Six Years as His Secret, Never His Bride

In the sixth year of my secret relationship with my boss, Ethan Wells, he suddenly announced his engagement to another woman. I sent him a message. "Do you have time? We need to talk." I'd barely hit send when someone suddenly pulled me into a secluded alcove off the hallway. I looked up and found myself pressed against a familiar chest. His scent filled my senses, and I immediately pushed Ethan away. "No. You're engaged now." But he pinned me against the wall and leaned closer. "I'm only engaged. I never said I was breaking up with you. Nothing between us has to change." I froze. Was that all I was to him? A mistress? My chest tightened, and a wave of helplessness washed over me. The strength drained from my hands as I tried to push him away. Ethan took the opportunity to seize my wrists, leaving me unable to move. Beyond the glass wall, our colleagues came and went. He didn't seem to care. He kept me pinned against the wall, and once he'd gotten what he wanted, he simply turned and walked away. I stayed hidden in the corner, straightening my collar and skirt before touching up my lipstick. Only then did I push open the door and step outside. There, I ran straight into his newly announced fiancée, Chloe Bennett, who was cheerfully handing out engagement cakes to everyone. "To celebrate the happy news, I've decided we're all getting off work an hour early today!" I stood rooted to the spot, staring at Ethan. He merely smiled, letting Chloe happily recount the sweet memories they'd shared over the years. At that moment, regret washed over me. I regretted ever agreeing to keep our relationship a secret. I regretted believing in the future he'd promised me. Most of all, I regretted turning down promotion opportunities elsewhere, time and time again, just to stay by his side. I'd spent six years putting him before myself. But my future belonged to me, not to him. And it was time I took my life back.