The company grew. Slowly, my reputation and influence there surpassed his.

He didn't like it. He felt I was too dominant, always questioning his decisions.

I wanted to marry him. I wanted a warm, loving family, not endless work arguments.

So, after thinking it through, I left the company.

I truly believed that if I just changed, became the person he wanted, he would marry me.

But I never imagined that in the end, he would change his heart. He fell for a girl who was everything he'd criticized me for being – naive, full of romantic whimsy.

As they were locked in a passionate embrace, did he ever remember the time when I was that girl, naive and full of dreams?

I moved out that very night and went to stay with Chloe.

I didn't have to worry about Ethan's sensitive stomach or what to make him for dinner.

I didn't have to lie in bed, my eyes snapping open at every sound, wondering if he had finally come home.

Chloe and I ordered spicy crawfish, fried chicken, and grilled skewers. We gorged ourselves on a messy, delicious late-night feast before falling asleep.

Since turning twenty, I had never felt so light, so free.

The next morning, Chloe went with me to a clinic. I had a medical procedure.

I'd found out I was expecting two weeks earlier.

But Ethan was always too busy with work. I never even had a chance to tell him I was pregnant.

When I came out after the procedure, Chloe told me, "Ethan's been calling me non-stop since you blocked him. It was driving me crazy."

"So I just told him you were at the clinic," she finished.

The moment she said it, Ethan arrived.

He stared at me, his voice trembling slightly. "The baby?" he asked.

"It's taken care of," I said, my voice flat.

Ethan's eyes instantly turned red. "Ten years together," he choked out. "If I did something wrong, you could have talked to me!"

"Why did you send a breakup text, refuse to take my calls, and... take care of it?"

I gave a bitter laugh. "What was I supposed to do?" I asked. "Keep it? So Ms. Lily Taylor could be the stepmother?"

Ethan flinched, his face paling with panic. "Maya, she's just an intern at my company..."

"What kind of intern," I cut him off softly, "kisses the boss and checks into hotels with him?"

My voice was quiet but steady. "Ethan," I said, "I saw you and her in that club room yesterday."

The color drained completely from Ethan's face. He just kept repeating, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."