I Was His Future Wife, But She Was His Perfect Match

Chapter 2

The office erupted into chaos, the noise drilling into my ears and dragging my scattered thoughts back to reality.

A group of employees gathered around the desk, their voices overlapping in excitement and celebration.

"We just secured such a huge deal. How about we throw a celebration party?"

"Absolutely! I'll reserve the private room right now. Mr. Grant, you have to come!"

"Ms. Hayes, you too! You two were the stars of this project!"

I crouched outside the office door, peering through the narrow gap.

York heard their invitations and immediately shook his head.

"I'll pass. I promised Xenia I'd go home and discuss the wedding arrangements with her."

A quiet sense of relief washed over me when I heard him mention our promise. A small warmth spread through my chest, briefly easing the bitterness I had been carrying.

But then Summer stepped closer and slipped her arm around his.

"York, everyone is counting on you. If you leave, the celebration won't feel the same. I want to stay tonight, but I can't manage everything by myself without you. Just stay for a little while, okay?"

Her soft request instantly made him hesitate.

After a moment, York nodded.

"Fine. I'll stay for a bit."

My heart sank.

I took a sharp breath, pushed open the door, and walked into the office.

The moment I entered, mocking looks turned toward me from every direction. Laughter and teasing remarks followed.

"Well, look who finally showed up."

"Xenia, did you rush here to stop Mr. Grant from joining the celebration? You're worrying about the wedding way too much."

"With such a big deal, Mr. Grant's assets will only grow after marriage. No wonder you're here keeping an eye on him."

Every word felt like a blade cutting into me.

I instinctively looked at York, silently hoping he would say something.

But he only kept his eyes on the project documents, flipping through the pages as if he hadn't heard a thing.

He didn't defend me. Not even once.

Summer stood beside him, quietly watching. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

The pain I had suppressed for months finally broke through.

I walked straight toward York.

The entire office fell silent, everyone watching us.

I stared at him, forcing myself to stay calm even as my voice trembled.

"York, you promised me today. So choose. Come home with me and plan our wedding, or stay here with Summer for the celebration."

York looked up, irritation flashing across his face.

His brows tightened as he spoke in a cold tone.

"Xenia, can you stop being so unreasonable? It's just a normal team gathering. You can come along if you want. There's no need to make this into a scene."

That one sentence erased everything.

My embarrassment. My disappointment. The last bit of hope I had been holding onto.

I looked at him, my voice turning calm and distant.

"I'm not going to the party."

Then I ignored the whispers around me, turned around, and walked out of the office.

I drove back to the penthouse alone.

I curled up in the corner of the sofa, my face buried in my knees as tears silently slipped down my cheeks.

I remembered how, at the beginning of our relationship, York would have done anything to keep me from feeling even the slightest bit hurt.

Back in college, I once came down with a sudden fever. He skipped an important class and rushed over with medicine. He stayed by my side through the entire night, comforting me over and over, afraid I would feel even a little uncomfortable.

But after Summer entered our lives, he slowly changed.

When others mocked me right in front of him, his eyes always followed Summer. His attention belonged entirely to her, and he watched as I endured the humiliation alone.

I didn't know how long I had been crying when my phone, sitting on the coffee table, suddenly buzzed.

An email notification appeared on the screen.

I wiped away my tears and opened it.

It was an admission letter from Westbridge Academy of Fine Arts.

Years ago, I had entered a national painting competition. The judges had been impressed by my work and reserved a place for me at the academy. Now, the final deadline had arrived, and this was their last reminder.

I had once put away my brushes for York.

Now, I was going to live for my own passion and my own art.

Without hesitation, I confirmed my enrollment.

For the first time in years, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.

I was done being trapped in the world of finance.

Done being the third person in a relationship that was never truly meant to include me.

Done standing between York and Summer.

From now on, I would live for myself.