Well-spoken, attractive, and statuesque—no wonder Linda was fond of her.
Thinking back on the years I scrimped and saved with Brian, barely bothering with makeup, it was clear why he'd strayed.
Our eyes met just as Rosie looked around—there was no avoiding the confrontation now. I had to step out and greet her,
"Hi, Rosie. I'm Olivia Green, Brian's..."
"Brian's housekeeper!" Linda cut in before I could finish, clearly defining my role.
"Housekeeper?" I echoed, my voice laced with disbelief. Linda's comment left me speechless, my gaze turning to Brian for some support.
He paused, his lips quivering slightly, and managed only one word.
"Yeah."
That single, soft word felt like a boulder crushing my chest, as if it shattered something inside.
To them, after five years together, I was nothing more than a glorified housekeeper.
I'd been the carefree princess at home, never subjected to such indignity.
Remembering my father's plea five years ago to leave Brian and help with the family business at Titan Corp, I had defied them all for him.
After enduring five long years, just as Brian's career took off and I thought we'd step into marriage, he threw it all away for a new shot, allowing me to be humiliated.
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly at my own naivety.
"Sure, I've been the housekeeper for this phase. Wonder who's next?"
I headed back to my room to finish packing, leaving Linda and Brian with their scowls.
As I was packing, I heard a noise at the door—it was Rosie.
Taking advantage of Linda and Brian being preoccupied in the kitchen, Rosie quickly slipped in to exchange contact info with me.
Although puzzled, I accepted.
As I left with my suitcase, Linda and Brian were still fussing over Rosie.
It felt like clocking out of a temp job—time's up, just walk away, unnoticed.
That night, I stayed in the company dorm.
Rosie reached out to me, sensing there was more to my story than the "housekeeper" label suggested.
Wanting to save her from their influence, I laid everything out for her.
She revealed that she and Brian had met at a matchmaking event three months ago. He'd pitched himself as long-single and career-focused.
It clicked—his recent absences weren't work-related; he'd been dating. I'd been blissfully ignorant, thinking he was just busier with a promotion.
My phone displayed a photo of Brian and me, mocking my foolishness as I stared at my packed bags.