Chapter 1

After a drunken one-night stand with my best friend’s brother, I became his secret girlfriend.

Eight years into our secret relationship, my family forced me into an arranged marriage.

“Dennis, my family gave me an ultimatum. I have to get married this year.”

He paused, then lightly kissed my forehead, repeating his usual, “Just wait a little longer.”

But then I scrolled through Anna, the intern's, Instagram. The picture was her and Dennis’s marriage certificate.

The caption: Got the CEO! Easy win!

Eight years I spent chasing him with no results, and she got him in three months.

Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I liked the post.

My comment: “Congrats! Wishing you everlasting happiness.”

After that, I agreed to the wedding date my family had set.

Suddenly, my phone rang. For the first time, Dennis’s voice was panicked:

“Chloe, don’t misunderstand. I just lost a game with friends, that’s why Anna and I got married…”

I cut him off: “Dennis, I’m getting married.”

A two-second pause on the other end of the line.

Dennis’s voice came through, laced with impatience, mixed with a girl’s soft laughter in the background.

“Here we go again.”

“Are you that desperate to get married? The company’s cash flow is tight; can you please stop making things worse?”

I stood in the evening breeze, holding my phone, my voice flat, without a ripple of emotion.

“I’m not making things worse. I really am getting married.”

He scoffed, as if he’d heard the funniest joke.

“You don’t even have a guy you’re casually dating. Are you marrying thin air?”

I was about to say Nelson’s name.

But he was already rushing to hang up: “Alright, I have another call. Getting married was just a dare I lost, don’t overthink it.”

The dial tone buzzed.

I stared at the disconnected screen, my fingertips cold and stiff.

Eight years. He always said, “Don’t overthink it.”

The next day, I walked into the office carrying a few boxes of donuts and my wedding invitations.

The office was buzzing. Anna was surrounded by a crowd, her face flushed crimson.

“Anna, you’re amazing! Mr. Dennis is such a cold person, and you got him in three months?”

“You’re our boss’s wife now! Don’t forget about us!”

Anna covered her face, giggling, her voice just loud enough to carry across the entire office.

“It’s not what you think, really. We just lost a game and got the certificate. Please don’t spread rumors.”

I sneered. She announced it to the world on Instagram; how is that not spreading rumors?

Her sharp eyes caught sight of the donuts in my hand. She trotted over in her high heels, took my arm, and shook it.

“Did Mr. Dennis ask you to prepare these little gifts for us? Thank you!”

I was about to say no. She snatched the donuts, pushing them into colleagues’ hands.

“Everyone, try some!”

The crowd cheered their thanks, praising Mr. Dennis for being so romantic and thoughtful.

Just then, Dennis stepped out of the elevator.

Everyone cheered, shouting, “Thank you, Mr. Dennis, for the little gifts!”

Anna shyly looked up at him.

Dennis froze for a moment, then forced a smile, responding, “Glad you all like them.”

“Those are mine.”

The moment I spoke, the entire office fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on me.

Dennis’s face instantly darkened, a hint of panic in his eyes.

“Chloe, this is the company, not a place for your tantrums.”

“I’m not throwing a tantrum.” I met his gaze. “The donuts are my treat. I’m getting married next Saturday.”

His face went dark, as if ink was dripping from it. He strode over to me, grinding out in a low voice:

“Do you have to push my buttons like this?”

Someone nearby snickered:

“Chloe, we’ve never even seen you with a boyfriend. Who are you marrying? You’re not going crazy with jealousy because Anna married Mr. Dennis, are you?”

Anna’s eyes instantly reddened. She bit her lip and chimed in.

“Ms. Chloe, I know you used to like Mr. Dennis, but he’s just not interested in you.”

“When rumors about you two started, Mr. Dennis privately clarified to us that you were just ordinary colleagues.”

At her words, the way everyone looked at me changed instantly, like I was a failed gold-digger now lashing out in anger.

I looked at Dennis.

He turned his head away, his gaze fixed on the window, not even offering a single word in my defense.

Eight years of a secret relationship.

How many times had I endured client dinners for him, secured how many vital deals, how many times had he played dumb when people gossiped about me throwing myself at him?

Now, he wouldn’t even grant me this small bit of dignity.

Someone else joined in the taunting: “Ms. Chloe, Mr. Dennis and Anna are married now. If you keep bothering him, you’ll be a mistress. If that gets out, how will our company land any clients?”

“Exactly. Trying to steal a junior colleague’s husband, how pathetic.”

I looked at these colleagues I had personally trained and mentored, and suddenly felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat.

I had originally planned to send them wedding invitations, but now, there was no need.

My hand, hanging at my side, gripped my phone tightly. I swept my gaze over everyone.

“Since that’s the case, I should introduce my fiancé.”

I was about to open my photo album to show the picture of Nelson and me.

Suddenly, my wrist was grabbed. Dennis snatched my phone, his face looking utterly terrible.

“Everyone, get back to work!”

He yelled at everyone, then dragged me by the arm toward his office.

Behind us, I heard voices comforting Anna, and felt the contemptuous stares aimed at me.

Inside the office, he slammed the door shut and irritably tugged at his tie.

“I told you the marriage certificate was just a game! Do you have to make a scene and embarrass everyone?”

“If it was just a game.” I looked up at him, my voice as cold as ice. “Why didn’t you clarify earlier? Why did you let them call me a mistress?”

He choked for a moment, then spoke with a touch of self-righteousness.

“Anna’s thin-skinned; I couldn’t possibly embarrass her in front of everyone, could I?”

So my dignity could be trampled on.

I reached out, pulled my phone from his hand, and turned to walk toward the door.

My hand touched the doorknob, and I paused, not looking back.

“My wedding is next Saturday. You and Anna are welcome to come.”