Chapter 1
To be with Vincent Dallman, Eline Cazemier pretended to be a tomboy
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n Vincent
When
him.
When
kipped school by climbing over the walls, she went with
Wincent hit the bars and drank, she followed.
Vincent said her long hair drew too much attention, she cut off the
hair she’d cared for all these years without hesitation.
When Vincent was forced into marriage by his family and couldn’t take it anymore, he turned to her.
“If I have to marry someone, I’d rather marry you. So, will you?”
She didn’t think twice and nodded.
Everyone around them said Eline played the “bro” role perfectly.
And she really did.
By day, she was Vincent’s best buddy.
By night, she gave in to his every whim and desire.
Their moans filled the nights, box after box of condoms used up.
Then came Chelsea Oliver, the “dumb secretary” at Vincent’s company.
She couldn’t do anything right, constantly screwing up his plans.
But the hot–tempered Vincent never got mad at her.
Every night when he came home, he talked endlessly about this “dumb secretary.”
Vincent went on a business trip and assigned Chelsea to Eline’s project
team.
But on the day of the handover ceremony, 999 private photos of Eline suddenly popped up on the big screen.
Her mind went blank. Her hands became as cold as ice.
Only Vincent could’ve had those photos…
The audience erupted.
Chelsea ran to the stage in tears, apologized, and yanked out the flash drive.
If not for the fact that every photo was crystal clear with Eline’s face in full view, people might’ve mistaken her as the victim.
The blood drained from Eline’s body. She trembled uncontrollably.
Strange stares pierced her from every direction, exposing her to a crowd like she was naked under the blazing sun.
The partners stood up and left. Their mocking words felt like dozens of slaps across her face.
Yet all she could do was swallow the humiliation, bow deeply, and say, “I’m sorry.”
Again. And again.
She numbly waited for Vincent to come back and give her an explanation.
But the first thing he said was…
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“Don’t scare Chelsea. She’s just a girl; she can’t handle being yelled at.”
Suddenly, Eline felt exhausted. Chasing someone with all your strength…
It was just so tiring.
“Eline, do you have anything to say?”
Vincent’s cold eyes looked her way from across the room.
Yet, she didn’t even blink.
Her stomach was empty, filled only with endless grief, anger, and helplessness.
What was there to say?
What could she even say?
The moment Vincent returned, he dumped all the blame on her.
To help Chelsea, he kept reminding everyone that Eline was the woman in the photos.
Seeing her silent, Vincent lowered his eyes and looked away.
“Starting today, Chelsea will be the director of Group A.”
The members of Group A in the room gasped.
Someone wanted to speak up for Eline, but their colleague quickly pulled them back and shook their head,
Qnce everything was settled, Vincent left with Chelsea.
ww
Everyone in the meeting room instantly lost their composure.
“Why did you stop me? Chelsea’s barely been here and has already caused
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so much trouble. Now Ms. Cazemier has to take the blame for her–how
is that fair?”
The colleague shot Eline a sympathetic glance and whispered, “Because of favoritism.”
“Come on. Let’s go. Things will only get worse.”
Soon, Eline was the only one left in the room.
She sat there for a long, long time.
So long that the entire building was empty except for her and the security guard.
Clutching her aching stomach, she drove home.
But the moment she opened the door, she saw them laughing together at the dining table.
Chelsea was wearing the matching slippers she and Vincent used to wear.
The shirt on her was the one Eline recently bought for Vincent–he’d only worn it twice.
Now, it had a new owner.
Seeing her, Chelsea quickly pulled her hand back, like a frightened
rabbit.
Vincent chuckled and pinched her cheek.
“What are you so scared of? Eline is not a predator. She’s my buddy!”
As if nothing had happened earlier that day.
Eline felt a sharp sting in her chest. Her face turned pale and sickly.
Chapter 1
She stood frozen at the door.
Chelsea flustered, stood up to apologize.
“Sorry, Ms. Cazemier. I forgot I was wearing your slippers. I’ll take them off right now!” She bent down, ready to remove them.
But Vincent pulled her up.
“Eat first. You’ve been scared enough today. There are disposable slippers inside. She knows.”
Yes, she knew.
She silently set down her bag and walked barefoot to her room.
Eline had been pursuing Vincent for 24 years, which was also 8,766 days…
She once thought she would never give up on loving him.
But hearts get tired too.
Eline opened the drawer and pulled out the divorce papers buried at the
bottom.
This time, she didn’t hesitate. She signed it.
