The Bullet Screen Says He Loves Me, But I Can’t Feel It Chapter 02

The Bullet Screen Says He Loves Me, But I Can’t Feel It Chapter 02

I finished packing and moved into the apartment I’d never canceled.

I’d rented it a few months earlier, the last time Gavin had pulled the breakup card.

That fight had started because I’d made a pot of seafood chowder loaded with garlic and spices at home.

I thought Gavin was still away on a business trip. I had no idea he’d come home early, roses in hand. The moment he stepped through the door and smelled the kitchen, his face darkened.

“You know I hate smells like this.”

“You can’t even consider me over something this small. Do you care about my feelings at all?”

Before I could explain, he threw my suitcase out the door.

I knocked all night, but he never opened the door.

In the end, I had to rent a temporary apartment nearby.

The next day, I sent him a long, desperate message begging him to take me back.

I begged for three straight days before his attitude finally softened.

It wasn’t the first time he’d kicked me out.

Maybe I’d lost my sense of security a long time ago. That’s why, even after we got back together, I never canceled that apartment.

I never expected it to become my escape route.

I took my prepared resignation letter to Crosswell Media.

Eight years ago, when Gavin took over Crosswell from his father, it was just a small advertising agency squeezed into an old office building in Midtown.

I’d given up the city I originally wanted to move to and started at the very bottom as a client service assistant, standing by him through the leanest years.

Now Crosswell was one of New York’s fastest-growing brand marketing firms.

But there was no place for me here anymore.

The moment the elevator doors opened, colorful confetti burst down from the ceiling with a loud pop.

I froze.

My coworkers crowded around me, still holding party poppers.

“Willa, what are you taking us out for lunch? I’ve been wanting to try that new Italian place downstairs forever.”

“Future Director Hart, you’re buying today!”

I opened my mouth to tell them the official promotion notice hadn’t even come through yet, but the elevator behind me opened again.

I glanced back.

It was Gavin and Sienna.

“Wow. Celebrating before the results are even out?”

Sienna looked at the confetti in everyone’s hands, then turned that half-smile on me.

“I told you, Gavin. Willa will do anything to get promoted, won’t she?”

Gavin’s face was cold.

He didn’t even look at me.

“Everyone to the conference area. I have an announcement.”

My core sank.

It didn’t take long for everyone to gather.

“I don’t know where certain people got the idea that they were being promoted.”

The room went silent.

Everyone looked at me.

Gavin gave a cold laugh.

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Sienna is the one being promoted to director.”

Awkwardly, my coworkers hid their party poppers behind their backs.

“Willa, you may have been here longer, but promotions aren’t based on seniority alone.”

“If staying long enough made someone a director, Dennis at the front desk would have taken over this company years ago.”

Someone couldn’t hold back a laugh.

I bit down hard on my lip.

The comments flashed past my eyes.

[Don’t be upset. The veins on the hand Gavin is hiding behind his back are bulging. He’s barely stopping himself from pulling you into his arms and comforting you. Can’t you just back down?]

[He didn’t sleep at all last night. He was waiting for your call. If you give in now, he’ll withdraw Sienna’s appointment immediately.]

[Gavin is all talk. Hold out a little longer. Tonight he’ll be at your door with roses, on his knees and begging for forgiveness. He’ll make it up to you. Don’t really leave him!]

I looked away.

If watching me humiliated in front of everyone was his way of caring, I had nothing to say.

The moment I reached my desk, Nessa brought over a file.

As soon as I understood what I was looking at, I sprang to my feet.

“What? You want me to compile all my client files for Sienna?”

The file listed not only the projects I was handling, but also required me to hand over every client contact and all unsigned contracts.

Nessa avoided my eyes.

“Mr. Cross signed the transfer order himself. I’m only here to notify you. Please don’t make this harder for me.”

I took a deep breath.

“Okay. I understand.”

But she still hadn’t left.

“Mr. Cross also said that your office gets the best natural light, so he wants you to give it to Sienna.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

Gavin had finally shown me what I’d spent the last eight years working toward.

I took off my employee badge, picked up the resignation letter I’d prepared, and walked straight toward Gavin’s office.

Just as I raised my hand, Sienna’s laughter drifted through the door.

“Gavin, does Willa send you an apology letter this long every time you threaten to break up with her?”

“‘It’s all my fault. Gav, please forgive me, okay? I’ll do anything as long as you don’t leave me—'”

Sienna laughed so hard she could barely breathe.

“Oh my God, that’s pathetic. Gavin, you must have had such a hard time with her clinging to you all these years, huh?”