Working late, past midnight, I was waiting for a file to export and decided to kill time by scrolling through TikTok. The video on my screen showed a girl clutching a bouquet of flowers at an airport arrivals gate. When she saw the person she was waiting for, she launched herself into his arms. He laughed, catching her in a tight embrace. The caption read: "My rock is back." I froze. The man in the video had just wished me goodnight an hour ago. I dialed Jack’s number, my voice eerily calm. "Where are you?" The sound of loud music and laughter crackled through the phone. "Out with the riding crew," he said breezily. "You're so far away, Winnie. It gets lonely out here, they're the only ones I've got to talk to." Before I could answer, another voice cut in, "Yo, Jack, your shot! Stop slacking." 1. In the back of the cab on the way home, I couldn't resist opening the video again. There was no mistaking it. The shirt Jack was wearing—I'd picked it out myself. I scrolled to the comments. Someone had asked the girl if he was her boyfriend. She'd replied openly: *[Just my best riding buddy!] * Her profile was filled with photos from their motorcycle trips. Jack had loved riding since college. After he was transferred to the Chicago branch, he didn't know a soul. He told me he'd found a few people on a local forum to ride with. He'd never hidden any of it from me. But he never told me one of his "buddies" was a girl like this. The next morning, I grabbed the suitcase I’d already packed and headed for the airport. After landing in Chicago, I went straight to the Sterling Corporation tower. The receptionist greeted me warmly, taking my luggage. "Ms. Thorne! We heard HQ was sending a new Director of Operations. I had no idea it was you." She gave me a conspiratorial wink. "Mr. Heston is upstairs. I'll take you up." I smiled back at her, but as I stepped into the elevator, my breath hitched in my chest. Since Jack's transfer, we had been long-distance for two years. Two years of working our asses off, climbing the ladder in our respective cities. And now, finally, I was here. I could stand in his city, under the same sky. The elevator stopped smoothly on the nineteenth floor. The doors slid open, and a pair of eyes immediately locked onto me. The receptionist gestured to a beautiful young woman in a chic tweed suit. "This is Mr. Heston's new assistant, Chloe." Then she turned back to me. "And this is—" I cut her off. "I'm the new Director of Operations from headquarters, Winnie Thorne." The woman opposite me hesitated for a fraction of a second before addressing me. "Ms. Thorne." My heart, which had been fluttering with anticipation, plummeted into a black abyss. I knew that face, that voice. I’d spent the entire night staring at her profile. "Winnie? What are you doing here?" Jack's voice came from behind me. I turned. His eyes held surprise, but not a trace of joy. 2 Jack stared for a moment before rushing over. There was no joyful embrace, no warmth of a long-awaited reunion. Instead, his eyes flickered instinctively to Chloe, who stood watching us. I offered a cool smile. "Let's stick to titles at work, Mr. Heston." He flinched. "So the person HQ was sending… it really was you." He took my suitcase, muttered something about not wanting to be disturbed, and quickly ushered me into his office. He pressed his lips together, his gaze cautious. "Winnie, what's wrong? Are you upset because I went out for drinks last night and didn't tell you?" I didn't say a word. My eyes swept across his office, a space I’d seen countless times over video calls but was now entering for the first time. On his desk was a picture frame. I glanced at it, expecting to see us. But our photo was gone, replaced by a handsome shot of him on his motorcycle. He followed my gaze and cleared his throat. "Too many people come in and out of the office. I keep our photo at home now." I looked at him, a quiet weight settling between us. It had been three months since we'd last seen each other. I had imagined this moment a thousand times—would we cry? Laugh? Or just hold each other in a silent, desperate hug? I had never imagined this suffocating awkwardness. Without a word, I took out my phone and played the video. Chloe's voice, bright and carefree, filled the sterile office. A flash of panic crossed Jack's face. "Winnie, she's just a riding buddy. There's nothing going on." A wave of exhaustion washed over me. "She's also your assistant. Why did you never mention her?" "It's not what you think," he said, his voice rising with anxiety. "We met in the riding group first. We'd been on a few runs together. Her major was a perfect fit for the role, and she was looking for a job, so I offered it to her. We're just friends, that's all. Buddies." He finally stepped forward, pulling me into a belated, stiff hug. "Winnie, we've been together for five years. It hasn't been easy getting here. I cherish what we have." A sharp sting pricked my nose. He pulled back and showed me his phone. "Look, I already booked a flight to see you this weekend. I can't believe you came first. I'm so happy, Winnie. Truly." He looked so sincere, so earnest, that the accusations died in my throat. He wiped a tear from the corner of my eye and took my hand, leading me out of the office. Chloe was sitting at her desk just outside. She stood up the moment she heard the door. "Jack—" Her eyes fell on our intertwined hands, and she stopped short. Jack’s voice was firm, official. "Let me introduce you. This is Winnie Thorne, our new Director of Operations. She's also my girlfriend." Chloe's smile was strained. "Oh, the missus. I've heard so much about you." Jack's expression hardened, but there was a laugh in his voice. "Show some respect. We use titles in the office." He turned to me. "You head down to the operations department. I'll pick you up after work." I nodded and walked away. Behind me, I heard Chloe's indignant voice. "You're gonna be mean to me just 'cause your girlfriend's here? What happened to being buddies? Fine. We're not riding tonight. Or ever again!" Jack laughed and playfully smacked her on the back. "Not a chance. Ride or die, remember? We're buddies for life." My steps faltered. I practically fled the nineteenth floor. I sat in my new, empty office for half an hour, then made another call. "I'm not taking the position in Chicago. I'll come home. I'll take the arranged marriage." On the other end of the line, my brother, Bob, was stunned into silence for a moment before chuckling. "You're kidding, right? You've worked so hard to get here on your own. You're this close to getting Dad to finally approve. Why give up now?" When I didn't answer, his tone shifted. "Winnie, what is it? Did that bastard Jack do something to you?" The dam broke. A sob caught in my throat. "Bob… I'm just so confused. Whatever happens, you should probably keep an eye out for a better candidate for the Chicago job." "And, Bob?" I added, my voice trembling. "Can you do a background check on someone for me…?" 3 The Chicago skyline was a blaze of light. It was already nine o'clock. The building was nearly empty, but I hadn't received a single message from Jack. Finally, I couldn't wait any longer and called him. When he picked up, I asked tentatively, "Jack, are you still busy?" There was a pause, and then he was a flurry of apologies. "Oh god, Winnie, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot you were in Chicago. I went out to dinner with my buddies." My heart turned to ice. I looked out at the glittering neon signs. The city was just coming alive. But I had come here alone, full of courage and hope. Was this all it was leading to? Half an hour later, the door to my office flew open and Jack rushed in, out of breath. He collapsed in front of me, crouching down to look me in the eye. "I'm so sorry, Winnie. I honestly forgot. I'm so, so sorry. Hit me, yell at me, whatever you want." A three-hour flight, a full afternoon of work… I was physically and mentally drained. Before I could even speak, a figure appeared in the doorway behind him. A look of embarrassment crossed Jack's face. "I'd been drinking. Chloe gave me a ride." The will to speak completely deserted me. I just picked up my bag. "Let's go." I sat in the back seat, watching as Jack, in the passenger seat, nervously monitored Chloe's driving. "Check your mirror when you change lanes. How many times do I have to tell you?" Chloe waved a dismissive hand. "You're such an old man, Jack. God, I know, I know." They were so close, so comfortable, it was as if I wasn't even there. I finally understood. Two years of living apart had changed him. This was not the Jack I remembered. When the car stopped, Chloe offered to help with my luggage. Then, with the ease of long practice, she unlocked the door to Jack's apartment with her fingerprint. She dangled the car keys in front of him and gave him a look. Jack handed me a pair of generic gray guest slippers. But I could clearly see a pink pair tucked away in the shoe cabinet. He guided me to the sofa to rest while he bustled around, unpacking my things. Once everything was put away, he approached me, hesitating. "Winnie… I left the dinner so abruptly, I feel bad. You must be exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep? I'll just go back and show my face for a little bit, and then I'll be right back, okay?" I suddenly understood the silent message Chloe had given him with the car keys. I looked at him, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Jack, what do you take me for?" "Winnie, you're my girlfriend," he said, his voice laced with desperation. "You're the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. That has never changed." "Today was my fault, I know. But these last two years… it's not like you, back in New York with your family and friends. Chicago is a cold place. These buddies are all I have, the only people I can grab a drink with. I don't want to lose them." He took a deep breath. "We're really, truly, just buddies." I felt like all the strength had been drained from my body. "Fine. Go. Come back early." His face lit up with relief. He leaned down, pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, and rushed out the door. I stood at the window and watched as he practically jogged down the street, my tears falling without warning. Late that night, he crept into the room and gently tucked the covers around me, his lips brushing my ear in a kiss that smelled of whiskey. I stared at the ceiling, my voice quiet in the darkness. "You've been in Chicago for two years now. If you came back to HQ, you'd definitely get a promotion. Have you thought about applying for a transfer…?" I felt his breath catch, just for a second. But he didn't move. And he didn't answer. 4 Life in Chicago settled into a routine. Jack was still gentle with me. He would wait for me after work, drive me home. For a month, he turned down every social event, and he didn't go riding once. But a seed of doubt, once planted, is impossible to uproot. Chloe's TikTok account was a Pandora's box, tempting me again and again to open it, to watch the life he had lived without me. One day, Jack was driving, one hand on the wheel, the other holding his phone, a wide grin on his face. I knew what he was looking at. Their riding crew had a group chat that buzzed with activity all day long. Suddenly, he turned to me, his voice cautious. "The crew says it's been a while. They want to go for a run in the hills tonight… Winnie, why don't you come with me?" I looked at him. "Okay." His smile froze. In five years, we had done everything together, but riding was always his thing, not ours. "Well," he said, his tone unreadable, "we'll have to take it slow with you on the back. Just a scenic ride." The next second, a motorcycle roared past us. It was Chloe. "Try and catch me, old man!" she yelled, her voice carried on the wind. "If you can!" Something inside him ignited. He slammed his foot on the gas, the car lurching forward. The color drained from my face. I gripped his shirt, my voice a terrified whisper. "Jack, I'm scared…" He didn't hear me. He was laser-focused on the bike ahead, pushing the car faster and faster, weaving through the winding mountain roads. My heart hammered against my ribs, threatening to burst. When he finally pulled over, I stumbled out of the car and was violently sick. Chloe handed me a bottle of water. "Ms. Thorne, with a delicate constitution like yours, maybe you should just stay home next time." Jack was off talking to the others, barely sparing me a glance. On the way home, he finally spoke, his voice tinged with complaint. "I told you it wasn't for you. You insisted on coming." I looked down. "It won't happen again." Never again. I threw myself into my work. One afternoon, a shriek echoed through the office. My assistant, Molly, burst in, her face pale. "Ms. Thorne, the contract with Grayson Corp… they never stamped it." I shot to my feet. The entire department had worked overtime for half a month on that deal. As my team erupted into panicked chatter, I silenced them with a look. "Who gave it to you?" "It was… Mr. Heston's assistant, Chloe," Molly whispered. I stormed up to the nineteenth floor, my anger a burning knot in my stomach. I slammed the contract down on Chloe's desk. "My department worked for two weeks straight, and you're telling me now that the contract was never even finalized? How could you have missed this?" The entire floor fell silent, heads turning to watch the drama unfold. Jack came out of his office, looking surprised. He picked up the contract. "Winnie, it's a minor mistake. There's no need to make a scene." "A minor mistake?" I stared at him in disbelief. "Half a month of our work is down the drain! Mr. Heston, is this the kind of work your people do?" His face darkened. But then Chloe spoke, her voice ringing with defiance. "I know you've had it out for me from the beginning. It's my fault, I admit it. I'll resign, is that what you want?" I laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. "It is your fault. Do you have any idea how big this deal was? Can you afford to pay for this loss?" "That's enough!" Jack's voice was a whip crack. "Winnie," he said, his voice dangerously low, "you come storming up here, screaming at my staff without knowing all the facts. Don't you think that's a bit out of line?" My eyes widened. Before I could even form a reply, he continued. "You have an entire department of people. Didn't a single one of them think to double-check the document? Maybe you should focus on managing your own team, Ms. Thorne." I took a deep breath, my voice shaking with rage. "Jack, you are so biased it's unbelievable. Do you even know who you are?" He let out a sarcastic laugh. "Of course, I know who I am. I may not be some golden child favored by HQ like you, but I know that here, in Chicago, I'm the General Manager." "Now, if there's nothing else, Ms. Thorne, please leave." The office was dead silent. Everyone was watching. It was as if I was seeing him for the first time. My blood ran cold. Suddenly, the elevator doors dinged open, and a man in a sharp suit stepped out. "Who has the audacity to speak like that?" At the sound of that familiar voice, the strength I'd been clinging to finally gave out. Tears streamed down my face. Bob walked toward us. Jack's face paled. "Mr. Sterling." My brother ignored him completely, handing me a tissue. "The entire Sterling Corporation can be hers. Firing one incompetent employee is nothing." He shot a look of pure contempt at Chloe. "You can get lost. Legal will be in touch about the damages you've caused." Then, his gaze fell on Jack. "I put you in charge of Chicago, and this is how you treat my sister?" Jack’s face went from pale to ghostly white. 5 Bob’s voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority that echoed through the silent nineteenth floor. "S-sister?" The color drained completely from Jack's face. He whipped his head around to stare at me. "Winnie… you… Mr. Sterling is…?" Bob scoffed. "If it wasn't for Winnie, do you really think a kid a few years out of college would be running the Chicago branch?" I stood there, frozen. My brother's arrival had shattered the last of my composure, ripping away every last pretense. Tears rolled silently down my cheeks, not of sorrow, but of a profound, soul-crushing absurdity. I watched his face, the shock and panic warring in his eyes, the desperate plea for this to be some kind of mistake. I suddenly felt so, so tired. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "I use my mother's surname. Bob is my full-blooded brother." I met Jack's gaze as Bob’s voice cut through the air again. "My father never thought much of you. Winnie fought for you, begged him, even knelt in front of him to give you this chance." "The deal was that if you two could both prove yourselves, he wouldn't force her into the arranged marriage. He would accept you as his son-in-law." "You've been in Chicago for two years. In all that time, Winnie hasn't taken a single day off at HQ. She worked relentlessly, just for the chance to be with you sooner." Bob looked him up and down with disgust. "And what have you been doing? Living it up? Riding? Buddies? Don't flatter yourself with such pathetic excuses." He shot Jack one last cold, dismissive look, as if he were a piece of trash on the sidewalk. He put a protective arm around my shoulder, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Winnie, we're leaving." He didn't spare another glance for Jack, or for the ashen-faced Chloe. The elevator doors slid shut, cutting off the sight of Jack stumbling forward as if waking from a dream, cutting off the dead silence and the dozens of prying eyes. The polished steel walls reflected my pale, tear-streaked face. "Bob…" I choked out, my voice barely a whisper. "It's okay," he sighed, his voice softening. "The bet is over. I'll talk to Dad." So he knew. He'd known all along about my childish bet with our father. That I would make it on my own, using the name Winnie Thorne, without any help from the Sterling family. That if Jack and I could both rise to a high enough position within three years, proving our relationship wasn't based on dependence, the family would accept him, and I could escape the cold, strategic marriage they had planned. Jack’s transfer to Chicago was a test, an opportunity. I had pushed myself to the breaking point at headquarters, so close to earning my father's approval, so close to joining him here, side-by-side. I thought we were working toward the same future. How utterly laughable. All my perseverance, all my lonely courage, had just become the punchline to a cruel joke. Back at my temporary apartment, I packed my bags like an automaton. My phone screen lit up relentlessly with calls and texts from Jack. Winnie, please pick up! I'm begging you! I'm sorry, I didn't know, I swear I didn't know! Let me explain, there's nothing going on with me and Chloe! She's really just a buddy! Five years, Winnie. Are you really throwing it all away over a misunderstanding? Winnie Thorne! You played me for a fool! That last text was dripping with resentment and a bruised ego. My finger hovered over the screen, but I didn't open a single message. I calmly called my brother. "Bob, change my flight. Get me on the next plane back to New York. And I'm resigning from the Director of Operations position in Chicago." "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes," I said, closing my eyes. My voice was quiet, but firm. "I'm coming home for the arranged marriage."
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