"Lowell, I'm on a business trip and I don't have time. Besides, our agreement is crystal clear: neither of us borrows money from the other. It kills motivation. If you're broke, tough it out. Consider it a lesson. Maybe it'll teach you to work harder."

Then there was last November.

The company had organized a team retreat. Eve said she needed to stay behind at the office to meet with clients.

But according to the file, she and Gabriel had spent the entire day going at it in her office.

Now it all made sense. The flush on Eve's cheeks when she came home that night. The hungry way Gabriel's eyes had followed her. It had been right there in front of me the whole time.

I put the evidence away, a cold void settling in my chest.

The betrayal was a done deal. What came next was the reckoning.

After I was discharged from the hospital, I printed out a divorce agreement and headed to the CEO's office at the company.

But when I opened the door, I walked in on her and Gabriel in an intimate embrace.

He had his arms wrapped around her, their clothes half-undone, hands roaming over each other.

Even though my heart was already dead, the sight still sent a surge of fury through me.

I forced it back down.

They both jumped when they saw me. Eve scrambled off him, smoothing her clothes as she blurted out an explanation.

"Lowell, don't get the wrong idea. We were just discussing a client issue."

I let out a cold laugh. "Eve, do you think I'm stupid?"

"Or blind?"

Gabriel rushed to smooth things over.

"Lowell, buddy, don't overthink it. We really were just talking business. Eve twisted her ankle, and I happen to know a massage technique, so I was helping her with the pain."

As he said this, a smirk flickered across his lips.

I ignored him and handed the printed divorce agreement directly to Eve.

The moment she saw it, irritation flashed across her face. She snatched the papers and tore them to shreds.

"Lowell, don't think I can't see right through you. You're doing this because you're jealous of how well I treat Gabriel!"

"Fine, you've got my attention now. Happy? Now get back to work before I dock next month's pay too!"

I stared at the shredded agreement in silence, then turned and printed another copy.

But before I could find Eve again, Gabriel sauntered over to me, looking pleased with himself.

There was an ID badge hanging from his neck now.

It read: Sales Director.