Chapter 2 The bathroom was quiet except for the dripping faucet . Gavin toweled off and automatically reached for his clothes , but found nothing on the hook . For years , Cecilia had always hung his clothes there , neatly prepared . Now the bare hook just reminded him she was gone . He hesitated just a moment before heading to the closet . Putting on his suit , he tried two different ties , but neither looked right . Annoyed , he ripped them off and left his collar hanging open . Then he went downstairs , only to find the kitchen cold and empty , with no steaming coffee or plates set out . Lips pressed tight , he left for work without eating . X In the CEO's office , Frank Murphy did a double - take . He never saw his boss eating at his desk before . Leaning in , he said . " Mr. Foster , the morning meeting has been canceled as instructed . Ms. Yates is starting today . I've got her set up by your office . She'll be handling your schedule from now on ." Gavin looked up , his gaze catching on Stella in her navy suit . His hand stopped in the air . For a second , he could almost see Cecilia sitting in her usual spot by the window . Shaking off his thoughts , Gavin cleared his throat and gave Frank a half - hearted nod . " Right ." The word came out flat as his eyes drifted back to his own desk . Frank passed Gavin the project team list for the upcoming exhibition . As Gavin scanned the document , Cecilia's name jumped out at him from the planners ' section . He frowned at the paper . " The Jewelry Exhibition is one of our toughest projects this year . " Tapping the file with his pen , he added , " Since when does Cecilia handle event planning? She's pushing herself too hard just to prove something . " Gavin seemed to have forgotten that he and Cecilia both graduated from Aletheia University . " Well , when she can't handle it , she'll realize the secretary team is where she fits best . " He tossed the file aside . " Keep her old desk available , Frank . " Cecilia silenced her sixth alarm and finally woke at 10 am , every muscle protesting last night's moving chaos . She had worked until dawn , calling in her best friend for emergency help , scrambling to hire last - minute cleaners , hauling boxes until midnight , before finally collapsing in her new villa . Years back , Cecilia had hoped to reclaim her family's foreclosed villa , but Gavin's last - minute schedule change made her miss the auction . As an apology , he bought her this quiet villa instead . She furnished every inch of the place , though she never actually stayed there . Just having her name on the deed gave her a security nothing else could . She had more than just the villa . There was also a downtown apartment and a BMW coupe . When the relationship ended , she took everything that belonged to her , no apologies , no explanations . She wasn't about to play the self - sacrificing fool just to make some grand gesture . What was hers stayed hers , simple as that . In the kitchen , Cecilia cooked breakfast with her phone on speaker . " Hello , I'd like to cancel the wedding dress I previously ordered . There's no need to deliver it . Please dispose of it for me . Thank you ." 1/3 12 . Tue , Aug D X +15 Chapter 2 Her best friend , Chloe Norris , walked in yawning , her throat parched . Cecilia pushed a warm mug toward her with an understanding look . " Morning . Made you some honey water . " Chloe cradled the mug in both hands , smiling her thanks . After listening to Cecilia's sudden breakup story the night before , Chloe had ranted about that jerk for hours until her voice went hoarse . She checked the clock and rasped , " Shouldn't you be at work ? Did Foster Group go under or what ? " " I'm with Project Division now , finally getting proper weekends off . And I think I'm going to quit . " Cecilia set down plates with sandwiches , flashing a tired but genuine smile . " Fridge is bare , but this'll do for now . " Chloe took an eager bite , her eyes lighting up with surprise . " Even your sandwich tastes amazing ," she mumbled through a full mouth , crumbs tumbling onto her lap . She quickly brushed them away before leaning in curiously . " So what's the plan after quitting ? " Cecilia's fingers trembled slightly as she traced the edges of the faded family photo . Taking a shaky breath , she whispered , " I haven't designed a single piece since Dad died . " A determined glint flashed in her eyes as she straightened her shoulders . " But maybe now it's the time to try again ? " Chloe's eyes lit up as she seized Cecilia's hands , her grip warm and insistent . " Of course , " she exclaimed , her voice bubbling with excitement . " The Jordan family used to be the top jewelry name in Kingsford . Your hands were made for designing , not cooking for some man . " Chloe's excitement was infectious . Cecilia felt it too , her eyes lighting up with new possibilities . " What if we opened our own studio ? " she ventured , then bit her lip . " I would need a partner , though my savings won't quite cover everything yet ." " Took you long enough to ask , " Chloe chuckled , her eyes dancing . " After my divorce , I took half that bastard's fortune . The interest alone keeps me comfortable . I believe in your talent . I'll handle the startup money . Let's go big or go home ." Chloe immediately picked up her phone to order champagne and flowers . The celebratory pop of the cork signaled their new beginning . Still in their pajamas , they clinked glasses with exaggerated formality , pretending to toast their future fortunes . Then they collapsed into laughter and a tight embrace . On Monday , Cecilia caught bits of restroom gossips before the meeting . Two colleagues were whispering that her transfer to Project Division looked like a demotion , especially since Gavin had brought in some bright young girl as his new secretary . Cecilia shoved the stall door open with a loud bang . The two gossiping women at the sinks froze , one with lipstick smeared across her teeth , the other clutching a half - applied mascara wand in stunned silence . Meeting their startled reflections in the mirror , Cecilia simply walked past without a word . There was no point arguing with office gossips . They would only twist your words anyway . ** Cecilia's exhibition plan showed real thought and attention to detail , surprising Project Manager David Zachary , who had assumed she was just another pretty face . When she handed in her resignation , David frowned . " Quitting so soon after transferring ? At least think it over ." " Just personal reasons , " Cecilia said with a quiet smile . " But don't worry , I'll see the exhibition through to the end . " 2/3 12:43 Tue , Aug 12 GO 95 % X Chapter 2 She had set a 30 - day reminder on her phone . This final month would be her professional swan song , a chance to leave on her own terms with every project completed properly . ***** +15 At the dinner party , Gavin stumbled out drunk , cigarette dangling from his lips as he dialed . When his Maybach arrived , only assistant Frank stepped out . One friend , Charles Lewis , asked in confusion . " Where's Cecilia ? She always picks you up . " " Ms. Jordan isn't Mr. Foster's secretary anymore , " Frank explained . Every head turned toward Gavin , clearly wondering if something had gone wrong between him and Cecilia . They all knew Gavin and Cecilia had been planning their wedding just weeks earlier . This sudden split didn't make any sense . Gavin's expression soured as the alcohol's warmth drained from his face . " She overreacted to some stupid misunderstanding , " he muttered , grinding his cigarette into the pavement . " If she wants to break up , fine . But I'm not begging her to come back . " Charles shook his head in disbelief . " You two grew up together . You can't throw that away over some petty argument . " Pulling out his phone , he added , " Let me talk to Cecilia , I'll smooth things over . " He put the call on speaker before saying , " Cecilia , Gavin had drunk too much . Can you come pick him up ? I'll text you the location . " The line went silent for a few seconds before Cecilia's voice came through , steady and final , " Not my responsibility anymore . Get someone else to babysit him . " The abrupt click of the call ending left the group stunned . Gavin's lips curled in amusement . " Don't you see ? " he said , eyes glinting with smug satisfaction . " This breakup is just her way of forcing me to chase her . Now you called her . She would take it as surrender . Your ' help ' is only making her dig in harder . " Xavier Tate , always trying to keep the peace , ventured carefully , " But what if she's serious this time ? She only got jealous because she still cares ." Gavin brushed off the concern with a dismissive hand , absolutely certain Cecilia would come begging . The other guys all nodded in agreement , laughing at the ridiculous idea that Cecilia would ever actually leave Gavin for good . Cecilia's phone buzzed with an incoming text . It was a message from her mother , [ Cecilia , your date is tomorrow at 7pm , Peninsula Café . Are you free ? ] She quickly replied that she would be there right on time , and then set her phone aside . The message had come sooner than exp what s 3/3