Caleb's brow twitched. He gave a curt nod in agreement.
"Seriously?!"
Sarah leaped to her feet, growing even more frantic, as if she'd just unearthed a shocking secret.
The whole room exploded.
After all, during the seven years I pursued Caleb, everyone thought he hated my guts.
There were even rumors he was physically repulsed by me.
Jessica's ever-present smile was now incredibly stiff.
She hadn't expected me to bring up my history with Caleb, and she certainly hadn't expected Caleb to admit to it.
"So *you're* the famous ex-girlfriend!"
"Well, in that case, I suppose I should thank you. For letting him go, so I could have him."
As Jessica spoke, she brought over a glass of champagne to toast me.
One glass of champagne, one glass of orange juice.
I pushed the champagne away, my expression hardening. "Sorry, I can't drink."
"Why not?"
Jessica was relentless, pushing the glass back toward me. "I remember you used to pull all-nighters just to design the office for Caleb's company."
"Back then, you even taught me how to stay energized before a deadline."
In our senior year, Caleb founded his tech company.
For his sake, I rejected an offer from a top design firm on the East Coast and stayed in Seattle.
It was a fledgling company, struggling just to survive.
His pride wouldn't let him grovel for investments, so I was the one who had to do the begging.
Every design blueprint, every project bid, every dinner party to expand our network—I had fought tooth and nail for them all.
Caleb was undoubtedly grateful to me back then.
That was why he went to the courthouse with me and we secretly registered our marriage.
After seven years of a secret relationship, we began three years of a secret marriage.
Back then, Caleb would brew me coffee to keep me awake and hold me when I was exhausted and overwhelmed, coaxing me to sleep.
Even though we didn't have much money, he would remember every anniversary and buy me expensive gifts.
Except for public acknowledgment, Caleb gave me almost everything.
This was one of the reasons I so willingly endured our relationship.
I always felt that, on some level, he loved me.
Later, the company gradually made a name for itself, and Caleb firmly established his footing with his exceptional talent.
The company also began to expand.
Jessica joined around that time; I hired her myself.
Caleb had said, "I don't like you working such late nights. It's better if you find someone to share the load."
From that point on, I gradually retreated behind the scenes.
Jessica was a fearless newcomer who often took on extra work to prove herself.
I started teaching her how to complete designs efficiently, how to understand client needs, and how to maintain her standards under pressure.
She was talented and learned quickly.
And because she was cheerful, outgoing, and beautiful, she helped the company win several important design projects in a row.
Caleb was openly fond of her.
Besides the bonuses she deserved, Caleb started giving her extra rewards.
Expensive clothes, bags, and jewelry flowed into Jessica's pockets like water.
They started appearing together at the company, acting intimately as if no one else was around.
I threw a fit more than once, but it always ended with Caleb storming off with a grim face.
"Ava, stop being so paranoid."
"Ava, if you keep making a scene, there's no need for us to be together anymore."
That relationship, with me as the sacrifice, nearly cost me everything.
Looking at the glass of golden champagne in front of me, I looked up at Jessica.
"So you don't remember? You of all people should know not to push a woman into something she doesn't want."
With that, I put down my fork and pushed the wine glass aside.
"Caleb, if you can't control your own woman, don't bring her out to embarrass yourself."
Caleb's face darkened instantly.
He pulled Jessica back. "Stop making a scene."
"Sit down and eat. Even if you won't, the baby in your belly needs to."
As his words landed, the exquisite meal on the table suddenly tasted like ash in my mouth.
A wave of nausea churned in my stomach. I shot up from my seat. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
