Break up

"Really?" Anne scoffed sarcastically, finding it absurd.

Denis's expression turned stormy as he saw her smug look. "Is it funny? Last night, it was raining heavily, and the maid said you didn't go home. Of course, I was worried. Where were you?"

'Oh! So, the maid informed him,' she thought. If not, he wouldn't have known she hadn't gone home. Yet, he was pretending to care about her.

Anne shoved his hand away. "There is no need to worry about me. Let's break up."

"What?" He squinted at her with disbelief. "Break up? Do you want to break up with me?"

Anne nodded firmly.

He chuckled, his expression softening. "Are you angry because I forgot about your birthday?" he asked gently. "It was my fault. I was busy last night, and it slipped out of my mind. Don't worry. We'll celebrate next year."

He leaned over to kiss her.

Anne pushed him away. "I am serious." Her voice rose. "I don't want this relationship anymore."

"Anne Clair," his eyes darkened instantly, "don't go too far. It was just a birthday. Why are you making a fuss about it?"

Anne glared back at him. "Do you think it is because you forgot about my birthday?"

A flicker of unease flashed across his eyes as he wondered if she had found out about Tania's pregnancy. But he steeled himself the next minute, making his face stern.

"Don't joke around, okay?" he said casually, adjusting his coat. "You love me so much that you can never leave me. Besides, your father is lying in a coma. Who will give you money for his treatment? And your abusive mother – who will save you from her?"

Anne's blood boiled. It was partially true that she had become dependent on him because of her family issues. But she had been with him all those years because she loved him, not because of the need for money.

"You no longer have to care about all that," she said defiantly. "I'm capable enough to pay the medical bills of my father."

"Don't be ridiculous, Anne. Your father's treatment is going on in the city's best hospital, and the best medical staff is taking care of him. How do you think it is possible? One phone call will be enough for me to throw him out of the hospital."

Anne's eyes burned with freshly welled-up tears. This was the man who she had loved for so long. How could she be so blind? How had she failed to see this cruel side of his?

She swallowed the rising emotions. "Fine, I'll take him out of there and find a hospital that I can afford."

"What's wrong with you?" Denis was clueless as to why a submissive woman, who had never dared to talk back to him, was acting all defiant. "Why are you acting so weird?"

He cupped her face, his gaze softening. "I know you are mad at me. I promise I'll make it up to you. Don't mention breaking up again."

Before Anne could retort, he pressed his lips against hers.

Anne froze, her muscles stiffening. This man had slept with another woman, yet he was kissing her. The mere thought of his lips locked with Tania's churned her stomach. Every single cell of her body screamed in protest.

She pushed him away and slapped him, the crips sound echoing inside the room. Her chest moved up and down visibly as she pinned him with a warning glare.

Denis, dumbfounded, rubbed his stinging cheek. "You hit me! How dare you?"

"I am no longer your girlfriend," she snapped. "Don't try to get close to me."

She turned around to leave.

"Anne Clair," Denis snarled. "How dare you break up with me? I am the CEO of this company, and you are merely a secretary. What right do you have to end this relationship."

Anne sneered and looked back at him. "Yes, I am a normal woman from a lowly background. What right do I have to be your girlfriend? You are now with Tania, your first love. You don't need me anymore. Stop bothering me."

She stepped toward the door.

"Fine," he hissed. "You said that. Don't regret it."

'I'll never regret breaking up with you,' muttering in her mind, she dashed out the door. But tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Why am I still crying?" she muttered under her breath, ruthlessly wiping her tears away. As she walked down the lobby, she almost ran into a tall figure.

"Sorry," she instantly apologized and stepped back. When she lifted her eyes, her breathing stopped.

It was him again.

"You?" she exclaimed, surprised.

Augustine smirked. "We meet again."

Anne chuckled, her tense muscles relaxing. "Yeah. This is where I used to work."

"Uh-huh? Now you don't work here." He arched an eyebrow.

"I'm resigning," she replied.

"Oh, I see. May I know why?" he pressed cautiously.

With a flick of her finger, she motioned for him to come in closer. He leaned over to her slightly.

She tiptoed and whispered, "Because I don't like the boss here."

He smiled in amusement. "Is he bad?"

"Very much. Just now, I smacked him in the face."

Augustine's smile widened as he imagined the scene of Anne slapping Denis. He didn't know what had happened between them, but he was sure there was a rift between her and Denis. Finally, he would have a chance to get close to her.

"By the way, why are you here?" she asked.

"For some work."

"Looking for a job here?" She squinted at him suspiciously. "Take my suggestion – don't work here. Why don't you try at the Sphere Group of Industries? It's a giant business conglomerate abroad and has opened its branch here lately. You should consider it."

Augustine looked down at the tip of his shoes, a proud smile on his face. He was the president of the Sphere Group of Industries, but Anne was blissfully unaware of it.

"Hmm, I'll think about that." His gaze dropped to her hand, and he saw the blood stain on the bandage. His expression changed instantly. "Your hand." He instantly reached out and held her hand. "It's bleeding."

Only then did Anne realize her hand was bleeding. Her wound might have torn open when she pushed Denis away. "It's…I'll be fine. Don't worry." She drew her hand back.

"Let me take you to the hospital."

"No, it's not necessary."

"You shouldn't avoid it," he cut her short. "If you leave it untreated, it may get infected. Come with me."

"I…" Anne hesitated.

"You are coming with me." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along with him.

"Wait a minute. Let me bring my bag first."

Augustine released her hand.

Anne hurried back to her desk. Taking her bag, she came back to him. "Let's go."

They left together.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the hospital. "You go in first," Augustine said. "I'll park the car and join you."

"Alright." Anne stepped out of the car and went into the hospital. She went to find a doctor in the ER.

Tania, who had been dealing with the discharge procedure, saw her. "What is she doing here?" she wondered. "Let me see what she is up to."