Chapter 57
Chapter 1
After graduation, I hooked up with Jasper Vanderbilt one last time before we broke up.
Afterwards, he casually handed me a cigarette and quipped, “When I get married someday, I’m not picking a
woman who smokes after sex p>
My throat tightened. I asked him why.
He looked at me, cool and detached. “Chloe, I like them innocent p>
I stayed silent for a long time, then cut all ties with him.
Years later, we crossed paths again-he was my new boss.
To avoid the awkwardness, I submitted my resignation right away.
But he cornered me in his office.
“It’s been five years,” he said, his voice low. “One more time p>
I lowered my gaze. “No. I have to pick up my daughter from school p>
The room fell silent.
Jasper froze. When I tried to stand up from his lap, his arms locked around me, holding me in place.
The heat in his eyes faded, and his usual composure cracked slightly.
He gritted his teeth. “How old is she p>
I paused, then answered softly, “Three p>
Three, not four. And we had broken up five years ago.
This child wasn’t his.
Jasper clearly understood that.
I tried to stand again. This time, the arm around my waist let go.
As I reached the door, he spoke again, suspicion lacing his voice.
“Your employee file says you’re single p>
I steadied myself and turned back calmly.
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“I just got married recently p>
“Just married, and your daughter is already three p>
I nodded, keeping my expression even.
“Yes. We had her before tying the knot p>
Jasper didn’t reply. His sharp eyes drifted to the cheap wedding band on my finger, and he let out a
dismissive laugh.
I didn’t feel embarrassed. I held my hand up, almost shoving the ring in his face.
Then, sensing his rising anger, I made a quick escape.
That evening at home, I let out a long sigh of relief.
Sometimes, a lie is the simplest way to avoid trouble.
The ring was a two-dollar trinket I’d bought from a bargain store-cheap, but it did the trick.
I figured it would erase any lingering feelings Jasper might still have for me.
Sure enough, my resignation was approved the next day.
HR personally came to notify me in the afternoon-I only needed one week to hand over my duties.
Normally, resignations require a month’s notice. Mine was shortened to a week.
It was obvious who had arranged it.
I nodded and began training the new intern on my tasks.
The intern, Mia Carter, was sweet and eager.
During our time together, she never let me pay for breakfast or afternoon snacks.
Near the end of the workday, Mia approached me shyly.
“Chloe, would it be okay if I left a bit early? My boyfriend is taking me to dinner p>
I hesitated-not because I minded her leaving, but because I also needed to leave early to pick up my daughter Lily.
Seeing my pause, Mia grew anxious, clasping her hands together and pleading softly, rambling off apologies and thanks.
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I smiled and gave in. “It’s fine, you can go p>
She thanked me excitedly and started packing up. “He’s coming down to meet me soon p>
I raised an eyebrow. “Does he work here too p>
Mia grinned mysteriously. “No, he’s p>
Before she could finish, a deep voice cut in from behind.
“All set p>
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