When I left work, Adrian was waiting for me at the company entrance.

He was unshaven and looked terrible. His fingers dug into my arm. "Harper, why did you threaten Bella?"

I scoffed. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Harper…" His eyes were tired, stubble covering his jaw, his tie crooked. "Don't be like this."

"Don't be like what?" I sneered. "Adrian, you have the right to chase your muse, and I have the right to live my life. You gave me hope, but the despair that follows is even more heartbreaking. If you don't love me, why force it?"

My words were final, an indictment of seven years of injustice.

For seven years, I treated him like the sun in my universe. Even after Bella came into the picture, I remained dignified and respectful.

When he was sick in the hospital, I stayed up for three straight nights to care for him. The first thing he asked when he woke up was if Bella had come.

Bella did come, with just a bouquet of flowers, and he was moved to tears, holding her hand and refusing to let go.

She saw me, naturally took the apple I had just peeled, and said sweetly, "Wow, Adrian always said you peel apples better than anyone. I'm so lucky to finally taste one. I'm so clumsy, I can't do anything right."

Adrian looked at her with pure adoration and gently patted her head.

He didn't say a single word of thanks to me. Instead, he told Bella, "If you like it, I'll have Harper peel them for you every day."

The jealousy was real. So was the humiliation.

He treated me like a maid he could summon at will.

I never wanted to live like that again.

Adrian froze, his face pale, his eyes dim. He stared at me, his lips moving, but no words came out.

After a few tense minutes, Bella stepped out of the elevator.

"Adrian, you finally came to pick me up," she chirped, her voice high and sweet, as if staking her claim.

She saw me and her face darkened. She leaned limply against Adrian's shoulder, dabbing at her eyes. "Honey, Harper was so mean today. She said the embroidery you gave me was trash… I'm so upset, that was your heart and soul…"

At the mention of the dress, Adrian's head snapped up, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "Harper… I…"

He only ever called me that when he needed a favor or couldn't pay his bills.

I used to feel proud of it. Now it just grated on my ears.

Bella was about to add more fuel to the fire when a red Porsche 911 pulled up to the curb with a low growl.

The passenger window rolled down. Riley, wearing sunglasses, flipped Bella the bird. "Get in! Every second in this shithole is toxic."

I hesitated for a moment before pulling open the door and getting in.

With a roar of the engine, the car sped away.

I glanced in the rearview mirror. Bella was stomping her foot on the ground. And Adrian…

Was he looking at me?

I looked away.

In seven years, if he had been willing to treat me with even a shred of sincerity, it wouldn't have come to this.

He was cruel to me. Why should I show him any mercy?

This time, I wouldn't go soft.