Chapter 3

That girl stood at the school gate, smiling boldly, and said to Mason, "If you want to date me, you'll have to get in line."

If she'd known what would happen later, she probably would have slapped herself.

Slapped herself awake. Told herself not to be pathetic.

When I woke up, the other side of the bed was cold.

Oh right, he didn't come home last night.

When I changed clothes, I deliberately picked out a loose hoodie, baggy enough to hide my waistline.

The fact that the baby was gone couldn't be known yet.

Half an hour later, I sat in the reception room of a rival company, with the boss, Nathan, sitting across from me.

"What did you say?" His voice was surprised. "You want to switch companies?"

"Yes."

"Wait..." He leaned forward, looking at me like I was an alien.

"Aren't you Mason's lapdog? The whole industry knows that project at his company would've tanked long ago if you weren't holding it together. You've been devoted to him for eight years, and now you suddenly want to switch companies?"

I lowered my head and took a sip of coffee.

"Not anymore."

Nathan was stunned for two seconds, then leaned back in his chair, his expression becoming subtle.

"Fine, of course I want you. But that bridge project you're handling..."

"I'll finish it first, then come over."

I put down my cup. "Once that project is delivered, I'll leave directly. Transfer me somewhere far away, the farther the better. Anywhere is fine."

"You're...?" He seemed to want to say something but stopped.

I didn't explain, just stood up and extended my hand. "Pleasure working with you."

Nathan shook it, his gaze complicated, but he didn't ask more questions.

When I left the rival company, I went straight back to my own office.

This bridge project—I'd been working on it for four years.

I'd been on it since graduating college, working from a blank slate to today, pulling countless all-nighters, wearing out several pairs of shoes, revising blueprints over a hundred times.

It was almost complete.

Soon I'd be able to see something I'd drawn with my own hands standing in this city.

This was my only light over the past four years, and now my only hope.

The elevator doors opened. I stepped out and immediately sensed something was wrong.

My colleagues' gazes swept over me and quickly looked away. They whispered to each other.

The secretary rushed over, her expression tense. "Vivian, Mr. Sullivan wants to see you."

"Got it."

"Um," she lowered her voice, "Sophia's there too."

I paused, then continued walking forward.

"You're here." Mason turned around. "Sit. I need to tell you something."

I didn't sit. I just stood at the door.

"What is it?"

He glanced at me, seeming slightly displeased that I was standing, but said nothing.

"Hand over your current work and start taking leave tomorrow."

I froze. "What?"

"The bridge project," he paused, "let Sophia take over. She just graduated and needs a major project on her resume. It'll give her credentials for the future."

I didn't speak, just looked at him.

He probably thought I hadn't heard clearly, so he repeated, "Organize the project files, teach Sophia, then go home and rest for a while."

"That's my project."

Mason frowned. "I know, but you haven't been in good shape lately. This is a good opportunity to rest. You can trust Sophia with the project—there won't be any problems."

"That's my project."

I said it again.

Sophia stood up and walked to Mason's side, tugging at his sleeve.

Mason glanced at her, his tone softening a bit. "I know you've put in a lot of work, but Sophia really needs this opportunity. I'll compensate you."

"Compensate me with what?"

I interrupted him.

"Compensate me with one night? Or compensate me with a few bags?"

Mason's expression changed.

"What kind of way is that to talk?"

"I'm speaking the truth."

I finally walked forward two steps and looked into his eyes. "Mason, I've been on this project for four years. Four years. From laying the foundation until now, every single line was drawn by me. And now you want me to hand it over to her so she can enjoy the fruits of my labor?"

Sophia's eyes immediately reddened, and she burrowed into Mason's arms.