t help but smile sarcastically.
So she had already enjoyed it, and Mark was considerate enough to rush from one scene to arrange the next with me after finishing the previous one.
He didn’t even bother to change the location.
11:39 AM
<
We ended up not having this meal.
When we were going downstairs, Mark received a call from Olivia.
He looked at me with difficulty, and I pretended not to know it was Olivia, waving my hand generously: “I’m very tired, you go ahead with your
business.”
Mark couldn’t ask for more.
He called a taxi for me, repeatedly instructing the driver, acting as if he was very concerned.
But as soon as the car left, I saw in the rearview mirror that he immediately turned around and headed straight for the underground parking
lot.
When people are speechless, they really can’t help but laugh. As I laughed, I felt something cool on my face.
As the wind blew, the chill was carried into my heart.
Forget it, tomorrow is the last day.
After tomorrow, once we get the divorce certificate, Mark and I will be complete strangers.
I returned home, poured myself a glass of wine, and had a small drink to celebrate my freedom in advance.
When I was slightly tipsy, I saw a shooting star streak across the sky. I couldn’t help but stand up, leaning on the railing and leaning forward.
I wanted to chase that moment of brilliance.
Maybe my movement was too fast, or maybe I appeared too unsteady.
I only had time to hear an urgent “What are you doing?” before my body was forcefully pulled back.
The next second, I fell into a fragrant embrace.
“Don’t you know this is very dangerous!”
Mark’s voice was full of concern, but the smell on him made me want to vomit.
I pointed to the sky outside and said: “Shooting star…”
Shooting star!
On the day we fell in love, there was a meteor shower in the sky, beautiful and romantic.
He had promised to accompany me to watch the meteor shower every year, no matter where it was or when. He said he would put down everything in his hands to accompany me.
But year after year, he stood me up every time.
What I cared about wasn’t the meteor shower, what I cared about was the future he had promised back then.
Mark let out a long sigh and said irritably: “It’s just a shooting star, isn’t it? I’ll take you to see a meteor shower another day. Don’t joke with your safety again
Just a shooting star…
That wasn’t a shooting star, that was your promise, and you just brushed it off so lightly.
“Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary, let’s spend it together. I’ll come pick you up.”
Mark said to himself, he didn’t ask for my opinion, he was just informing me.
11:39 AM
<
I looked at his empty ring finger, the mark from the wedding ring was almost gone, showing it had been taken off for a long time.
I didn’t know he had been so biased for so long.
“Okay.”
I didn’t object, just treating it as a proper end to this marriage.
Maybe to make up for me, this time the restaurant was set at the same place as last time.
When I arrived, I saw that the reserved seat at the restaurant was actually the same table where Olivia had sat before.
I felt uncomfortable immediately and quickly asked the waiter to change to another table.
However, from afternoon to evening, from evening to midnight, my phone was almost out of battery, and Mark still hadn’t come.
I was so hungry that my stomach hurt, so I had to ask the restaurant to serve me a small cake first.
With something to eat, the cramping in my stomach got a bit better.
I called Mark, but no one answered.
A surge of anger welled up in me. Mark was indeed still incorrigible, making promises casually and never keeping them.
Only I fell for it every time, foolishly waiting again and again!
What a waste of my time!
I opened my contact list intending to urge him, but I saw that the group chat had exploded.
Ten minutes ago, an anonymous email was sent to everyone in the company.
It was full of scenes of Olivia and Mark going out together, many shots taken from angles that made it look like Olivia was seducing Mark, while he remained unmoved.
The email title was even more explosive: Assistant seduces married man, uses body to get projects, despicable and shameful!
After these ambiguous photos, there were scenes of me handing over the project to Olivia. I looked haggard, while Olivia was glowing.
Every word seemed to be defending me.
But every word also directed all the public opinion towards me.
