He Dumped Me Before Deadline

I kept going.

"Calvin, if you don't do it, I'm leaving. Good luck getting me to court to finish the paperwork."

After all these years, I knew him too well.

Right on cue, he frowned.

"I thought you were actually being reasonable today. So this is your new move? If I do it, you'll finish the filing?"

He really couldn't wait to make things official with Molly.

"Yes."

His expression darkened.

Like he was heading to his own execution, he forced the words out.

"Rhea, be with me. I'll buy you two bottles of milk every day and warm them up for you. What you drink will always be the perfect temperature..."

Molly's eyes instantly turned red.

"You still remember."

The room burst into applause.

Everyone praised Calvin for being so devoted, saying that even after eight years, he still remembered the way he'd confessed to Molly.

The two of them stared at each other while my stomach twisted.

I stood up.

"I've got something to do. I'm leaving."

Laughter followed me out the door.

People said I'd just embarrassed myself.

***

Outside, Sasha Selby, my bestie, came running over the second she heard.

"You actually signed the divorce papers with Calvin? Are you insane? You gave up your engagement to Mike Mercer and went against your family until you lost everything just to marry him. And now you're divorcing him like it's nothing and letting trash like Molly slide right in?"

I stayed quiet.

Mike Mercer.

The heir to the richest family in the country.

Back when Vance Corp was about to go under, I gave up Mike and married Calvin to save him.

My parents were so disappointed they cut me off completely.

And even then, the Vance family pushed me aside. I was Calvin's wife, but I wasn't allowed anywhere near family business. My place in that house was awkward at best.

After Molly came back, Calvin didn't hesitate for a second. He made her the COO and handed her control of ten billion dollars in company funds.

Love and indifference couldn't have been more obvious.

My heels had rubbed my skin raw. I shifted and let out a bitter laugh.

"You think she's trash. Calvin treats her like she's priceless. What exactly am I supposed to do?"

Sasha sighed and steadied me. "Men are like shoes. If they hurt, throw them out and upgrade."

Just then, Calvin walked downstairs. He gently ruffled Molly's hair.

"Molly, we'll do wedding photos first, then pick out the rings. Once we get the license, I'll send a thirty-car convoy to bring you home."

Then his eyes landed on me.

His mouth tightened.

"Rhea, you've got two things left. If you're playing games, I won't go easy on you."

I lowered my eyes and smiled bitterly.

He had no idea I already wanted to be as far away from him as possible. I was only staying around him because I wanted to survive.

After he left, I called out to the System in my head.

'That counts, right?'

The System's cold voice didn't change.

[Barely acceptable.]

[Task Two: Go on a one-day date with Calvin.]

I almost tripped.

"Seriously? He could barely stand me today. If I ask him on a date, he'll think I'm messing with him."

The System stayed cold.

[You have no right to question it. You may choose to give up and be erased.]

***

I spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, thinking about the task.

Bang.

Calvin kicked the door open and yanked me out of bed.

In the dark, his eyes burned with anger.

"Happy now? After the stunt you pulled today, Molly got sick the second she got home. I spent half the night taking care of her before her fever finally went down."

I pulled his hand off me and forced a smile.

"It was just a game. Couldn't you have stopped it? Who's gonna argue with the CEO?"