He Gave My Promotion To Her I Left

Chapter 2

Back at our marital home, I soaked in the bathtub and scrubbed myself three whole times before the reek of stale smoke finally faded a little.

I changed into a clean set of clothes, walked over to the wardrobe in the master bedroom, and opened the safe built into the bottom of it.

I took out my passport and visa documents one by one, and put them into my shoulder bag.

Last of all, I carefully lifted out a worn velvet box and set it on the coffee table in the living room.

With all that done, I collapsed onto the sofa and looked around at the place I had once called home.

We bought this apartment 2 years ago, right after we had saved up enough for the down payment.

To save tens of thousands of design fees, I drew the blueprints myself, pulled all-nighters for 2 whole weeks.

Every floor tile here, every chandelier, was something I haggled for relentlessly until I got a good price.

The day we moved in, there wasn't even a bed in the place.

We slept on a mat on the floor. Cameron held me tight, and kissed my forehead by the light of the moon coming through the window.

"Sophie, this will be our safe haven from now on. No one but you has the right to live in this master bedroom."

Looking at the neatly hung men's suits in the wardrobe, I froze mid-motion. That tiny, faint spark of hope in my heart flickered softly again.

Maybe, when he comes back tonight and sees me packing, he'll wrap his arms around me from behind and apologize, just like he used to when we fought.

As long as he's willing to humble himself, as long as he still remembers that promise he made back when we slept on the floor...

"Beep—"

The beep of the keypad unlocking cut off my ridiculous fantasy.

Cameron pushed the door and walked in.

Following behind him was Tina, carrying bags of all sizes.

She casually slipped on a brand-new pair of pink slippers with rabbit ears.

They were the pair I had bought just the day before, and hadn't even had the heart to wear yet.

She looked around the living room, her eyes full of disdain.

"The decor of this house is so cheap and tacky."

Cameron glanced around as well, a flicker of nostalgia crossed his face.

"I like it, actually."

He changed his shoes and walked to the bedroom door, just in time to spot the suitcase at my feet.

His brows furrowed, and his face darkened.

"What are you doing? Trying to threaten me?"

He walked over, kicked my suitcase, and stared at me with a sneer.

"You're always like this. You never say what you mean directly. Who do you think you're putting on this act for?

"Come on, cut the act. You just want me to beg you, don't you?"

He spoke in a sarcastic, exaggerated tone, "Oh please, don't leave.

"Are you happy now? Calm down already."

I said nothing. Once upon a time, that really was how I was.

I loved it when he coaxed me, loved being the one he gave in to.

But ever since Tina showed up, that privilege had vanished.

Cameron said Tina was different from other girls. She said exactly what was on her mind, open and bright and full of life.

A wave of helplessness washed over my entire body.

I was just about to say I didn't want this fake, half-hearted apology, when Cameron wrenched the bedroom door open.

"To make this fair, you'll move out of the master bedroom so Tina can stay here. You sleep in the guest room for the next few days.

"Tina is a light sleeper, and she gets uncomfortable in unfamiliar beds. The guest room faces the street, it's too noisy."

I jerked my head up, unable to believe what I was hearing.

"Cameron, this is our wedding house." My voice was trembling slightly.

"You're letting another woman sleep in our master bedroom?"

Seeing me talk back, Cameron twisted his mouth into a mocking sneer.

"Aren't you already packing your things anyway? Might as well make all that packing worth your while, right?"

He casually fished a palm-sized velvet pouch out of his pocket and tossed it onto the bed like it was trash.

"Come on, it's not that big of a deal.

"This is a brooch I grabbed for you at the mall just now. Consider it compensation."

I glanced down at the pouch that had rolled onto the bedsheet.

The bag gaped open, revealing a crudely made metal brooch stamped with the words VIP GIFT in large letters.

He didn't even bother to put on a pretense.

Tina leaned against the doorframe and spoke in a cloyingly sweet voice.

"Sophie, you're being so petty. Cameron must be exhausted being with you all the time, right?"

I looked over at Cameron.

He stood beside Tina, taking on a protective stance.

"Fine. The master bedroom is hers."

I didn't bother touching that promotional brooch again, bending down to zip up my suitcase.

"No need for the guest room. I'm moving out for good, so I won't be an eyesore for either of you."

Cameron froze for a moment, then curled his lip in a contemptuous smile.

"Suit yourself. You just love throwing tantrums to get attention, don't you? Let's see how long you can keep this tough act up."