The Billionaire I insulted Became My Boss

"Sometimes the person who promises to love you forever is the same person who teaches you that forever can end in a single heartbeat." The last thing I expected on our fifth anniversary was to become a stranger in the life I'd spent years building. If someone had told me that morning that my world would fall apart before sunset, I would've laughed in their face. Ryan Collins wasn't just my boyfriend. He was my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the man I'd imagined growing old with. Or so I believed. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled my apartment as I hummed softly to the playlist Ryan had made for me on our first anniversary. I had listened to those songs so many times that I could predict every beat before it came, yet they still managed to bring a smile to my face. I glanced at the calendar pinned beside my refrigerator. October 18th. Five years. Five beautiful years. I smiled to myself as I reached for the small navy-blue gift box resting on the kitchen counter. Inside was a silver Tag Heuer watch Ryan had admired weeks ago while we were window-shopping on Fifth Avenue. "One day," he'd said, laughing as he admired it through the glass display. "When I'm making CEO money, I'll buy one just like this." He had no idea I'd gone back the next afternoon and bought it for him. It wasn't cheap. In fact, it had emptied most of my savings. But Ryan deserved it. Didn't he? I carefully wrapped the box with a black ribbon before placing it inside a designer gift bag. Beside it lay a bouquet of white lilies—my favorite flowers, but tonight they were for him. Ryan always teased me about buying flowers for a man. "Shouldn't I be the one bringing you flowers?" he'd ask. "Why should women have all the fun?" I'd reply. That usually earned me one of his warm, boyish smiles. God... I loved that smile. My phone buzzed on the counter. Ryan ❤️ A grin spread across my face before I answered. "Happy anniversary." His voice was warm, familiar, comforting. "Happy anniversary," I said, unable to hide my excitement. "I wish I could spend the whole day with you." "So do I." He sighed. "But work has been crazy." I heard keyboards clicking in the background. Or at least I thought I did. "My manager scheduled a last-minute meeting." "I figured." "You sound disappointed." "I'm not." It was a lie. I'd imagined breakfast together. Lunch. Maybe dinner somewhere overlooking the city. Instead, both of us were working. Adult life had a way of stealing moments that mattered. "I'll make it up to you tonight," he promised. "I already have something planned." "You do?" "Mhmm." "I can't wait." His voice carried genuine excitement. "I'll probably get home around eight." Perfect. That meant I still had time. "I'll see you tonight." "I love you, Lee." Lee. The nickname he'd given me in college. It still made my heart flutter. "I love you too." The call ended. I stared at my reflection in the dark phone screen. Twenty-eight years old. A stable career. A loving boyfriend. And hopefully... A fiancé before the year ended. Ryan had been dropping hints for months. Whenever we'd walk past jewelry stores, he'd jokingly ask what kind of ring I liked. Whenever our friends announced engagements, he'd smile and say, "Don't get impatient." I wasn't impatient. I was happy. Because I couldn't imagine spending forever with anyone else. --- By six in the evening, Manhattan had transformed into a sea of lights. I stood outside Ryan's apartment building, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my burgundy dress. The cool autumn breeze brushed against my face, carrying the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby street vendor. "You've got this," I whispered to myself. Ryan had texted an hour earlier. > Ryan ❤️: Running late, babe. Don't wait up. I smiled. Poor thing. He had no idea I was about to ignore his instructions completely. That was the whole point of a surprise. I hugged the bouquet against my chest and stepped into the lobby. "Evening, Miss Rashford," the concierge greeted with a friendly smile. "Good evening." "Mr. Collins is expecting you?" "No." I lowered my voice conspiratorially. "I'm surprising him." The older man chuckled. "I'm sure he'll love that." "So do I." The elevator ride to the twelfth floor felt longer than usual. I kept imagining Ryan's face when he opened the door. Shock. Laughter. Then a kiss. Maybe we'd order takeout. Maybe we'd dance in the living room like we always did whenever our favorite song came on. Simple moments had always been our favorite. The elevator doors opened. I walked toward apartment 12B. Each step filled me with excitement. When I reached the door, I paused. I could hear music. Soft jazz. Ryan only played jazz when he was trying to create a romantic atmosphere. My heart skipped happily. Maybe... Maybe he had planned a surprise too. I pressed the doorbell. No answer. I waited. Still nothing. I frowned. "Ryan?" Silence. I knocked lightly. Nothing. A laugh drifted through the apartment. A woman's laugh. My smile froze. No. I stared at the door. Maybe the television was on. Maybe someone was visiting. Maybe— Then I heard Ryan laugh. Soft. Relaxed. Intimate. Every instinct in my body screamed that something was wrong. Slowly, almost mechanically, I reached into my purse and pulled out the spare key he'd given me two years earlier. "This is your home too," he'd said. My fingers trembled as I slid the key into the lock. The door clicked open. I stepped inside. The apartment smelled of vanilla candles. Wine. And a floral perfume that wasn't mine. "Ryan?" No answer. Only another laugh. Closer this time. Coming from the bedroom. I set the gift bag down without realizing it. The bouquet slipped from my fingers and landed softly on the floor. My feet moved before my mind could stop them. One step. Then another. My pulse thundered in my ears. The bedroom door wasn't completely closed. It was slightly open. Just enough. I pushed it wider. And my world ended.