I gave him 12 years 7

Posted by ADMINAHADMIN, ? Views, Released on May 12, 2025

CHAPTER 7

I went to pick up my wedding dress.

With only days until the wedding, I’d promised my future husband I’d meet him at the courthouse wearing it. How could I show up without one?

At the high–end bridal boutique, I asked the manager to retrieve the gown I’d already reserved. She hesitated, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

“Is something wrong with my dress?” I asked.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Parker, but someone else has claimed your dress.”

“How is that possible? I paid a deposit.”

“They offered a larger deposit, so…” her voice trailed off.

I cut her explanation short. “Who took my dress?”

Before the manager could answer, the boutique door swung open, and a honeyed voice called out: “Is my wedding dress ready? I want to try it on!”

I turned to see none other than Chloe walking in.

Though we weren’t close at work, I knew more about her personal life than she realized.

Her eyes widened with surprise when she spotted me. “Tessa! What a coincidence. Are you shopping for a wedding dress too?”

“I am.”

“You’re getting married?”

“Yes,”

From the beginning, I’d been introduced around Hayes Enterprises as simply Griffin’s assistant. Apart from a few close friends, nobody at the company knew about our personal relationship.

Clearly, Griffin hadn’t told Chloe about us either. After working there for so long, she still saw me as nothing more than his assistant.

“When’s your wedding day?” she probed.

“The seventh,”

Chloe clapped her hands excitedly. “What a coincidence! Mine’s on the seventh too!” Then she asked curiously, “Which dress style did you choose?”

I pointed to a stunning gown displayed in the window–a fitted design with a heart- shaped cutout on the back. “That one.”

“We really are twins! Same wedding day, same dress. Now I’m dying to know who your fiancé is,” Chloe said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

I gave her a tight smile. “Guess you’ll find out.”

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She paused momentarily, seeming to consider something, then quickly changed the subject.

In the end, since I’d reserved the dress first, the manager had no legitimate reason

to give it to Chloe, despite her larger deposit. The deposit was refunded to Chloe, and I successfully secured my gown.

As Chloe stormed out, she fumed, “What a trash boutique! Just wait until my husband puts you out of business!”

With my dress safely boxed and in hand, I returned to the apartment.

Griffin was sitting on the living room couch, clearly waiting for me. He didn’t notice the wedding dress box as he glared at me. “Where have you been all this time?” “I had some things to take care of,” I replied vaguely.

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Griffin didn’t press further about my whereabouts, but his tone was tense with barely contained anger. “The client is demanding the proposal. When are you going to finish it?”

His tone carried accusation and frustration, as if I’d committed some terrible offense.

I didn’t want to argue with him. “I’m on vacation, remember?”

“So what? Does being on vacation mean you can’t work? This proposal is critical to Hayes Enterprises‘ future. Do you have any idea how important it is to me and the company?” He slammed his hand on the table for emphasis.

I stared at the angry Griffin, finding his behavior bizarre.

The proposal was indeed crucial for Hayes and him, but not for me–especially since I was no longer an employee.

Even if I were, surely someone else could handle it?

I continued silently watching his tantrum without responding.

My silence seemed to unnerve him even more than words would have.

Griffin took a deep breath, apparently realizing he’d overreacted.

His tone softened as he approached me, gripping my shoulders. “Tessa, I know you’ve sacrificed a lot being by my side all these years. Once you finish this proposal, I’ll announce your promotion to Vice President of Hayes Enterprises. Apart from me, you’ll have the final say in everything–essentially the company’s First Lady, How does that sound?”