Chapter 12

Thea didn't waste any more time. She pointed to the door. "Fine. Let's break up and call off the engagement."

Jake looked exasperated but kept his tone soft. "Thea, let's not rush things. I made a reservation at your favorite restaurant for tonight. Let's talk, okay?"

Thea gave him a long, serious look. "Alright, I'll stop making a fuss. So tell me, what do you want to talk about? Do you want to explain what's between you and Madelyn?"

Jake latched onto her first sentence, ignoring the rest. He answered, "We'll talk about how you should balance your work and personal life. Once we're married, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to keep working. It's best if you quit and focus on being Mrs. Hend—" He smiled confidently, as if making a reasonable, even loving suggestion.

Thea was speechless. She hadn't realized Jake could be so clueless and shameless.

Just then, her phone buzzed. A notification from her company's group chat popped up: the project Nicolas had assigned her was progressing well, and her promotion paperwork was about to be finalized.

Thea didn't miss the flicker of frustration and anxiety in Jake's eyes as he noticed the message. Everything clicked into place.

For a moment, she had foolishly thought Jake still cared about their seven-year relationship and genuinely wanted to make things right.

"So, let me get this straight," Thea said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I quit my job, marry you, and the deputy manager position goes to Madelyn? You two can ride off into the sunset on the back of all my hard work, right?" She sneered. "Jake, are you living in some kind of fantasy?"

For a brief second, Jake's handsome face twisted in anger. His voice turned cold. "I just don't understand you, Thea. You've got the Rowland and Hendrix families backing you. But Madelyn is just a poor girl with health issues. Why do you have to be so ruthless? Why do you want to take everything from her?"

He looked at her with disbelief and frustration. "Thea, your cruelty is making you someone I barely recognize." Anger surged through Thea, making her chest tighten. She stood up abruptly and stormed out of the office. Outside, she called to the employees, her voice loud and clear, "I got promoted today, so I'm using my bonus from the last project to treat everyone to dinner! Let's celebrate!"

"Wow! Miss Rowland, you're so generous!" the employees exclaimed.

Thea glanced back at Jake; his face was gloomy, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.

She smiled brightly. "Ruthless, huh? Then I'll gladly live up to that. Honestly, I might pass this promotion to anyone else but Madelyn. You two should definitely come tonight. After all, without your motivation, I wouldn't have gotten promoted so fast."

Jake grabbed her hand roughly, his cold eyes filled with a barely concealed threat. "Thea, are you really trying to push me to the edge? I know you've been holding onto this job just to get my attention. You've thrown your tantrum and made your point. Do you really want me to hate you completely?"

Thea met his gaze, her voice flat and emotionless. "I don't love you anymore. And it's not just the deputy manager position I want; I want yours, too."

She pulled her hand free and walked away without looking back.

Later, at the restaurant, when Jake showed up with Madelyn, the room went silent. Every eye was on them.

Madelyn looked different from her usual plain self. She was dressed in a high-end designer outfit with luxurious accessories, looking far more polished and confident, as if she were meant to be the center of attention. Their outfits were perfectly color-coordinated—a clear couple's set.

Thea tried to ignore it, but the sight stung. She had once admired this designer's collection, hoping to buy matching outfits with Jake. But when she suggested it, he'd said, "Thea, aren't you a little old for that? Couple's outfits are childish. I don't like those kinds of clothes, so don't bring it up again." Yet here he was, hand-in-hand with Madelyn. When someone asked about their outfits, Jake smiled warmly. "Madelyn said she liked it, so I bought it for her." Madelyn's cheeks turned pink as she smiled shyly and lowered her head. "I just thought the outfit was beautiful. I didn't even realize it was a couple's set." She blinked innocently at Thea. "Thea, you're not upset, are you? If it bothers you, I can give the outfit to you."

Thea swirled her wine and smiled politely. "Sorry, I have a thing about germs."

Throughout dinner, Jake was extra attentive to Madelyn, as if putting on a show for Thea. But Thea gave them no reaction. During a quick trip to the restroom, she unexpectedly crossed paths with Madelyn.

Despite the high-end jewelry and expensive dress, Madelyn didn't quite pull off the look. The longer one stared, the more out of place she seemed. Madelyn clearly felt it. When she glanced at Thea, her eyes flickered with resentment. She blocked Thea's path. "Feeling pretty smug, aren't you?"

Thea was surprised by Madelyn's sudden hostility. With a faint smile, she replied, "Of course I am. I just got promoted to deputy manager, got a raise, and got to annoy the two of you. Why wouldn't I be?"

Madelyn's face twisted. "You won't be smug for long. I'm going to take everything you have from you."

"Go ahead and try," Thea replied coolly. But as she brushed past Madelyn, an uneasy feeling crept into her chest.

Just before she reached the private room door, a large hand grabbed her from the shadows, pulling her sharply to the side. The forceful grip pushed her against the wall; the smell of alcohol filled her nostrils. A familiar, slurred voice sounded: "Thea, can you stop this nonsense? I'm sick of it." Clearly drunk, Jake stared at her with unfocused, tense eyes.

Thea frowned, trying to shake off his hand, but he held on tightly. She shouted, "Jake, what's wrong with you? From the moment you left me in that jewelry store when we were supposed to be picking out rings, there was no chance for us anymore. You chose Madelyn. Over and over, you've hurt me just to make her happy. Isn't it ridiculous to say this to me now?"

But Jake raised his voice, almost like a spoiled child. "We're here because you pushed us to this point! At first, I only felt sorry for her. If you hadn't been so harsh to her, I wouldn't have gotten so angry and tried to punish you. I just wanted you to be softer, to lean on me like Madelyn does. Is that really so wrong? Look at yourself now. No other man is going to want you either."