He Chose Power Over Me，So I Took Everything From Him

I was so sick of this suffocating life.

Three years ago, after a one-night stand with Alexander Morgan while I was working as a bar waitress, I signed an arrangement agreement to get the money to save my mom.

He said once he got control of the company, he'd make our relationship public. I've been waiting for that day ever since.

Then his first love returned from abroad, and he started staying out all night.

They were even planning their wedding.

I packed my things while thinking about how to escape this situation.

The lock clicked.

He was home.

"Celeste? Come help me with my coat."

That was the first thing he said when he walked in. Not asking how I was doing, not caring why I looked upset—just giving orders.

I mechanically took his coat. He smelled of unfamiliar perfume.

"You've been sulking all week." He loosened his tie. "Still upset about Victoria and me preparing for the wedding? I already explained that."

He was always explaining. Why he had to marry Victoria Sterling. Why we couldn't go public. Why I needed to understand.

But it all required me to sacrifice. He never considered my feelings.

I continued folding clothes, avoiding eye contact.

He walked over, trying to sit beside me. I stepped back, maintaining distance.

"We need to talk—"

"It's just a business marriage. I never loved Victoria." He interrupted, his tone suddenly gentle. "It's to inherit control of the company from my father as quickly as possible. Celeste, I love you."

He reached to touch my face. I pushed his hand away.

That's when I saw it. An engagement ring on his finger. Platinum, catching the light.

I'd once asked him for a ring. He told me rings were constraints.

But here he was, wearing one for her.

Following my gaze, his expression changed. He quickly pulled off the ring and shoved it into his pocket.

"Sorry, I met with her father today and forgot to take it off."

I remembered his promise from two years ago: "Once I get the company, I'll give you official status."

Now that official status belonged to Victoria. The grand wedding was being planned for her too.

I was like a caged canary hiding in this apartment.

I stood up and picked up my mother's pearl necklace.

"Still keeping that old thing?" Alexander asked casually.

"This was my mother's."

"Right, how is your mother lately?" He was already thinking about something else. "When this is all over, we'll take your mother on a European vacation."

How ridiculous. He still hadn't noticed that my mother was dead.

My mother died a week ago. I called him countless times, but he never picked up. He still hasn't bothered to explain.

If he knew I'd handled the entire funeral alone, would he still say that?

His phone rang. The screen showed "V♥".

Alexander gestured for me to be quiet and walked to the balcony.

"Hey babe, did you pick out a dress for the charity gala?"

His voice instantly became tender and caring. I'd never heard him speak to me in that tone.

"Of course, I'm already downstairs at your place."

He hung up and rushed to the closet.

"Victoria needs to attend a charity gala and needs an escort." He changed clothes while talking. "You know how important these social events are for the company's image."

I used to accompany him to all these events as his secretary. Now everything had changed.

He put the engagement ring back on, then asked me to adjust his tie.

"Wait for me to come home." He gave me a perfunctory kiss on the forehead. "I bought you a new necklace. I'll give it to you when I get back."

The door slammed shut.

I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down.

A white Maserati was parked below, with Victoria elegantly leaning against the car door, waiting.

Alexander appeared. He opened the car door for Victoria, gentlemanly helping her in, like real lovers.

I turned around to get my resignation letter, hastily signed it.

It was time to end all of this.