CHAPTER 6
Hearing Griffin’s “Yes” to his friend’s question made me laugh bitterly.
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It all made sense now. Each time I’d reached my breaking point with him, Griffin would find some way to pacify me–sometimes with gifts, other times with sweet words and promises.
After he’d calmed me down, he’d immediately revert to his cold, indifferent attitude. I’d been completely fooled, believing he wasn’t fully accepting me because I wasn’t good enough. Now I understood the truth—he never intended to commit. He just wanted to keep me hanging on indefinitely, like a trained dog returning to an abusive master.
Thank God I was marrying someone else.
With the storage room key in hand, I headed downstairs and climbed into a taxi. As we prepared to drive away, I spotted another familiar figure across the street— Chloe.
From inside the cab, I watched her make a call. Within a minute, Griffin himself rushed down to meet her, wrapping his arms around her with unexpected tenderness.
“What are you doing out here in this cold?” he asked, genuine concern in his voice. “I missed you,” Chloe pouted. “Is that so wrong?”
“Of course not,” Griffin murmured, pulling her closer. “Of course not.”
He guided her toward the entrance with his arm protectively around her shoulders. After a few steps, Chloe’s shoelace came undone.
Without hesitation, Griffin dropped to one knee to tie it for her, his eyes filled with unmistakable adoration.
My throat tightened. Throughout our years together, these kinds of humble, caring gestures had always been my responsibility. I’d never seen the normally arrogant Griffin kneel for anyone.
One of Griffin’s friends who’d stepped outside to smoke saw this too and nearly choked. “Holy shit! Who would’ve thought the mighty CEO of Hayes Enterprises would be down on his knees tying someone’s shoes?”
Griffin shot him a dark look, immediately barking orders: “Put that cigarette out. Chloe can’t stand the smell.”
“And watch your language around her. Scare her and you’ll answer to me.” His friend quickly retreated, obviously intimidated.
From my taxi, I watched Griffin fiercely protecting Chloe, the contrast with how he
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treated me becoming painfully clear.
For years, his friends had mocked me to my face while Griffin stood by, completely unmoved, as if I weren’t even there.
Yet with Chloe, one cigarette and a curse word were enough to trigger his
protective instincts, making him look ready to tear his friend apart.
So that’s how it was.
What else did I need to understand?
I got home around 2 AM, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Griffin didn’t return until the next morning.
He seemed surprised by how empty the apartment looked, with many of my belongings missing.
“Where’s all your stuff?” he demanded.
а
I made up an excuse on the spot. “Most of it was old. I threw it away.” While there was nothing wrong with my answer, Griffin still seemed suspicious. But he had more important things on his mind. He was about to marry Chloe, and having me living here was indeed inappropriate.
If Chloe found out, she’d undoubtedly cry. She was much more fragile than I was. After thinking for a moment, Griffin said coolly, “Since you’re cleaning up, you might as well do a thorough job.”
I nodded, not wanting to say more.
Griffin noticed my silence but held back whatever he’d been about to say.
It didn’t matter if I’d changed. Someone who’d loved him for twelve years could
easily be won back with a bit of sweet talk.
At worst, he could make more empty promises, like those during his early startup days.
Of all the women in his life, none were easier to placate than me…
Shifting his focus, Griffin barked another order: “I drank too much last night. Make me some hangover soup.”
“I’m heading out. Make it yourself if you want it,” I replied, turning to leave.
Before I could take a step, he grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?”
“Does it matter?” I countered.
“If you won’t make me soup, have you at least finished the proposal I asked you to work on?” he pressed.
“No,” I answered directly, yanking my arm free and walking out.
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Griffin stood frozen in place, his face darkening. I could feel his bewilderment—I was behaving so strangely lately. Didn’t I fear he might actually get angry enough to leave me?
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