Zane Vance's childhood crush, the one he'd held in his heart for over a decade, had returned to the country after finishing her studies.

First, he forgot about their appointment to pick out her wedding dress. Then, without a second thought, he gave the Vice President position at his company to that same woman.

Darcy Gale now stood outside Zane's office door, wanting to ask him what was going on.

But she could hear him talking with his friend inside.

His friend asked, "Weren't you going to give the VP role to Darcy? She's your fiancée-to-be."

Zane sounded dismissive. "Is that necessary? I'm the CEO of SummitCore Tech."

A bitter taste rose in Darcy's throat.

After a long pause, his friend spoke again, "After all this time, you still haven't gotten over Zora, have you?"

Zane's voice was rough. "The one you couldn't have in your youth will haunt you for the rest of your life. For me, Zora is that person."

A memory, hidden in a dark corner of Darcy's mind, surfaced.

She suddenly remembered a time, long ago, when Zane had murmured that name in his sleep.

She hadn't thought much of it then, assuming he was just talking nonsense in a dream.

The signs were there all along.

Darcy stood frozen, a sharp, stabbing pain spreading through her chest.

She wanted to turn and leave, but a fierce, morbid curiosity kept her rooted to the spot.

She clamped a hand over her mouth, letting the tears fall in heavy, silent drops.

His friend hesitated before reminding him, "But you and Darcy are getting engaged soon."

"I will marry Darcy. Not for love, but out of duty. Once her mother is out of the hospital after her surgery, we'll hold the engagement ceremony as planned."

Zane's cold, clear voice extinguished the last flicker of hope in Darcy's heart.

So he had never loved her!

Seven years ago, Darcy had fallen for Zane at first sight during a campus social. They started dating soon after.

Five years ago, Darcy was accepted into her dream graduate program. But because Zane wanted to start a company, she tore up her acceptance letter without hesitation to build a future with him, through thick and thin.

Now, SummitCore Tech, the company they built together, was an industry unicorn, valued at over a billion dollars.

A month ago, over a casual meal, Zane had offhandedly asked if she wanted to get engaged.

There was no ring, no flowers, but Darcy had been overjoyed. He had no idea how long she'd been waiting for him to propose.

She agreed without hesitation. Zane had simply nodded, his expression neutral. "Okay. We'll go look at wedding dresses after your business trip."

Today was the day Darcy returned from that trip. She went straight to the bridal shop from the airport.

She waited from 2 PM until 6 PM. Zane never showed.

He wasn't answering her texts or calls. So, Darcy came to his office.

She never expected to hear his "heartfelt truths" instead.

Darcy stood there, listening quietly to his cruel words.

Five years of willing sacrifice had all been a joke!

It was time to wake up.

She wiped her tears, picked up her suitcase quietly, and left.

Just as she reached the street downstairs, her phone rang. It was the bridal shop.

"Ms. Gale, we're still holding the dress for you. When should we expect you and Mr. Vance?"

Darcy looked at the flickering neon lights of the city, a self-mocking smile on her lips.

"Don't bother. We're calling off the engagement."

A gasp came from the other end. Darcy hung up sharply.

She was exhausted, body and soul. She didn't want to go home. Her mother was about to be hospitalized, and she didn't want to worry her.

After a moment's thought, she decided to get a taxi to a nearby hotel for the night. She needed to collect herself.

While she was waiting by the curb, a message finally came through from Zane.

"Sorry, was in back-to-back meetings this afternoon. Couldn't make it to the fitting. You decide on the dress. You're on leave starting tomorrow. Take a rest. Handle the engagement preparations. I'm swamped with work."

Darcy had already requested this month-long leave before her trip. It was for two reasons—to care for her mother during her surgery, and to plan their engagement.

It looked like the second reason was no longer necessary.

But her mother's surgery was scheduled. She couldn't delay that. She would still take the leave.

Darcy turned off her phone screen without replying.

Her taxi finally arrived. She put her luggage in the trunk and slid into the back seat.

Just then, a black Maybach sped past.

The driver was none other than Zane.

And in the passenger seat sat the woman he couldn't forget.

So, this was his "back-to-back meetings."

No time to accompany his fiancée to try on a dress, but plenty of time to take his old flame out to dinner.

The tears threatened to fall again.

At the hotel, after checking in and washing up, Darcy felt her head clearer.

She took out a pen and paper from her suitcase and began writing her resignation letter.

After seven years together, she wanted a clean, quiet break. For both their sakes.

The next morning, she handed the sealed envelope to a courier, instructing him to deliver it to Rex at SummitCore Tech.

Rex was Zane's personal assistant.

Once packed, Darcy wheeled her suitcase out the door. Her phone rang. It was her best friend, Kaia Lark.

"Darcy! So sorry, I just saw your message from yesterday."

Darcy pressed her lips together. They worked at the same company.

Yesterday, she had found out about Zora Moss joining SummitCore through Kaia's Instagram.

It was a photo of the two of them. Kaia and Zora were cheek-to-cheek. Kaia's eyes shone with admiration, while Zora smiled serenely, the picture of grace.

The caption read, "Wow!So lucky to have Dr. Moss join us as VP! Big things ahead for our team!"

Whatever. Kaia doesn't know Zora is Zane's old flame. No point blaming the ignorant.

Darcy wouldn't take it out on her. She forced a light laugh. "It's fine."

On the other end of the line, Kaia paused, a slight frown forming.

She's taking this lying down?

Her fiancé's old flame steals her VP promotion, and it's "fine"?

Tch. No wonder they call her Zane's lapdog. Her tolerance is something else.

Zane had specifically asked her not to tell Darcy about Zora's hiring yet.

Yesterday's post had been for Darcy's eyes only.

She'd been sure Darcy would confront Zane, make a scene. But nothing.

Darcy hadn't even dared to ask.

What a coward.

Kaia couldn't hide her disappointment.

After hanging up, Darcy went downstairs for breakfast, then prepared to get a taxi home.

Just then, a WhatsApp message popped up.

"Ms. Gale, have you considered my proposal from yesterday?"

The sender was Jethro Blackwood, heir to the Blackwood Group.

Before Darcy could reply, another message followed.

"My offer is sincere. I truly want you to join Stratagem Tech as CEO."

CEO? A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Blackwood Group needed to hire an external CEO?

Darcy's fingers tightened around her phone. She stared at the screen, her mind reeling.

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