Wedding invitations.
I still remember how the whole office lit up when she handed out those invitations. Her cheeks were a little flushed as everyone teased her and congratulated her. I’d never seen her smile like that before.
And then she placed an invitation on my table.
“I know you’ve only been here for a few months,” she said lightly. “But since you’re my junior... I wanted to invite you. I hope you can come.”
I stared at the card for a second too long. Then I forced myself to lift my head and smile.
“Congrats, Elena,” I said, keeping my voice even.
She thanked me with that same gentle smile, the kind I had secretly started working for. But in that moment, reality hit me square in the chest.
Because I was too late.
Far too late.
And for reasons I couldn’t admit back then, it stung more than it should have.
—?—
Three years passed.
My father had been constantly telling me to quit and finally step into the family business. And honestly? He had a point. I’d gotten enough experience here anyway.
So yeah, I actually drafted my resignation letter. I planned on telling Elena first before handing it over to our manager. But that plan died the moment I saw her walk in this morning with swollen eyes. She tried to hide it, obviously. But she failed miserably because it was written all over her face. Anyone with eyes could see she’d been crying. So I slipped the resignation letter back into my bag and pulled out something else instead.
I placed my Wayfarers on her desk.
Elena looked up, startled. “Harley... what are you—?”
“Just tell people you’ve got an eye infection and it’s contagious,” I muttered.
She actually laughed for a second before replying softly, “Um... thanks.”
I dropped back into my chair, eyes still on her. I didn’t want to know who the hell made her cry like that, but I already had someone in mind. And I prayed I was wrong. I prayed it wasn’thim—the lucky bastard who made me step aside before I ever even had the chance to make a move.
But of course, my instincts were always right. One not-so-accidental glance at her search history told me everything. Either he’s stupid or just ungrateful, but that dumbass cheated on Elena. What the hell else was he looking for? He married the most attractive woman on the planet, she’s carrying his child, and somehow he still managed to screw everything up this badly.
What. A. Fool.
—?—
Two years later, I was still working there. Still biding my time, though I didn’t even know what I was waiting for anymore, probably some false hope I should’ve let die a long time ago. My father had been on my case nonstop, ordering me to quit and return to our company. I told him soon, buying myself time for something... orsomeone.
Turned out I was wrong.
Even after two years, Elena still hadn’t left that cheating bastard. I got it, they were raising a child together. But I truly thought Elena would divorce him after giving birth and just co-parent with the guy. Forgiving something like that... it never felt like her.
Eventually, though, I realized something was off. She still spaced out sometimes, and when she smiled, I could tell it was forced. Nothing like the easy, effortless smile she used to have.
I didn’t want to cross any lines. God knew I’d kept my distance for years.
But I cared.
More than I should.
And maybe I never stopped.
