His eyes glistened as he slid the ring onto her finger. Then he pulled her into a kiss.
As if, in that moment, he had everything he'd ever wanted.
Around us, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers—mocking me. Not a single face showed surprise.
So Elwin had been cheating with Valerie all along.
I was the only fool who hadn't known.
My eyes burned. The smile frozen on my face must have looked grotesque.
Someone shoved me from behind.
"Maureen Farley, did you really think a nobody like you could transform into a phoenix?"
"Only a true heiress like Valerie deserves someone of Elwin's status. If you're going to cry, do it somewhere else!"
I didn't cry. My eyes just burned, raw and stinging.
But that didn't stop me from tendering my resignation and demanding my shares back.
Elwin actually laughed.
"Maureen, stop being dramatic. Without Valerie backing you all these years, how could you have possibly held onto your position and that generous salary? Leave Starlight, leave me, and you'll be nothing."
So that was how he saw it. Everything I'd poured into this company—invisible. All of it credited to Valerie.
I couldn't help but laugh.