Chapter 127 The Devil
ANNA'S POV
As I slid the last set of documents neatly into the drawer beneath my desk, I glanced at the clock on the wall before letting out a small, humorless scoff.
So she quit.
Well, that was unexpected.
I honestly didn’t think she would. From the way she had looked earlier — tired eyes, desperation barely hidden behind forced politeness, I had assumed she needed the money badly enough to tolerate whatever I planned to put her through. I thought survival would matter more to her than pride.
Guess her ego is still bigger than her bank account.
I tapped my fingers lightly against the desk, staring at nothing in particular as the thought settled. Was I sad that she quit?
No.
Disappointed? Maybe.
I had been looking forward to it — watching her struggle, giving her a small taste of the humiliation and helplessness she once handed to me without blinking. I wanted her to feel what it was like to swallow anger and keep smiling because walking away wasn’t an option.
But now she was gone, and that opportunity disappeared with her.
Well… life was already punishing her financially. Maybe that was enough. Still, if fate ever decided to throw us into each other’s paths again, I wouldn’t hesitate. Not even for a second. I would show her exactly what hell looked like.
I shook my head lightly, pushing the thought aside.
Right now, I have more important things to worry about.
Like how to get Ryan to stop blowing up my phone.
My phone buzzed on the desk again, vibrating against the table like it had a mind of its own. I didn’t even need to look to know who it was from. He had been doing this all day — message after message, missed calls piling up like they were supposed to guilt me into responding.
Couldn’t he take the hint?
If he had that much energy, he should redirect it to his ex. Since he clearly couldn’t stay away from her.
Just then, my phone buzzed again.
Speak of the devil.
I exhaled slowly, reached for the phone, and turned off the screen without checking the notification. The silence that followed felt temporary, like a pause before another wave of annoyance.
This was the stress that came with liking someone.
When James broke up with me and I was single, my life was simpler. I didn’t overthink every situation. I wasn’t constantly questioning motives or replaying conversations in my head. I was focused. Driven. Working toward my goals without emotional distractions pulling me in different directions.
That was exactly why I hadn’t wanted to let Ryan get this close.
I knew something like this would happen.
Men were all the same species, no matter how differently they packaged themselves. Cheating, lying, sneaking around — it was in their nature. So why was I even surprised?
I stood up from my chair and grabbed my purse from the side of the desk. As I slipped it onto my shoulder and reached for my phone to drop it inside, my eyes caught one of Ryan’s messages before I could stop myself.
‘It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s a big misunderstanding. Just give me a chance to explain everything.’
I scoffed quietly.
That’s what they all say.
Even when they’re caught red-handed, there’s always a “misunderstanding,” always an explanation carefully crafted to twist the narrative in their favor. I locked my screen and shoved the phone into my purse, refusing to give the message any more power over my mood.
Just then, my office door opened.
Dan walked in, already loosening his tie, his expression relaxed like he was ready to be done with work for the day.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I replied, grabbing my keys and walking toward the door.
As we stepped into the hallway, the thought resurfaced, and I decided to voice it. “Bella quit.”
Dan stopped walking and turned to look at me, eyebrows lifting slightly. “Already?” He let out a small laugh. “I thought she’d last at least a month. Guess she couldn’t handle the heat and you hadn’t even started.”
“Exactly,” I said, pressing the elevator button. “Either way, she’s an old chapter now. Talking to her today just got me fired up. I want to get home and rest.”
My phone buzzed again inside my purse, as if mocking my words.
“Apparently your friend won’t allow that,” I added dryly as the elevator doors slid open.
We got into the car a few minutes later, and as Dan pulled out of the company gates, he glanced at me briefly.
“You really want to hear my opinion on this?” he asked.
“Sure,” I replied, surprised by my own answer.
Usually, Dan didn’t push when it came to my personal life, especially when he could tell I wasn’t in the mood. But now that he was offering to speak, I wanted to know what was on his mind.
“Well,” he started carefully, eyes still on the road, “since you’re no longer emotional, I think you overreacted.”
I turned to him sharply, shock flashing across my face.
That was new.
Dan almost always took my side, or at the very least stayed neutral. Hearing him say that felt like a small betrayal or worse, like he was siding with Ryan.
“I overreacted?” I said slowly. “After I saw another woman, his ex, at a place he told me I was the only one he’d ever taken there?”
“I don’t want it to seem like I’m taking Ryan’s side,” Dan said quickly. “I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m just saying what I honestly think. I’ve known Ryan for years. I know what he’s capable of in relationships, and I’ve never seen him cheat. I don’t know why his ex was there, but I think you should at least hear his side of the story.”
“The last time I decided to hear my man’s side of the story,” I said, my voice tightening, “I was humiliated in public. And that scar still follows me till today. So you can’t blame me for blocking him out.”
“I understand,” Dan said, nodding. “But Ryan isn’t like James or your other exes. I can vouch for him. He’s different. Just hear him out.”
I crossed my arms and stared out the window. “It’s not like he’s here for me to listen to him, so why do you keep pressing this?”
“In case he calls again,” Dan said calmly, “or asks to meet you. Promise me you’ll hear him out.”
I sighed deeply.
If I refused, I’d look like the villain in this story. And truthfully… a small part of me wanted to hear what he had to say. Not because I believed him but because I wanted closure.
“Fine,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I promise.”
“Thank you,” Dan replied, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
When we finally got home, I stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door. As soon as I pushed it open, a familiar scent hit my nose.
My steps slowed.
That perfume.
I knew it.
My brows furrowed as I inhaled again. Was my mind playing tricks on me or was that Ryan’s perfume lingering in the air?
I shook my head slightly, brushing the thought aside. There was no way. I walked deeper into the living room, ready to greet my parents.
Then I froze.
They weren’t alone.
Two other people were sitting there.