EVELYN'S POV

The day I received the offer from Rosemond & Son, I felt like the whole world had finally opened its doors for me. After so many rejections, sleepless nights, and endless worries about my mother’s surgery, I finally had something to hold on to. This wasn’t just another job; it was the biggest opportunity of my life. Rosemond & Son was the most successful law firm in the state, and if I worked hard, I could finally pay my mother’s hospital bills, build my career, and maybe even prove to everyone, including myself, that I was not weak.

I couldn’t keep the news to myself. I hurried to the small restaurant where Celina worked. She was wiping down a table when she saw me. The moment I blurted out, “Celina, I got the job! At Rosemond & Son!” she dropped the cloth and screamed.

She rushed over and hugged me tightly. “I knew it! I knew you’d make it, Evelyn! This is your chance, and you deserve every bit of it.”

Her happiness made me smile. For the first time in months, I felt hope. But the feeling didn’t last long.

“Well, well, look who’s still trying to chase dreams.”

That voice. I froze before I even turned my head. It was him. My ex. The man who had broken my heart, lied to me, and treated me like a fool.

He leaned against the counter, a mocking smirk on his face. “Rosemond & Son? Don’t tell me you think you got in there because of your talent. Let me guess you’re planning to seduce some rich man and climb your way up.”

His words stabbed at me, but instead of pain, I felt only burning anger. The old me might have cried or begged him to stop. But now? Now I hated him. I hated his betrayal, his lies, and his arrogance.

Celina stepped in front of me, her voice sharp. “Leave her alone. You’re the last person who should be talking about morals.”

He sneered, but I refused to give him my tears. I simply turned away. My sadness was gone, replaced by hatred and determination. One day, he would see me succeed, and I wouldn’t need to say a single word to prove him wrong.

The next morning was my first day at the law firm. I arrived early, dressed carefully in my best outfit. My heart was racing with nerves and excitement.

But before I even reached my desk, I bumped into someone. She was tall, dressed in a sharp designer suit, and carried herself with the confidence of someone who owned the world. She looked me up and down with cold eyes, then smirked.

“So, you’re the boss’s new favorite pet,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I froze. Her words stung, but I didn’t want trouble. I needed this job more than anything. So I quickly stepped back and said softly, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

She gave a snare, like I was nothing worth her time, and walked away.

I stood frozen until a colleague came closer and whispered, “That’s Vivian. She’s one of our top lawyers brilliant, but… she’s obsessed with the boss. Everyone knows she wants to be his girlfriend or even his wife someday. Since the boss personally showed up at your interview which never happens she’s now set her eyes on you. Be careful.”

My stomach dropped. So that was why she had treated me like that. Still, I forced a small smile and whispered back, “She doesn’t need to worry. I’m not interested in bosses or rich people. They’re all lunatics.”

The colleague laughed quietly, but before I could even breathe, Vivian reappeared. This time, she had a cup of coffee in her hand. She had clearly overheard me.

The look on her face was sharp, as if I had just insulted her most precious dream. Without warning, she rushed forward and shoved me hard against the wall. Hot coffee spilled, but I barely noticed because of the pain in my back

Just then, footsteps approached. The boss. He had seen everything.

“Vivian,” his voice was calm but cold, “that’s enough.

Her face turned pale, and she quickly stepped aside. He looked at me. “Come to my office.”

My heart pounded as I followed him inside. He sat behind his desk and leaned back, studying me. “I know it’s your first day, but you should understand something. Not everyone here will welcome you. Some will see you as competition. You must be careful.”

I quickly pulled out a notebook and took notes of every word he said. I couldn’t afford to make mistakes.

Then, he suddenly asked, “How do you feel about Vivian?”

I blinked in surprise. “Honestly, I don’t care. I’m not here to fight anyone. I only want to work hard, do my job well, and get promoted.”

For a second, I thought I saw disappointment in his eyes, but he quickly looked away.

I was confused by his expression. Maybe I had misunderstood. Still, the fact that he didn’t defend Vivian made me feel relieved. For the first time, I thought to myself: maybe not all rich men were terrible.

The next day, he called for a morning meeting. Watching him speak was different. He wasn’t just a boss; he was a true leader. His professionalism and determination impressed me more than I wanted to admit.

Vivian, however, noticed my change. Her sharp eyes never left me.

Halfway through, the boss received an urgent call and had to leave. Before going, he appointed Vivian to finish the meeting. She forced a smile, but when the others left, her mask slipped.

“So,” she said, stepping closer to me, “you really think you belong here? You think you can compete with me?”

I didn’t want trouble. “I’m not competing with anyone. I just want to do my work quietly.”

But she wasn’t done. She suddenly screamed, “How dare you slap me!”

I froze. “What? I never

Before I could finish, the boss walked back in. His eyes landed on us, and for a terrifying moment, I thought he might believe her.

But instead, he said firmly, “Enough, Vivian. I know what happened.”

Relief washed over me so strongly I almost cried.

Later that day, my phone buzzed. It was a message from him.

I want to take you out to dinner. To apologize.

I stared at the words, my heart beating fast. Why was he doing this? Was it really an apology or something else?

I told myself it had to be a coincidence. But deep inside, a small voice whispered: maybe it wasn’t. Maybe he was watching me more closely than I realized.

And that thought both frightened me… and stirred something I didn’t want to name.