Chapter 2 In the end , it was my parents who stayed behind to comfort me . " Why don't you come back to Pemberly with us ? " It wasn't the first time they'd made the offer . I sank into the chair , meeting their hopeful gazes . They were the founders of Pemberly's most prestigious law firm , and it was their influence that led me to pursue a career in law . I was originally meant to train at their firm after graduation . But everything changed when I met Damien during my graduate studies . I decided to follow him to Aberton instead . Damien came from a rural background and harbored resentment toward those born into privilege . Aware of this , I chose not to reveal my own privileged upbringing . For five years , he believed I was just another person who'd clawed their way up from the countryside . During those years , I advanced from a junior lawyer to a trusted and respected attorney . For three consecutive years , Damien and I earned the firm's top bonuses , and we became known as the company's most formidable power couple . Things were finally starting to look up , and I often believed that Damien wouldn't mind if I finally told him the truth . But the right moment never came . Now , looking back , I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I no longer needed to tell him . " … Alright , " I murmured at last . " I'll come back home . " My parents ' eyes lit up as they clasped my hands tightly . " That's the spirit . We'll book your flight right away . We won't let you stay here and keep getting hurt . " After helping them settle in , I headed back to my place . The house was just as silent and empty as ever . I quickly cooked a batch of boxed mac and cheese and launched my Instagram app , only to see a post from Astrid . She was wearing a tight athletic outfit , posing playfully with Damien . " I tricked Mr. Thornwell out of his wedding just so he'd play tennis with me . He was a bit annoyed at first , but once I mentioned dinner at my place afterward , he brightened right up ! " I felt a pang of disgust . Damien wouldn't be coming home that night , just like every night before . Fortunately , we never legally tied the knot . So I no longer had to sacrifice my own happiness . The next morning , I walked into the firm with my suitcase in tow , ready to hand over my resignation . Because of my strong performance , my supervisor , Hilda McCarthy , immediately tried to convince me to stay . We were still in the midst of a discussion when Damien appeared , carrying a stack of papers . Out of the corner of my eye , I caught sight of the love marks on his neck and noticed the sweet scent of peaches lingering around him . It didn't take much to guess what kind of night he'd had . Damien always hated it when I left kiss marks on him , saying it could cause problems at work . So even during our most intimate moments , I held myself back , clutching the bedsheets instead . It turned out he didn't mind a hickey , just as long as it wasn't from me . As soon as he walked in , Hilda let out a weary sigh . " Perfect timing . Can you talk some sense into your girlfriend ? She's thinking of quitting . Did you two have a fight ? " " It has nothing to do with him . " " You're resigning ? " Our voices rang out together , From the corner of my eye , I sensed Damien's gaze fixed on me , his lips drawn tight in a thin line . " So that's what this is about . You're mad I canceled the wedding yesterday , aren't you ? " Sensing the shift in the room , Hilda quietly excused herself . As the door clicked shut , Damien stepped forward , his voice sharp with accusation . " I've already told you that the wedding was canceled because Astrid injured her leg . Why are you blowing this out of proportion ? " I forced myself to stay composed and looked him in the eye . " I'm not upset , " I said . " I'm just tired and could use a break . Maybe a vacation would help . " But that wasn't the truth . Damien crossed his arms , his brow knitting together in suspicion . " If you want a vacation , why not just use your annual leave ? Quitting suddenly will make people think you have problems with Astrid . She's just a young woman . How is she supposed to keep working here if rumors start flying ? " He seemed to have forgotten entirely that I'd already exhausted all my annual leave this year , taking time off every time he canceled a wedding . But that didn't matter to him . All he cared about was how Astrid would cope at the firm . A wave of sorrow washed over me . My gaze returned to the hickey on Damien's neck , but I said nothing . " It's just a mosquito bite . Don't read too much into it , " he mumbled . I was surprised he didn't get defensive . Instead , he stumbled through an awkward excuse . His words felt forced , but if I were still the person I used to be , I might have believed him . I just nodded quietly , choosing to say nothing . Damien exhaled in relief , convinced I'd finally calmed down . He smiled casually before draping his arm over my shoulder . " That's more like it . It takes real magnanimity to be a great lawyer . " Don't be so quick to quit . Tonight , I'll take you to The Gilded Fork for dinner . Think of it as my way of making it up to you . " I kept quiet , and he mistook it for agreement . I wanted to bid him a proper farewell , but the words lodged in my throat . By then , I couldn't bring myself to tell him I was leaving for Pemberly . " Mr. Thornwell ! " Without so much as a knock , Astrid suddenly burst into the room . Startled , Damien instinctively pulled away from me . She offered a sheepish grin . " I'm sorry to interrupt your little date , but I'm stuck on this case and just can't figure it out . " Without glancing back , Damien walked up to Astrid and took the documents from her hand , reading them carefully . He lowered his head and patiently asked her where she was having trouble . Astrid leaned in deliberately , their whispered conversation unfolding right before me , creating an unspoken barrier between us . She slipped her arm through his , and they made their way toward the exit . Just before the door shut , she turned and flashed me a smug smile . The silence in the room was broken only by my steady breath . Suddenly , the emerald bracelet slipped from my wrist and smashed against the floor . Damien had gifted it to me on our first anniversary . He told me that he wished our love would be as perfect and lasting as that bracelet . I remained silent for a long while . Despite the sting of fresh cuts , I carefully gathered the shattered pieces . With them , I threw away the last traces of what we once shared . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. 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