Calling off the Engagement
544 Words
The meeting lasted for four grueling hours. As it concluded, Mark suggested inviting the Anderson Group to lunch, and everyone enthusiastically accepted except Claire and her secretary . Claire quickly gathered her papers, politely declining the offer. She had made plans with her fiancé, Erickson, the day before, and they needed to discuss some important matters. While Anne had a doctor's appointment to honour.
After being dropped off by a taxi at the entrance of Martin Group, Claire looked up at the towering building. The Martins were one of the elite families in the city, managing the second-largest company after the Crowdstar Group.
Claire knew many women coveted her position as Erickson’s fiancée, and some were jealous of her. They whispered that she didn’t deserve such a title because she was the daughter of a mistress.
As she entered the company, the receptionists glared at her with barely concealed hostility. No one liked her, and they all knew that Erickson had little affection for her. They were all aware that she had pursued him relentlessly, practically forcing his family to propose to her.
Claire brushed off the glares, fully aware of their disdain. She made her way straight to Erickson's office, only to find him preparing to leave for lunch with one of his business partners. He had clearly forgotten their plans, which didn’t surprise her at all. That was why she had rushed over from her meeting.
“Why are you here?” he asked, hurriedly slipping on his jacket.
Claire reminded him that they had already made plans and explained the meeting and the conflict with Samantha over the project. His face darkened with anger. “You should have let Samantha handle it! She’s more qualified.”
Without thinking, he turned to leave, intent on finding Samantha to comfort her. But as he reached the door, Claire called out, “Let’s call off the engagement.”
He spun around, his expression a mix of fury and disbelief. “Really? You want to use that to threaten me?” He stepped closer, grabbing her arms firmly. “You know we need to sell the Lakeside street property. We can’t afford any scandals right now. So you want to use the engagement to blackmail me? Why are you so greedy and selfish?”
In that moment, Claire should have felt a wave of pain or heartbreak. Instead, she felt an unexpected calm wash over her. She could see through him and recognized that his loyalty to Samantha wasn’t merely because they grew up together; he genuinely liked her. For so long, she had been too delusional to notice.
“Do you have to take everything from Samantha?” he demanded, anger dripping from his words. “When will you stop being so selfish?”
Claire held his gaze, standing her ground. She wouldn’t back down, not this time.
After their heated argument, Erickson stormed out, seething, ready to find Samantha. Claire took a deep breath, composing herself as she surveyed the office one last time. She knew this would be the last time she would ever set foot in this place.
As she walked out, a sense of calm enveloped her. She pulled out her phone and called Anna to come pick her up.
- Writer
