Decade-Long Love, One-Day Betrayal

I poured ten years into Gaylen's life.

I personally guided him from a broke student to the CEO of a top corporation.

Nearing New Year's Eve, I discovered I was pregnant.

I carefully wrapped a bouquet of red roses, tucking the positive pregnancy test inside. Tonight, I planned to propose to him.

I never imagined I'd witness his betrayal with my own eyes.

The girl huddled in Gaylen's arms, sobbing plaintively.

"I don't want to sneak around with you anymore. I want to be your wife. That old woman doesn't deserve you."

Gaylen playfully tapped Chloe's nose, his gaze full of doting affection.

"Yes, my future Mrs. Gaylen."

The roses slipped from my hand, falling to the ground.

Gaylen turned, seeing me through a blur of tears.

I covered my face and spun away, tears streaming between my fingers.

Back at the apartment, my stomach churned, and I wretched miserably over the trash can.

A cold dread spread through my limbs as a pair of black leather shoes entered my vision.

Gaylen gently patted my back, instinctively reaching for the antacids.

"Stomach bothering you again?"

The meticulously prepared candlelight dinner I'd set on the table now sat cold.

I pulled away from Gaylen's touch and headed for the bathroom.

The tiled walls were covered with silly big-headed photos, snapshots of Gaylen's and my ten years together.

He, boyish and naive, slowly matured.

I, already mature, slowly grew weary.

I turned on the faucet, letting the rushing water mask my fragile sobs.

After a long while, I composed myself.

Gaylen was busy in the kitchen, and a comforting aroma of home-cooked food filled the apartment.

When adults cheat, theres often an unspoken understanding. No need for screaming and shouting.

A steaming bowl of mushroom soup was placed in front of me.

There was no guilt in Gaylen's eyes, only the calm composure of a powerful man.

The air hung heavy with unspoken words.

I instinctively recoiled, moving to retreat to my room.

Gaylen was quicker, catching my hand and sighing with feigned resignation.

"She's so innocent and sweet, just like how you used to feel about me."

"I promise I'm just playing around with her."

"I'll never forget the help and kindness you've given me."

Ultimately, the Gaylen who'd tearfully promised to love me forever in the dead of night was long gone.

The unspoken cold war between us dragged on for days.

During this time, the doctor called to tell me that my body was weak, and I might not be able to handle the rigors of pregnancy.

But when he was younger, Gaylen had always wanted me to have his child.

This baby, I thought, could have been the turning point for our relationship.

Restless and upset, I decided to visit the office to inspect some work.

And, if possible, find a chance to talk to Gaylen.

The moment I stepped into the office, the bustling, chattering employees instantly fell silent.

Chloe, the junior assistant, was handing out coffees. She smirked at me.

"Rhiannon, would you like a cup?"

The coffee sleeve, emblazoned with a photo of Gaylen and me standing side-by-side, was a jarring sight.

My nails dug into my palms, but I smiled sweetly.

"Sure."

She held up the last cup, frowning in feigned difficulty.

"But Rhiannon, at your age, you probably don't need to stay up late, do you? Why don't we leave the coffee for the younger staff who actually need it."

Suppressed snickers rippled through the office.

Before I could react, Gaylen appeared, his voice sharp and cold.

"Chloe, stop messing around."

It was a reprimand, sure, but I didn't miss the soft, doting look in Gaylen's eyes.

Pouting, Chloe defiantly stuck out her tongue and ducked behind Gaylen.

Gaylen strode towards me, taking the bag from my hand.

"What brings you to the office today?"

I casually picked up a coffee from the table, swirling it, feigning indifference.

"Just came to let you know that Chloe is fired."

A furious shriek echoed from behind me.

The glass shattered inches from my feet, a shard slicing my ankle.

The sharp sting spread, and I bit the inside of my cheek, then dialed my private lawyer.

"Someone just threatened my safety. Come deal with it."

I leaned against my car, annoyed, and reached for a cigarette.

But the thought of the baby in my belly made me stop.

Gaylen rushed over, his grip tightening painfully on my wrist.

"Chloe needs this job to support her sick grandmother. She can't lose it."

"She's suffered enough."

Suffered enough?

I flung Gaylen's hand away, my composure snapping, and days of pent-up resentment exploded.

"Just because she's 'suffered enough' means she gets to steal my boyfriend? Just because she's 'suffered enough' means she can strut around, flaunting it in my face?"

I hiked up my skirt, revealing my bleeding ankle, and let out a choked laugh.

"Or is it just *her* 'suffering' that tugs at your heart?"

My hoarse shouts echoed in the empty parking garage.

Gaylen massaged his throbbing temples.

"If you won't let her go, I'll have to protect her my own way."

He turned and walked away without a backward glance.

His broad back disappeared from sight. All my defenses crumbled, and I hugged my arms, sinking to the ground.

Gaylen had been "suffering" back then, too. I'd taken him in.

He had an easy job, and after work, he'd do the laundry, cook, and take care of my daily needs.

He'd worry when my eyes were red from overtime, and when my stomach bled from drinking with clients.

He'd worry that I had no one else to rely on, and that I wouldn't dare take a sick day, terrified of missing a promotion.

Maybe Gaylen had forgotten.

His original ambition to climb the corporate ladder was just to be my rock, to build a safe haven for me.

I pulled open the car door and sped off towards the hospital.

While waiting in the corridor, the couple across from me, after learning they were pregnant, wept with joy.

The man squeezed the woman's hand, tearfully promising to be a good father.

It was a touching, heartwarming scene.

I gently touched my abdomen, my heart wavering slightly.

Was I too headstrong, causing all these arguments with Gaylen?

If he knew we had a baby, would he finally settle down and become a responsible father?

My phone buzzed, shattering all my sweet illusions.

Chloe hadn't been fired.

Gaylen had hired her as his personal assistant, reporting directly to him.

The usually dormant company group chat suddenly burst to life.

"OMG, Chloe is amazing! With Gaylen covering for her, she can basically run wild in this company."

"Gaylen is known for being strictly fair, but he broke all the rules to keep Chloe. What a man!"

"Who knows, maybe Chloe will be our boss one day. Our respected CEO's wife!"

My heart sank deeper into the abyss.

Gaylen, who never participated in company gossip, even showed up, sending out a huge cash prize to celebrate.

My phone vibrated frantically, displaying a familiar number.

I answered.

"Gaylen pulled strings with the CEO, cashing in the favor from his last big project, just to keep Chloe."

"Your dismissal approval has been returned to your inbox."

I responded flatly.

Gaylen had taken on a difficult but high-stakes project last time. I'd pulled all-nighters for half a month, practically gave myself a heart attack.

I'd gone through hell and back to help him nail that tough challenge.

We'd agreed then that we'd use that success to get a week's vacation and fly to Bali to relax.

All my hard work, my very blood and sweat, just a stepping stone for him.

Tears streamed down my face. I didn't hesitate anymore; I walked into the operating room.

I also applied for a transfer to the headquarters in the States.

When I pushed open the door to our apartment, an unfamiliar perfume filled the air.

Chloe lay on the leather couch, wearing the expensive face mask Gaylen had given *me*.

Seeing me, she arrogantly lifted her head, flashing the pigeon-egg diamond ring on her ring finger.

"Gaylen gave me this. Pretty, right?"

"He also said that once he's firmly seated as CEO, he'll kick you to the curb and marry me, you know."

A dull ache throbbed in my lower abdomen, and a warm liquid trickled down my legs.

The bathroom door opened, steam swirling out.

Gaylen emerged shirtless, several crimson scratch marks across his chest.

In the trash can, there were used condoms.

Everything screamed that Gaylen had been loving another woman in *our* home.

The blood under me plopped onto the floor.

Chloe clutched her nose in disgust, scrambling to Gaylen's side.

"Gaylen, do older women just get dirty now?"

"The air is full of blood; it's making me sick."

She faked a gag.

Gaylen, however, merely frowned deeply and made a quick phone call.

The cleaner arrived promptly.

She cleaned every nook and cranny of the apartment.

But the blood between my legs just kept flowing.

Gaylen used to be so incredibly attentive; he knew my cycle dates without fail.

When I was younger, I didn't take care of myself, which led to irregular periods.

Gaylen had insisted on me taking supplements for two years, and he'd practically memorized my monthly cycle.

He would have just needed to glance at the period tracking chart on the fridge.

He would have known something was wrong.

The cleaner, looking at the blood beneath me, worriedly advised,

"Miss, are you feeling unwell?"

Gaylen glanced at me, his lips parting.

But before he could speak, Chloe sagged weakly into his arms.

"Gaylen, you were so rough just now."

"My back hurts, and I can't stand straight. Carry me to the bedroom, please."

Gaylen pulled his gaze away, and as he brushed past me, he muttered an annoyed reminder.

"Older people should definitely pay more attention to personal hygiene."

"You should probably stay somewhere else tonight."

He handed me a hotel keycard.

I suddenly remembered the first time I met Gaylen; he was huddled under a freeway overpass.

His shirt was drenched, caked in mud.

I handed him a keycard, just like this, for a suite at the hotel I frequented, telling him to go take a hot shower.

The fragile, helpless boy I had nurtured and guided had slowly grown into someone capable of standing on his own.

Even, someone who was now my equal.

My hands and feet were icy cold. I took the keycard Gaylen handed me.

He looked surprised.

"You're actually agreeing to move out?"

I gave Gaylen a heartbreaking look, but said nothing.

I just numbly packed my bags and slammed the door shut.

My chest ached with a dense, suffocating pain. I sat in my car, finally unable to control my emotions, and burst into uncontrollable sobs.

The next day at the office, everyone's eyes held a mocking glint.

In the breakroom, Chloe was the center of attention, surrounded by younger girls like she was royalty.

"Chloe, did Gaylen pursue you?"

"When you become the CEO's wife, please don't forget to promote us!"

Chloe shot a triumphant glance at me, standing outside the door, preening like a peacock.

"Of course Gaylen pursued me! After all, I'm young and pretty, unlike some people who are old and unwanted."

"And shamelessly chase after someone else's boyfriend."