Chapter 1
2013
The board meeting ended, and I checked my phone. My long–dead college group chat was exploding with notifications–all tagging
- me.
“Thomas, Lary’s getting married today and you’re not coming? Who do you think you are?”
That’s how I learned Lary, our old class president, was getting married. Today. Everyone was there–except me.
“Busy with work,” I replied, a polite excuse for people I barely knew.
“Busy with what? That dead–end job? Lucky if you make two grand a month.”
*Just admit you’re scared of being embarrassed.”
The moment I responded, the attacks poured in.
“Afraid I just want your wedding gift?” Lary tagged me.
Wouldr
“Wouldn’t want your hundred bucks–probably a week’s pay for you.” His sarcasm was thick.
“Besides, the girl you chased and never got? She’s my wife now. No wonder you won’t come.” He added sunglasses emojis.
frowned.
“As I recall, I never chased anyone.”
*Convenient amnesia?” Lary shot back, posting a wedding photo.
“Take a good look.”
My breath caught.
The bride in white was identical to the woman in the engagement photo on my desk.
“Isabella?”
1
I shot upright in my chair.
The woman I got engaged to last month was marrying Lary?
As my mind reeled, the group chat continued its relentless assault.
“Cat got your tongue? Struck dumb? Or are you crying in a corner because you saw your dream girl is now Lary’s wife?”
“Shhh! Don’t expose him! Isabella isn’t just the campus queen anymore, she’s the CEO of Apex Holdings!”
“That’s right! And she gave Lary a downtown penthouse and a Rolls–Royce as a wedding gift.”
I stared, dumbfounded. Just as I was about to type a furious question to Lary, he played the part of the magnanimous hero.
“Thomas, I know you haven’t done well for yourself, but we were classmates. If you show up to my wedding, I could probably convi-
nce my wife to get you a job as a security guard in the parking garage.”
“What do you say? A guard at Apex Holdings has to make at least five grand a month. Way better than your current gig, right?”
“Sure,” I typed
Then I shut off my phone.
Honey, I brought you some restorative ginseng chicken soup.”
2019
2013
Chapter 1
“You’ve been working so much overtime lately. Don’t burn yourself out. Have some soup, it’ll help.”
Isabella placed the porcelain tureen on my desk. She noticed my cold stare and looked puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
My face was a mask. I glanced at the soup, then shook my head. “It’s nothing. You can go. I have some things to handle.”
“Alright, but make sure you rest. Don’t push yourself too hard.” She walked over, leaned in, and brushed a light kiss against my che- ek. “Oh, by the way, honey, I need to visit family out of town for a few days. Just some family matters to take care of.”
With a brilliant smile, she left my office, pulling the door closed behind her.
“CEO of Apex Holdings, huh?”
I watched the door shut, my mind sinking into a deep, cold place.
I’d known Isabella for three years. We’d made it official a year ago, and gotten engaged just last month.
Over the past year, she had cared for me with a devotion that felt absolute. Hot towels and massages when I worked late. My suit-
case perfectly packed for business trips. The memories were a collection of exquisitely tender moments.
