Elena's POV
"Baby?" I called out.
My voice bounced off the walls of Marcus's living room as I walked inside. "Baby?" I tried again, tossing my leather purse onto the couch.
That's when I spotted them.
Fresh roses. A small jewelry box. Wine.
My pulse quickened with anticipation.
"He actually remembered," I whispered, a twinge of guilt hitting me.
I'd come here ready to tear into Marcus for forgetting our two-year anniversary and probably skipping my promotion celebration tonight.
"Marcus," I said, stepping toward the gifts.
I grabbed the wine bottle from the wooden table and my stomach dropped. Already opened, with two empty glasses I hadn't noticed before.
My brow furrowed as I set the bottle down and headed toward the bedroom.
"Marcus!" I shouted this time, shoving the door wide.
I went rigid.
Marcus was in bed with another woman. Their groans filled the space, making me sick.
Disbelief crashed through me as I stood frozen, watching my boyfriend fuck someone else.
"Marcus!" I screamed, finally finding my voice.
"Let me fucking finish," Marcus growled back, his voice rough with lust and irritation.
My gut clenched, but I couldn't move—couldn't look away as Marcus thrust with the same rhythm that used to drive me wild.
"Fuck! Yes! Yes!" Marcus groaned, his movements growing frantic before he collapsed, gasping.
Tears stung my eyes unexpectedly. I clenched my jaw, fighting to keep from shaking. I'd barely processed what I was seeing when I recognized the woman next to Marcus.
"Janelle," I breathed, more tears blurring my vision.
Janelle propped herself up on one elbow, lips curved in a cruel smile. "Hey Elena, so nice of you to drop by."
I stared at Janelle's boldness. Even after everything I'd witnessed, part of me kept hoping for some reasonable explanation. I ignored Janelle as she draped her legs over Marcus's shoulders.
Marcus gripped those legs, kissing each one slowly.
I flinched. "What the hell is this?" I demanded, trying to sound strong but hearing my voice shake.
"What's it look like?" Janelle shot back, her smirk growing wider. "We were discussing the weather."
Marcus chuckled at her sarcasm, running his fingers through his messy hair. "It's exactly what you think, El. We're done."
The way he said my nickname made rage boil inside me. He didn't get to cheat and then act casual about it. I wiped my face with my sleeve, sniffling.
"I can't believe I wasted two years on you!" I shouted, trying to sound as venomous as possible. "I gave you everything and you couldn't even have the decency to—"
"I gave you everything!" Marcus cut me off, wrapping the pink sheet I'd bought him for Christmas around his waist. "I'm the one who wasted time. You never deserved any of it. Not my love, and sure as hell not that job."
Janelle smirked, and it felt like a knife to my chest. I moved closer, eyes blazing.
"You can't claim you handed me that job. I busted my ass to earn it."
Marcus let out a harsh laugh. "My connections did. You think Cal would hire some nobody like you without me pulling strings?"
"Obviously not," Janelle added, sitting up straight. "Everyone knows you only screwed Marcus so his buddy would give you work, you pathetic slut."
I gasped, tears threatening to spill again.
Not here. Not now.
They both laughed, and my face burned with humiliation. But before the tears could fall, I bolted.
In the living room, I screamed and flipped the coffee table, sending everything crashing to the floor.
Childish? Maybe. But I needed to feel something other than this crushing pain in my chest.
I held back the tears until I reached Minnie's house. When I got there, they came flooding out, blinding me completely. I crumpled to the ground, my chest feeling like it might cave in.
"Elena?" Minnie called out. Seeing my state, concern flooded her voice. "What happened?"
"Marcus... Janelle..." I managed through my shaking voice.
Minnie sat beside me, pulling me close. "Breathe deep and tell me everything."
I followed her lead, my racing heart slowing under Minnie's calming presence. I hiccupped, another tear sliding down as I recounted the whole nightmare.
"Janelle? From your work?"
I nodded.
"How does she even know Marcus?"
"Through Cal, obviously," I sniffled.
"That fucking bitch. I can't believe she'd do that. And Marcus? Tonight of all nights?" Minnie's voice climbed with fury.
My stomach twisted again. Tonight was supposed to be my career highlight. I'd finally scored the promotion, finally made it to news editor after breaking that massive story. I should've been celebrating with Marcus, marking a new chapter.
He'd destroyed our anniversary and now this too. I wasn't even sure I wanted to show up anymore.
"I'm staying home," I said aloud.
Minnie frowned. "Like hell you are. You've worked your ass off for this position and you've earned this celebration." She squeezed me tighter. "Don't let him break you."
"But—"
"No excuses," Minnie interrupted firmly. "You're going to your party. Marcus isn't going to drag you down. You've earned this."
"I've earned this," I repeated, though I didn't quite believe it yet.
Minnie stood up, her expression softening. She held out her hand. "Come on, let's get you ready. Tonight's going to be amazing."
I managed a weak smile as I reluctantly took her hand. Thoughts of Marcus and Janelle kept creeping in, but I shoved them aside.
Even though all I wanted was to cry myself to sleep, I refused to let those assholes ruin another second of my day.
So I followed Minnie to her bedroom, where we got ready. Two hours later, I was wearing a red dress with a thigh-high slit. Minnie had styled my brown hair in an elegant updo and done my makeup perfectly.
"You look absolutely stunning," Minnie said with a satisfied grin.
I studied my reflection, feeling more centered now.
"Yeah," I agreed.
"Let me get dressed too," Minnie said.
An hour later, we headed to Sector Freedom's VIP section.
Minnie, gorgeous in a sleek black dress, whispered behind me. "I can't wait to see the setup, and that bitch's expression. You need to show her who's boss now, Elena."
Minnie's words sparked something inside me, and my heart fluttered—not with pain this time, but with a hint of rebellion.
I would definitely show Janelle.
As we entered the VIP area, ice ran through my veins. My coworkers were already there, but instead of the welcoming faces I'd expected, I saw pitying stares and hushed conversations.
Was I imagining things?
"What's their problem?" Minnie asked nervously.
The question made my stomach clench, but before I could answer, Janelle and Marcus emerged from across the room, fingers intertwined.
The pain slammed back—brutal and unforgiving in my chest.
Minnie found my hand, squeezing gently.
Before either of us could say anything, Cal stepped forward with a champagne flute in one hand and a microphone in the other.
"Thanks everyone for coming tonight," he started, his gaze finding mine and lingering. "But there's been a change of plans. Tonight we're celebrating Janelle—she's our new editor. Congratulations, Nell."
Bewilderment crashed over me, my heart plummeting.
What the fuck just happened?