Shattered Glass and Fresh Starts Chapter 2

Yet until the moment I got into a taxi to a hotel, I didn't see him chase after me.

I stood on the balcony of the penthouse suite, smoking one cigarette after another.

The phone on the table next to me rang non-stop. It was Blake, but I didn't want to answer.

Until the last cigarette burned out, the ringing continued.

I picked up the phone and texted him the hotel address and room number. The world went silent.

As I waited, I decided to be merciful just once.

To be fair, Blake had been amazing to me.

Four years of college, three years of grad school, and now three years of work.

For ten years, outside of my parents, he was the person who had been the most accommodating to my temper. He had taken care of every detail, covered every angle, been everything to me.

I loved him, and I relied on him.

If he confessed, told me he had a change of heart, I would accept defeat.

Soon, there was a knock on the hotel door.

I opened it and saw Blake, completely out of breath. The sweat had soaked the hair on his forehead; he looked like he had just been pulled out of a lake.

"I’m just glad you’re okay."

I lowered my eyes and let him in. I couldn't not have a soft spot for him.

He didn't even bother taking care of himself before he started organizing the room for me, exactly as he always had.

I was waiting. Waiting for him to open his mouth first.

At 3:00 AM, Blake handed me a cup of warm milk and finally spoke.

"Audrey, don’t overthink this."

"The reason I’m good to Chloe is that I feel bad for what she’s been through. She comes from a very poor background, she’s suffered so much..."

I felt confused for a split second. I didn't think that after all this waiting, after all this build-up, Blake would still be talking about Chloe Bennett.

He even wanted me to empathize with Chloe's suffering, to make me feel guilty for my behavior today.

"Chloe’s life hasn't been as smooth as yours. She’s very sensitive. You shouldn't have gotten angry at her."

The milk went cold, and my patience finally ran out.

"Is that what you came here to say?"

Blake paused, remembered something, and his gaze shifted away.

"There are some issues with the production line. The plant manager told me I need to stay for another week..."

Hearing this, I only found it hilarious. The plant manager had just texted me during dinner to congratulations on Blake finishing his assignment, wishing us a safe trip back and telling us it was great to see our relationship finally entering its next chapter.

I curved my lips. Fine. I’ll stay with you.

Blake hadn't expected me to stay, and he failed to give an immediate reaction.

"What? Are you unhappy about that?"

Blake shook his head frantically. "No, I’m happy."

I nodded. "Good. Glad to hear it."

The next morning, I personally dropped Blake off at the factory gates and watched him walk inside.

Then, I told the driver to drive to the apartment I had left last night.

When the door opened, Chloe was still there. As if nothing had happened yesterday, I asked casually, "Oh, you're here, Chloe. Don't you have to work today?"

"Blake said he had some things here, and I came to help him pack them up."

As she spoke, I pulled a large suitcase out from behind me. Chloe Bennett went completely pale, staring at it blankly.

But I acted as if I hadn't noticed and continued talking: "By the way, when Blake and I get married, you absolute must come."

Chloe Bennett ran out of the apartment, looking like she had seen a ghost.

I put away my fake, sugary smile, took out my phone, and opened the spyware I had installed last night.

While Blake was fast asleep, I had put something on his phone.

Soon, the voices of the two came over the speaker. Blake was anxiously asking what happened.

The only response was Chloe’s sobbing: "Go back and marry Audrey Sterling. We’re over."

Blake was silent. Chloe’s voice was muffled. I could even imagine him pulling her into his arms, pressing her face against his chest.

Finally, Blake’s voice came again.

It was gravelly, with an edge of tears. "In a few years, I’ll transfer you to corporate headquarters."

"You’ll have an enviable job, a comfortable life. I’ll watch you get married, have a beautiful child, and live a happy life..."

Chloe was crying uncontrollably.

"I only want you!"

My face had turned completely cold.

I cannot accept deceit, and I certainly cannot accept being played.

I vividly remembered the afternoon my father agreed to accept Blake.

The crushing boulder that had been on my chest for years finally fell. I had thrown myself into Blake's arms, crying.

Three years. Just three years. That was my father's condition for Blake, and my test.

I knew three years would be hard, so I worked tirelessly to prove myself, to meet my father's expectations, and to keep pace with Blake.

To see Blake for just one extra hour, I could go three days without sleep, pushing myself to create a proposal that would satisfy my father.

And listening to the recording... Blake Vance was mapping out an entire future for Chloe Bennett.

Her job, her life, her relationship... they were pouring their hearts out to each other with profound devotion.

If I hadn't shown up that night, if I hadn't known any of this...

Then every future day of my life, I would have been living in this fake, disgusting "happiness."

I pulled out my phone and dialed my older brother in New York. The call was quickly answered by a cheerful voice.

"Hey, little sis! Did you pick up your boyfriend?"

"Mom and Dad have already arranged the welcome dinner..."

The second I opened my mouth, I was horrified to find I was sobbing. "Caleb, Blake’s cheating on me."

I raised my hand and touched my face; it was covered in icy tears. My voice finally calmed down.

"Make it happen. I want to ruin them both."

I have never been a patient, forgiving saint. Blake thought he could use me as a ladder.

Ruin my life, gain status, and keep his mistress. Keep dreaming.

After hanging up, I took a tissue and wiped away my tears.

A gaping hole had been ripped in my chest, and a freezing cold wind was howling through it. Like a knife twisting, it was both cold and painful.

To say I wasn't heartbroken would be a lie. They always said Blake was devoted to me, but wasn't I devoted to him as well?

I scanned the apartment. It was vastly different from the place I had seen three years ago.

During Blake’s first month here, he casually remarked that he couldn't sleep well in the factory dorms. I had immediately bought this apartment.

Worried that he would refuse it out of pride, and afraid of giving him financial pressure, I had found a reliable real estate agent to rent the apartment to him at well below market value.

Over the past three years, I had only come here a handful of times during the first year.

After that, I was busy, and Blake said he was busy. Every time I came to see him, we only had a quick meeting outside the factory.

So I had no way of noticing his change of heart.

But at this point, I didn't want to obsess over when the rot had started.

While Blake and Chloe were out in the afternoon, I had surveillance cameras installed in every room. After confirming the connection was perfect, I went back to the hotel.