I Saved Her, He Stole Her

My name is Joshua Donovan. Olivia Salazar and I have known each other since childhood—from the age of wearing split-crotch pants to stepping into the workplace side by side. In over twenty years, neither of us has ever been absent from the other's life. Neighbors, classmates, colleagues, even both of our parents—all took for granted that we would be each other's destiny. They always said Joshua Donovan and Olivia Salazar were a match made in heaven. I once believed this with unwavering certainty. Olivia Salazar is ambitious, wholly determined to build her own business empire. I understand her ambitions, and I am willing to be her strongest support. Over these years, I resigned from my stable job and devoted myself entirely to assisting her. Finally, thanks to my negotiations, the last key project was secured. This meant that Olivia Salazar's business empire was now fully complete. That night, after the signing was over, she held me and wept. Her tears soaked my shirt, warm and searing against my skin. "Joshua," she looked up at me, her eyes glistening, "thank you." I gently wiped away her tears and smiled, asking, "Thank you for what?" "Thank you for staying with me until now." She stood on tiptoe and pressed a light kiss to my cheek. "Let's get married in a month." My heart skipped a beat instantly. That sentence—I've waited for it for so many years. I nodded firmly and pulled her tightly into my arms. "Alright, let's get married in a month." That night, we talked at length about the details of the wedding. She wanted to wear a white wedding dress, hold the ceremony in a church, and invite everyone who had helped us. I agreed one by one, already beginning to plan contacting the wedding company in my mind. I thought the end of happiness was just within reach. But I never imagined this was only the beginning of a nightmare. Three days later, Olivia Salazar held a grand press conference. At first, I thought she was announcing our marriage, so I tidied myself up early, wanting to face the cameras with her. But she had her assistant stop me, saying there was a more important announcement at this press conference. I sat in the lounge, watching the scene unfold on the screen. Olivia Salazar wore a sharp red suit, standing on stage, radiantly brilliant. Reporters in the audience scrambled to ask questions, mostly about the follow-up plans for the last project. Olivia Salazar responded calmly until a reporter asked about her romantic life. I held my breath, hoping she would say my name. But her gaze was fixed on a man in the audience.