"Yes, she went for an abortion. I saw her coming out of the gynecology department. What a slut. No wonder Sandra's always harsh on her."
"She's a real-time whore. Bet she seduced the manager too."
"Maybe she's even pregnant."
Their voices were like daggers, loud enough to cut, low enough to mock. I clenched my fists.
"Aren't you afraid that one of the men I'm seducing might take your jobless lives away? Get lost and stop disturbing those of us whose time is actually precious."
My voice didn't shake. Not this time.
The room fell silent.
For once, I wasn't the quiet girl shrinking under their bullying. I was fire and they didn't know what to do with it.
I returned to my desk, ignoring their stunned stares.
I used to take every insult, every blame, just to earn money to save my mother.
But she's gone now.
And I won't bend anymore.
After work, while checking out for the day, I saw Mr. Handsome the man I once bumped into. At least I didn't crash into him again. Maybe that day really was cursed.
He walked toward me with a gentle smile and extended his hand.
"You dropped this," he said, holding out a familiar necklace.
"You were rushing to catch a taxi that day. I figured you'd want this back."
My eyes welled up with tears.
"Thank you… I've been searching for it everywhere," I whispered.
What I couldn't say was: I thought it was lost the night I was raped.
But instead, I just forced a smile, took the necklace, and nodded.
It was my mother's gift the only part of her I had left.
The company was hosting a major project showcase.
All designers were present. Mine was chosen, first place.
It would be displayed on the most prestigious shelf in R&A's elite collection.
Everyone congratulated me. I smiled… but not genuinely. While the boardroom filled with laughter, snickers, applause.
I should've felt proud. But my heart was too broken.
The only person who would've truly celebrated with me is gone.
If only I knew… someone was truly rooting for me and watching.
The award came with a massive promotion.
Not only did my salary deduction get reversed, but I earned five times more than before.
It brought tears to my eyes.
If only my mother was alive to see this…
I dropped my resignation letter that very day after I got home.
I couldn't stay.
The office, the city, even the streets — everything haunted me.
Elvin's POV
I was assigned to R&A's local branch to review designs and oversee promotions.
Evaluate, Promote the worthy. Let go of the weak.
That was the job.
As the assistant to Mason Joel, the founder of R&A and one of Q City's elites, I had to stay sharp.
I woke up with my usual pounding headache, dressed, and made my way to the company.
Then I saw her.
The most beautiful, curvaceous woman I've ever seen.
But this wasn't just about looks, there was something haunting in her eyes.
Something that made her unforgettable