After I Left, His Empire Collapsed Chapter 11

After I Left, His Empire Collapsed Chapter 11

My friend shot Julian a look.

“Julian. That European company? The pay and benefits destroy anything you offer here. Leaving you is the best thing that ever happened to her. Staying with you was the disaster.”

The truth was almost laughable.

Ten years I worked for Julian. He gave me one raise. Five hundred dollars. After that, my base pay was a hundred dollars more than an intern’s. My workload was ten times heavier.

He always had an excuse. The company needed cash. Stop being short-sighted. After we’re married, everything is ours anyway. What’s mine is yours. What’s there to fight about?

So I waited. Ten years. The wedding favors in my drawer expired. The invitations yellowed. No wedding.

Instead, I got his bias. His betrayal. His marriage certificate with another woman. His wedding photos with her.

And the European company? My starting salary during probation was triple what I made there. After confirmation, more than five times.

I really must’ve lost my mind. Choosing love. Giving up a future. Getting nothing back but scars.

Julian stood frozen.

Sadie’s eyes flickered. Jealousy. Sharp. She kept her voice soft.

“Vanessa. Anywhere but Europe. You know Europe is Julian’s boundary.”

Of course I knew Julian couldn’t leave the country.

That was the point. I wanted an ocean between us. No chance of looking back.