Chapter 1 The news

CHRISTINE'S POV

I'm sorry, but I can no longer do this anymore" And by

this, he meant our relationship.

"You've been too busy for me. You care more about your

work than you do me and I don't deserve that. So I think

it's best we end this now."

I just sat there, frozen, watching him tear my heart into

pieces with words that felt rehearsed. Every syllable

chipped away at the life we built the eight years of

memories, plans, dreams all discarded like they never

mattered.

All because I was busy.

Busy trying to be something more.

Busy chasing a dream.

I thought he understood. I thought he was different.

It's been one month since Brian walked away without a

backward glance. One month since I've had to carry thisweight on my own, pretending it doesn't crush me a little

more each day.

Work has been the only thing keeping me grounded.

DREAMSPACE has been both my burden and my anchor.

Everyone at the company has heard of the breakup by

now of course they have but no one dares mention it.

They walk on eggshells around me, whisper in corners,

but never to me.

And weirdly, I appreciate it. I'm not ready to talk about it.

Not yet.

Seven years.

Seven whole years.

We met in college, both fresh into business school, young

and idealistic. Brian was the golden boy-charming,

intelligent, confident. Every girl wanted him. And me? I

was the shy heiress, trying to hide behind my last name

and make something of myself without people saying it

was all handed to me.

I still remember the day he walked into class; styled hair,

confident stride, and that endearing smile. He lit up the

room. I knew right then I was in love.Of course, I kept my feelings to myself.

But fate had other plans. We got paired for a class project,

and one group chat message turned into a thousand.

Coffee breaks became study sessions. Study sessions

became late-night talks.

And just like that, it was the start of our relationship .

We were inseparable. Late-night diner runs, weekend road

trips and sharing our dreams and especially one of A

family together .

After graduation, I helped him secure a position at my

father's company. Everyone loved him. It felt perfect until

it wasn't.

I still don't fully understand where we began to fall apart.

I only know it happened gradually.

As I climbed the ladder in the company, my workload

grew heavier. I had to work twice as hard to be taken

seriously not just as a CFO, but as the CEO-in-waiting. I

couldn't afford to slip up. I couldn't afford to be soft. And

Brian... he started to resent that.He said I was too focused on the company. That I made

him feel like an afterthought.

But I wasn't neglecting him I was fighting for my future.

Our future.

Wasn't that worth something?

I've tried to tell myself it was for the best. That maybe we

grew apart. Maybe we just weren't aligned anymore. But

that doesn't take away the sting of being left. Of not being

enough.

I moved back into my parents' house after the breakup. I

couldn't bear the silence of our shared apartment. Every

corner reminded me of him and what we shared .

I thought we were endgame. Turns out, I was wrong.

These days, work is my only constant. I'm still chasing

that CEO title, still trying to prove I'm not just "daddy's

little princess." My dad, the current CEO of

DREAMSPACE, is nearing retirement and I know he's

just waiting for the right time.Or maybe for me to show I'm ready.

I want to earn that seat. I want the board to know I didn't

just inherit ambition I embodied it. They see the spoiled

heiress; I want them to see the strategist, the builder, the

future.

My father always told me, "Christine, titles come and go

but legacy stays." And that's what I'm working for. A

legacy. Something no man can hand me or take from me.

The only person I really talk to these days is Angela-my

assistant, but honestly, more like my work-bestie. She's

the only one who knows how fragile I've felt. She doesn't

say much about the breakup, but I see the concern in her

eyes. She checks in with her silence, and for now, that's

enough.

Until today.

This morning started like every other. I got to the office,

pulled out my planner, braced myself for another round of

emails and boring talks .But then, my phone rings. Katy.

My actual best friend. A lifestyle influencer who's been

traveling the world and posting enviable pictures from

different countries .

We haven't spoken in weeks not since I ghosted everyone

post-breakup. So I brace myself.

And then she says it.

"So, what the hell happened with you and Brian?"

And for the first time since it all fell apart, I say it out

loud.

"We broke up."

No tears. No stammering. Just... the truth. Clear and

steady.

That has to count for something.Of course, Katy launches into a rant, swearing vengeance

and saying she'll "crack his skull open with a tripod." I

laugh, for the first time in days. It feels good to be heard.

To be seen.

We shift the conversation to her travels-she's currently

crushing on some surfer guy in Costa Rica-and we end

the call with her promising to visit soon.

And for the first time in a while, I feel a tiny flicker of

warmth.

But it's short-lived.

Angela knocks gently and says there's a board meeting I

wasn't expecting. I grab my things, confused, and follow

her.

The moment I step into the boardroom, I freeze.

He's sitting right there.Adrian.

What the hell is he doing here?