IS IT ENOUGH?

Sophie's words made her remember the past.

A year ago, Emily had watched a good man's life crumble in front of her.

She and Jake had worked together at Zenith Tech, one of the most prestigious companies in the city. She was in accounting, he was in security. Their interactions had always been casual—friendly nods in the hallways, short conversations by the break room, the occasional shared complaint about work.

But everything changed the day the accusation came.

She had been at her desk when the news spread like wildfire—Jake Carter, the security guard, was being fired for sexual harassment.

Emily had felt her stomach drop.

The girl who accused him was Rebecca Sinclair, a high-ranking HR executive. Blonde, polished, and from an influential family, Rebecca was the kind of woman no one dared question. And she was claiming that Jake had cornered her in the parking lot after work.

Emily had been in that parking lot that night. She had seen what really happened.

Jake had been doing his routine patrol, and Rebecca had approached him. She had leaned in too close, touched his arm, laughed at something he didn't say. Jake had taken a step back, visibly uncomfortable. Emily had thought nothing of it at the time—just another executive trying to flirt with someone beneath her pay grade.

The next morning, Rebecca was crying in the CEO's office. By lunchtime, Jake's employee badge had been deactivated.

No one asked for his side of the story. No one reviewed the security footage. HR closed the case within an hour.

Emily had tried to fight it. She had gone to her manager, insisting that something didn't add up, that she had seen Rebecca with Jake that night and he wasn't the one pursuing her.

But no one wanted to listen.

"Let it go, Emily," her manager had said. "You don't want to be on the wrong side of this."

The wrong side.

It had been a warning. Speak up, and you'll be next.

Emily had gone to Jake's locker after work, but it was already emptied out. He was gone. No one even said goodbye.

It wasn't until weeks later that she found him again—homeless, jobless, sitting on a curb with an eviction notice in his hands.

That was the day she made a choice.

"Come with me," she had said, pulling him off the ground. "I'm not letting them destroy you."

And she hadn't.

She helped him find a new job. She helped him rebuild his life. And in the process, she fell in love with him.

Now, a year later, she was about to turn down the biggest opportunity of her life for him. Because after everything he had been through, she refused to be another person who left him behind.

But a small, nagging voice in the back of her mind whispered—would he have done the same for her.

She pushes that thought in the back of her mind. This was for the best. It will keep her marriage stable and happy. Besides other opportunities were going to come.

She was busy working when her husband called, "Missed me already?" If there is one thing always brings her happiness it's talking to her husband.

"Yeah l miss you soo much. " a smile tugs on her lips. Her heart flutters.

" you do know how to make a girl feel special my love." I tell him

" oooooh yeah then wait until tonight l will make you see heaven." This man and his mouth.

" anyway l called because I'll be leaving work early and l wanted to pick you up. I got paid today and l want to spoil my wife. " l sigh.

"Honey , you know we can't waste money on fancy outings we have bills to pay. "

" l know but l got my bonus today and thought of spoiling you with it. I never get to do anything for you so it means so much to me. " His words sounds so sincere and l find myself agreeing. Besides l needed to talk to him about the promotion. Even though l wasn't taking it l wanted to inform him.

"Okay fine. " l can hear his excitement. " yes love you darling. "

....

When Emily agreed to a night out, she hadn't expected this.

Jake had taken her to a five-star hotel.

A five-star hotel.

Her stomach twisted. How much had this place cost?

"Jake, this is too much. Are you sure your bonus can even cover this?"

He looked completely at ease, like he belonged here. It was a character trait she had grown used to—even in their worst times, Jake never seemed to stress about money.

"Relax, babe," he said. "A friend of mine works here. He promised me a discount."

That was… new information. Since when did he have friends in high-end places like this?

And do high end restaurant offer discounts?

Before she could ask, a polished doorman greeted them.

"Sir, welcome back."

Emily stiffened.

"Welcome back?"

Jake barely reacted, just offering a small smile.

Her confusion must have been obvious because he added, "It's just formality. They call everyone that."

That… made sense.

But something about the interaction felt off.

They were led straight to a table—no wait, no menu, and within minutes, food was already served.

Emily leaned in, whispering, "Aren't we underdressed?" She gestured to her simple pencil skirt and dress shirt, his black t-shirt and pants. Everyone else looked like they had just walked out of a gala.

Jake just smiled. "Doesn't matter. All that matters is that we're together."

His words were sweet, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something.

As she took a bite of her food, she decided—this was the moment to tell him.

"Jake, I wanted to talk to you about something."

His brow furrowed. "What is it?"

She swallowed hard. Why was she nervous?

"I got a promotion today."

His face lit up. "That's amazing! Why didn't you say something earlier?"

Here it comes.

"Because… the job is in England."

The mood shifted instantly.

Jake's smile faded. His posture stiffened.

"Did you take it?" he asked, his voice controlled.

"No, I didn't."

He exhaled in relief. "Good. We don't need to relocate. We're fine where we are."

Emily felt a pinch of disappointment.

She didn't know what she had been expecting—maybe for him to encourage her to go? Maybe for him to say he would follow her?

But all he said was "good."

She forced a smile. "Yeah… I thought so too."

He nodded, satisfied.

"Besides, money isn't everything," he said, squeezing her hand. "We have each other. That's all that matters."

His words made sense. Maybe it was high time she stopped thinking about what she could have and appreciate what she has. That thought gives her calm and ease.