Chapter 2

Dragging my injured leg, I slipped through the crowd and hid in a narrow alley.

"I wasn't feeling well," I said over the phone, trying to keep my voice steady. "I noticed you weren't around, and I couldn't find the door… I accidentally fell off the balcony."

"You can't see—why would you wander around? Stay where you are. I'm coming to get you," Shane's voice replied, laced with impatience.

The memory of those men's disgusting laughter flashed through my mind, sending shivers down my spine.

"It's fine. Someone already took me to the hospital. I'm okay now," I lied, cutting the call before he could respond.

Just then, a voice message popped up on my phone—it was my professor, her tone filled with excitement.

"Good girl! You finally made up your mind. I'll handle the application paperwork immediately. We leave in seven days!"

She paused, then sighed.

"The Anderson family's wealth and influence must have caused you so much pain before your surgery. You've been through a lot, haven't you?"

Her unexpected concern undid me. Every emotion I had been suppressing came flooding out.

I had once dreamed of standing proudly beside Shane Anderson. I worked hard, earned a scholarship, and even secured an opportunity to study abroad. But Shane rejected it on my behalf, claiming it wasn't safe for a blind woman to live overseas alone. Instead, he found me a job as a massage therapist in Bayview, insisting I didn't need to work so hard.

"Focus on being my future wife," he'd said with a smile.

Little did I know, it was all just a game to keep me entertained while he waited for Tessa Brown.

Thankfully, my professor never gave up on me.

When I got home that night, I saw Tessa's latest post on social media.

The photo showed her holding an employee badge from Anderson Enterprises, captioned:

"A million-dollar goal, here I come! @ShaneAnderson."

Shane had replied:

"I'll be waiting for you."

I stared at the screen, the bitterness rising in my chest.

After graduation, I had applied to Anderson Enterprises, but they hired someone far less qualified than me. When I asked Shane about it, he brushed it off, saying he couldn't interfere with "company policies."

Now, it was clear—I simply wasn't worthy enough for him to bend the rules.

I liked Tessa's post sarcastically and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning, I prepared to hand in my resignation at the massage parlor. But as soon as I arrived at the door, Shane was there, blocking my path.

He leaned in close, his breath warm against my neck.

"You ran off so quickly last night. Want to try something fun here today?"

His playful tone made me sick to my stomach.

I couldn't stop the image of the group chat from flashing in my mind.

"Shane, you've tried so many wild places with Leah. Why don't you take Tessa somewhere exciting too?"

"Nah, the outside world is filthy. I wouldn't let Tessa go to places like that."

It all made sense now.

In three years of dating, Shane had never once taken me to his house. I was nothing more than a disposable distraction, while Tessa was the one he truly cherished.

I moved to step around him, but he grabbed my wrist, his voice turning serious.

"You saw Tessa's post, didn't you? Where are your glasses?"

I quickly hid my resignation letter behind my back. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to."

Before I could say more, Tessa appeared from behind him, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

"Sis, why don't you invite me in? Shane came all this way to make sure I apologized to you in person."

Her words reeked of sarcasm, and her posture with Shane was far too intimate.

My voice turned cold. "No need. I don't accept."

Tessa feigned a sigh. "Come on, Leah. I was just doing my job. It wasn't personal. If you drop the complaint, I can get my job back. It'll be better for everyone."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Better for everyone? Who's going to erase the photos of me that are still circulating online? Who's going to give me back my dignity?"

Shane's grip on my wrist tightened.

"You're blind. Just pretend you don't know about it. Leah, since when did you become so heartless?"

Pain shot through my injured ankle, and I lost my balance, collapsing to the ground. My resignation letter slipped from my grasp.

Shane's expression softened for a moment, and he bent down to help me. But Tessa stepped in first, crouching beside me with a smug smile.

"Forget it, Shane. She has every right to be mad at me. I'll come by a few more times to show her how sorry I am. She'll forgive me eventually."

She turned to Shane with a pout.

"By the way, aren't you supposed to take me to the office today? You promised to help with my onboarding paperwork. Don't flake on me."

Before leaving, Tessa stepped on my resignation letter, grinding it under her heel.

They left together, laughing and teasing each other.

Later, Shane sent me a voice message:

"You've always wanted to work at Anderson Enterprises, haven't you? Once your eyes are fully healed, if you drop the complaint against Tessa, I'll personally bring you into the company."

In the background, I could hear Tessa giggling.

I didn't reply.

After handing my resignation letter to the shop owner, she smiled warmly.

"Your eyes are better now? Shane must be thrilled!"

I shook my head. "He doesn't know. Please keep it a secret."