Chapter 2 The Intern
1060 Words
When I finished venting my emotions and came out of the room, Leo was gone, and my son had gone into his own room.
I was alone in the large living room, facing the messy dishes on the dining table.
They didn't leave me any food, just a table full of dirty dishes and utensils for me to clean.
I forced a bitter smile as I looked at my hands. My once fair and delicate hands were now roughened by housework. As I looked at the greasy dishes and leftover food, I suddenly felt nauseous.
I decided to be reckless for once. I left the table as it was, went straight out the door, and slammed it shut.
I wandered aimlessly through the streets, and before I knew it, I had arrived at Zion Group, my former workplace.
Leo and I worked for the same company. At that time, I was a budding jewelry designer, while he was a senior accountant who had been working in the finance department for several years.
As a new employee, I was unfamiliar with the company's operations and processes. He was always there to guide me when I needed help, occasionally sharing company information and insights into the interpersonal network.
I was grateful that Leo showed up just when I needed help. Gradually, I came to regard him as an important friend.
A few months later, he confessed his feelings for me, and we naturally became a couple. Soon, he proposed. Looking at Leo, holding the diamond ring with utmost sincerity, I nodded in agreement.
Leo persuaded me to quit my job and take care of the family after marriage, saying that he wished for a warm and loving home.
My career was flourishing at the time, so I hesitated and didn't agree at first. However, it wasn't long before rumors of plagiarism regarding design drafts surfaced within the company, with the finger pointed directly at me.
I was furious and wanted to confront my superiors, but Leo stopped me. "I'll be responsible for earning money and supporting the family. You just relax at home, enjoy being Mrs. Lin, and don't let such trivial matters bother you. I'll make sure you're the one wearing the jewelry!"
His words moved me to tears, young and impulsive as I was. I submitted my resignation letter.
Leo's words still echoed in my ears, and a bitter smile appeared on my lips.
In all these years of marriage, apart from the engagement and wedding rings, he had never bought me any other piece of jewelry. After my son was born, he used the excuse of high expenses to restrict my spending everywhere. It had been many years since I last bought myself decent jewelry or clothes.
As a woman, it's better to be financially independent and have your own career.
Sighing, I prepared to go home. Maintaining a marriage is not easy. It's fine to vent and clear my mind occasionally, but I still had to face reality and go back to deal with the mess.
However, The sound of a man and a woman laughing behind me stopped me in my tracks. The man's voice was incredibly familiar. It was Leo!
I turned around and saw a young, beautiful girl intimately holding Leo's arm as they emerged from the company gate.
The girl was acting coquettishly towards Leo, who indulgently tucked a strand of her loose hair behind her ear.
They walked towards their car, chatting and laughing, but stopped the moment they saw me.
Leo's expression became awkward, his hand frozen near the girl's ear.
The girl, however, calmly let go of his arm and walked towards me with a smile.
"You must be Aurora, right? Hello, I'm Rose, a new design intern at the company. Mr. Harmon told me about what happened at your house just now. I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. I've always admired your work, so I begged Mr. Harmon to show me your collection of design drafts. I feel terrible for causing an argument and scaring little Linden..."
Rose looked at me apologetically.
Before I could speak, Leo stepped forward and shielded Rose. "How can you blame yourself? It's a good thing that you, as a newcomer to the design department, are eager to learn. Aurora used to be a jewelry designer too, so she understands, right?"
He looked at me directly, his eyes wary, as if afraid that I would lash out and hurt Rose.
"Leo, you're the finance director, you sure have a wide range of control," I said indifferently, watching as both Rose and Leo's expressions changed.
"I hope you were genuinely inspired by my design drafts and not just copying them. Alright, I won't keep you two from your 'overtime' work." I deliberately emphasized the word "overtime." With that, I turned and left.
Rose's eyes welled up with tears as she looked utterly wronged. Leo grabbed my arm and said loudly, "Aurora, what are you talking about? I treated Rose like a junior and was just looking out for her as a newcomer to the workplace. How could you think of our relationship as something so dirty!"
I coldly shook off his hand and laughed mockingly. "Oh, just like how you looked out for me when I first joined the company! Leo, do you really think I'm a fool?"
Unwilling to say another word to him, I hailed a taxi and got in, leaving a sullen-faced Leo standing there. Shortly after the car drove off, I looked back and saw Leo still frantically comforting the crying Rose, who had conveniently nestled into his arms.
That woman even called out my son's name. It seemed Leo had already introduced her to Linden. The "Rosy" that Linden had blurted out during dinner was probably this Rose. My family had long been infiltrated by an outsider, and I was still completely oblivious.
The word "divorce" immediately popped into my mind, but then I thought of Linden, who was still in elementary school, and my heart wavered.
I didn't want my child to grow up in a broken family.
In that case, I would just endure it. From now on, I would treat Leo as if he were invisible and focus on taking care of my son.
I let out a long sigh, my fingernails digging deeply into my palm.
- Writer
