Chapter 1Kicking Out the Jerk: My Life Got Better Overnight

I spent two weeks learning how to make the perfect chicken soup for Justin King, and he turned around and gave it to his new assistant.

That same night, I saw a message from the assistant: "I drank it all! Your girlfriend won't be mad, right?

Before I could even get angry, Justin insisted we break up.

As I desperately tried to change his mind, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly echoed in my head.

All the memories flooded back instantly.

I quickly took a step back, my eyes filled with suspicion as I looked at Justin.

"Well then, good riddance!"

* * *

He picked up the phone, his cool voice on the other end.

"Hello? Who's this?"

I stood downstairs from his bustling office building, clutching the thermos, my heart bubbling with excitement.

"I made you soup! Remember to buzz me in."

He didn't answer right away. After a long pause, he just mumbled a soft "Mm."

I ignored the weird silence in between, too caught up in the joy of seeing the guy I loved.

The elevator numbers climbed steadily. The reflection in the mirrored walls showed a happy little woman, beaming.

Justin's office door was open. I walked in, practically skipping.

"Come try the soup I made! I spent over two weeks learning how."

The words had barely left my mouth when I saw the girl standing nervously by his desk.

I stopped talking.

"And this is?"

Justin kept his eyes glued to the contract on his desk, not even glancing my way.

"My new assistant."

I didn't think much of it and put the thermos down on his desk.

"Go on, try it while it's hot. See my new skills."

The assistant, who hadn't said a word, timidly looked up.

"Maybe I should go, I don't want to interrupt—"

I looked over at her and noticed her eyes were getting misty, like I'd committed some horrible crime.

My heart sank. I instinctively looked towards Justin.

Just then, Justin looked up, and I saw the impatience clear in his eyes.

Before I could even register that, I heard him say, "Wendy, I'm working. Can you head home now?"

The smile froze on my face. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, but I quickly pulled myself together.

I knew Justin hated being disturbed when he was working.

"Okay, I'll go then. Make sure you finish the soup while it's hot."

I repeated the reminder, feeling a weight in my chest, then walked out with heavy steps.

Halfway down the hall, I realized I'd left my wallet on his desk. Normally, I'd just ask Justin to bring it home after work, but this time, some strange impulse made me turn back.

Through the glass door, I saw Justin push the thermos towards the girl he called his new assistant.

He was smiling, eyes crinkled, saying something that made the assistant giggle flirtatiously.

In that instant, my heart felt like it had plunged into an icy abyss. My body started trembling uncontrollably.

I practically ran away.