Chapter 1

While I suffered an attempted kidnapping and was still on the radar of the kidnappers, he was attending a musical concert with his secretary. When I was asked to report the incident to the police station, and I sought his company, he said he was busy.

After returning home late at night, he went to sleep, not even pretending to care about me. However, my world crumbled when I found a receipt from his pocket that claimed he stayed the whole night in the same room with his secretary when gone on a business trip. That was it for me. I resigned from his company and decided to leave. But, something unexpected happened that night.

David's biggest rival, Marcus Smith, met me and offered his partnership. Before I could respond to his offer, my pictures with him went viral. David left everything and crawled back, begging me to return to his life.

——

I was sitting in my dimly lit apartment. My eyes were fixed on the phone in my hand. The conversation I had just had with David, my boyfriend of eight years, still lingered in my mind. He had promised to take me to the police station, where I was going to give a statement about the attempted kidnapping I had just survived. But he had never shown up.

As I replayed the events of the day in my mind, my eyes welled up with tears. Two men laced with weapons barged in my house and tried to take me away with them. Luckily, I alerted the local police on time and they came to my rescue. They asked me to later visit the police station and give a statement about the incident. I had been counting on David to be there for me, to support me through this traumatic experience. But he had broken his promise, just like he always did.

My gaze drifted to the TV, where the news was playing. A report about a concert at a local arena caught my attention. The reporter mentioned that famous business tycoon David Williams had attended the concert with his secretary, Cinthia Grey. They were shown laughing and smiling together, enjoying the music.

I felt a pang of anger and hurt. David had been too busy to meet me at the police station, but he had had time to attend a concert with Cinthia.

Suddenly, my phone rang, breaking the silence. David's name appeared on the phone's screen.

"Rosaline, I'm busy," he said, his voice cold and detached. "What do you want?"

I took a deep breath, trying to process my emotions. "I was just kidnapped and almost killed," I said, my voice shaking. "I thought you'd care."

David sighed,"I'm busy, Rosaline. Can't this wait?"

I felt a chill run down my spine. "You're not even going to pretend to care?" I asked in a low voice.

In his response, David replied in a cold voice,"I don't have time for this, Rosaline. We can deal with it later, alright?"

I hung up the phone. I was feeling numb throughout my body. David had never been emotionally available, but this time he had crossed all the limits.

As I sat there, trying to suppress my tears, someone knocked at the door. I hesitantly opened the door. The previous incident was still haunting me from inside. But, this time, it was the police officer who had taken my statement earlier.

"Rosaline, we need to take you into protective custody," he said, his voice firm. "The kidnappers may try to come after you again."

I finally took a sigh of relief. I was not alone anymore. At least someone cared about my safety. As I followed the officer out of the apartment, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever be able to escape David's toxic grasp.

Meanwhile, on TV, the reporter was still talking about the concert. "And here's a shot of David Williams and Cinthia Grey enjoying the music together," the reporter said, showing a photo of the two of them laughing and smiling together.

Police officers took me with them, afraid that kidnappers might try to hurt me again. As I sat in the police station, my heart began racing in the chest. I had never been in the police station before. Seeing criminals behind the cell just passed chills down my spine. I was feeling very lonely at this time. The police officer was a kind-faced woman. She sat in front of me and smiled gently. Her eyes were filled with concern as she asked in a soft gentle voice,"Rosaline, can you tell me more about the kidnappers? What did they look like? What did they say to you?"

I swallowed my saliva, trying to recall the memories that threatened me to death. But, I couldn't remember much other than the long-lasting terror imprinted in my heart.

"They were...they were masked," I stuttered in a trembling voice.

"They grabbed me off the street, threw me into a van. They...they didn't say much. Just that I had to call David and tell him to back off."

The officer's eyes narrowed as she asked, "Back off from what?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. They didn't say. It looked like they were sent by someone to threaten me and were doing their job."

The officer's expression turned grim. "We'll look into it," she said. "But Rosaline, I have to ask you something. Does your husband have any enemies who can try to hurt you to get even with you?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. If David really had an enemy who wanted to get even with him, why would he come after me? It's clearly visible that hurting me was pointless. David just didn't care.

“I don't know…” I replied hesitantly.

Just then my phone rang. It was David. He almost shouted on the phone, “Rosaline! Couldn't you wait for me a bit? I was just coming to pick you up.”

Chapter 2

“I sent my driver to pick you up for the police station, only to find the door was locked from outside.” He yelled, “Did you go alone?”

He went so far in caring about me that he bothered to send his driver for me while he was accompanying his secretary in a music concert. I smiled ironically before replying, “It doesn't matter anymore. I’m done reporting the FIR. You can call your driver back.”

I hung up the call as I went back to our home. The fear of being abducted and kidnapped still lingered through me but I tried to stay calm and not think much about that. However, I kept wondering, had I not escaped and been truly kidnapped by the kidnappers, would he have cared about me?

Later that night, when I returned home, David walked in. He was still humming the song that the singer was singing in the concert.

He barely glanced at me. His eyes were fixed on his phone as he typed out a message, probably replying to the message of Cinthia.The scent of his expensive cologne clung to him, a constant reminder of his lavish lifestyle. Meanwhile, I was sitting on the couch. My eyes were red from crying, my face pale. He didn't even notice.

"Did you eat?" he asked sternly as he poured himself a glass of water. I raised my gaze to look up at his carefree face.

"I'm not hungry," I said in a flat voice. He slightly narrowed his eyes as he shot a glance over me. His gaze then shifted back to his phone, replying to me in a distant voice,"You need to eat something. You're too thin."

I nodded my head in agreement, then I stood up from the couch and walked up to our bed to sleep. Seeing me act so detached, David paused.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice had a hint of indifference.

"No," I replied flatly. “Don't bother yourself because of me."

Next morning, I sat alone at the dining table, sipping my coffee and staring out the window. The silence was broken by the sound of David's footsteps as he entered the room. His eyes scanned the table, his gaze lingering on the empty spot where his breakfast usually sat.

"Where's mine?" he asked in a low voice. I could see the hint of annoyance clearly visible in his eyes.

I turned to face him, my expression neutral. "I didn't make any for you," I replied indifferently.

David's eyes narrowed. "You know I need breakfast before I start my day," he reminded me in a cold voice.

"I’m sorry I forgot," I lied.

Just then, his phone rang. He picked up the call and listened for a moment before his expression turned dark.

“Don't go anywhere alone, okay?” He said on the phone. He looked really concerned

"What is it?" I couldn't help asking, seeing how worried he seemed. David's eyes flashed with anger, saying,"It's Cinthia. She is scared because last night someone stalked her until she reached her home."

My heart sank, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me as I recalled the incident that happened with me. But David didn't even notice. He was too busy pacing back and forth, his mind consumed by thoughts of Cinthia's safety.

"I'll take care of it," he muttered to himself. "I'll make sure she's protected."

I watched him with a pair of sad eyes. He was so concerned about Cinthia's safety, but he hadn't even asked if I was okay after the kidnapping attempt. David was still pacing back and forth, his mind consumed by thoughts of Cinthia's safety. I watched him, feeling a sense of sadness wash over me.

Why couldn't he care about me like that? Why did he always have to put Cinthia first?

I stood up, feeling a sense of loneliness. I was tired of being treated like this. I was tired of being ignored and neglected.

I walked over to David, my heart pounding in my chest as I said in a low voice,"David,"

He turned to me. His eyes were still flashing with anger while he asked, "What?"

I took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak. I then finally asked, "Can we go to the office together? I’m not feeling safe today.”

“Rosaline,” He called me by my name, his expressions changed as he looked up at me with a pair of distant eyes, “Are you behind all these? Did you send someone to scare Cinthia?”

Chapter 3

“What?” I chuckled before asking, “Are you serious? Why would I do something like that?”

“You don't like Cinthia and that's very obvious. Maybe you…” He was accusing me.

But, I cut him off, asking,“She doesn't like me either. So, can I assume she was behind my kidnapping? After I’m gone from your life, her chance would be clear with you, isn't it?”

“Shut up, Rosaline,” He snapped, “She is not like that woman,”

“And I’m a woman who would do such things? Are eight years not enough for you to understand me?” I asked, my voice losing all its calmness. He sighed as he rubbed his forehead in annoyance before turning to look straight into my eyes.

“I’m asking you questions, Rosaline. Did you do it or not?” He asked in a commanding voice.

“No, I didn't. Do you believe me, David?” I asked angrily.

His expressions suddenly softened as he said in a low and a bit gentle voice, “Yes, I do, Rosaline. I was just concerned about Cinthia’s safety. That's why I asked you to stop doing this stuff. But, if you didn't do it, then it's really a matter of concern.”

I didn't know what to feel about this. Should I have felt happy that he finally trusted me or felt anger that he was showing the concern about Cinthia that he never showed for me. Tears were formed in my eyes as I asked, “What about me, David? Did you try to know anything about the kidnappers? What if they again come to get me?”

“Didn't you inform the Police?” He raised his eyebrows before adding, “I’m sure they will catch them. Don't worry.”

That’s exactly what he said for me and busied himself on his phone, trying to find the stalker that stalked Cinthia the other day. I felt like my heart had been shot with several arrows seeing him like that. It was the moment I realized I had wasted eight years of my life on a man who didn't deserve it at all.

I then packed my office bag and made my way towards the entrance to go to the office. Just then, David called me from behind.

“Rosaline,” he added, “Don't go alone. I’m calling Jimmy to take you.”

“No need. I’m not scared anymore.” With that said, I left for my office. I didn't even turn to look at his facial expressions.

As I stepped into the Williams Headquarters, the whispers began to circulate. The sleek, modern building with extraordinary Architect design was the talking sensation around the city. Every employee was handpicked by David, and its security was top notch. Still, today the security guards looked more aware than usual and the employees were curious, not knowing the reason behind it.

A few minutes later, David arrived with Cinthia by his side. Her laughter echoed through the lobby, drawing the attention of every pair of eyes. Two bodyguards were walking side by side with them.

I was the one who got attacked the other day yet Cinthia was the one enjoying a first class security in disguise of being David’s secretary.

I ignored them and made my way to the communal printer, pretending not to notice the glances and whispers that followed me. My colleagues were waiting for a reaction from me. But I refused to give them the satisfaction.

As I walked past two of David's subordinates, I overheard their hushed conversation.

"Ms. Rosaline is too rude," one of them muttered. "Men like women who are light-hearted , like Miss Cinthia."

Seeing me closer to them, they immediately shut their mouth, not uttering any word. But, they had already done enough damage. According to them I was boring and not fun loving just because I didn't sit with them and gossip during working hours or show off my relationship with the CEO of the company. But, I didn't care what they thought about me.

I kept walking on my heels, clicking against the polished floor. I returned to my office, where I found an envelope of receipts and my resignation letter waiting for me. I pocketed the pouch and letter, then headed to David's office.

As I approached David's office, I could hear the sound of Cinthia's laughter. Without hesitation I pushed open the door without knocking, startling the two of them. My gaze fell on Cinthia who was leaning on David while standing beside his chair. Her eyes opened up widely in fear as she swept her gaze towards the door

“Miss Rosaline, I was just-”

I snapped back at her, cutting off her attempt to explain

"Get out," I snapped.

“What?” She was looking at me with a pair of surprised eyes, not expecting me to talk like this.

“Out,” I repeated, my gaze being fixed on her.

David's eyes narrowed, a warning flashing across his face as he said, "Rosaline, watch your tone."

I ignored him, reaching into my pocket to retrieve the envelope. I tossed it onto the desk, spilling its contents – the receipts of hotels where David and Cinthia stayed for many nights.

"Next time you sneak into my hotel with my partner," I said coldly, "Don't let him return home with these receipts in his pocket."