The Loser Ex Who Secretly Ran Your Empire

It was the tenth anniversary of our relationship.

My fiance, Veronica Brook, had just posted a photo album in the company's work chat. They were engagement photosof her and her assistant.

The caption read: [Thanks for all the well wishes, guys. Weve done the shoot, can the wedding be far behind?]

I didn't lose my mind. I didn't call her, screaming. I simply posted a calm comment: [Wishing you both a blessed life together.]

The very next second, her call came through. Her voice was ice-cold, instantly accusing.

"We were just taking some relaxed photos, Leo. Did you have to be so sarcastic?"

"The entire company is watching! You're deliberately trying to humiliate him, aren't you? You need to write a handwritten apology to Jordy right now! Or I'm calling off the wedding!"

I let out a cold laugh.

"I quit. No one is going to bother your little love nest with him ever again."

...

After commenting on my fiance's social media, I turned off my phone and got back to my work.

When I finally finished the task at hand, I noticed Veronica had called me dozens of times.

It was almost comical, considering she was a woman who could easily go months without a single text or call to me.

I frowned, hanging up on her latest incoming call.

The next moment, my messaging app exploded:

[Leo Chad, are you serious? It was a joke. Who are you giving the silent treatment to?]

[Didn't you hear me? Apologize to him immediately, or you can watch me cancel our wedding!]

In the past, the mere mention of canceling the wedding or breaking upher ultimate threatwould have instantly turned me into a groveling doormat, begging for her forgiveness.

But not this time. Not anymore.

I typed a few characters onto the screen.

[Suit yourself.]

The messages stopped. I figured Veronica was probably so enraged shed thrown her phone across the room.

A few minutes later, I checked her profile again.

Every trace of me, our photos, our couple profile pictureall gone. Her cover photo was a solid block of black.

Her latest post, just a minute old: [It's exhausting having the wrong people in your life.]

I smiled. She'd been pulling this passive-aggressive card for years. I was finally bored of the performance.

Just as I was about to exit the app, a notification popped up. Id been tagged.

It was Jordy Yu. He had screenshotted my comment in the work chat and posted it to his own feed with a weepy-eyed emoji.

[This is all my fault for being insensitive and making a joke like that. I publicly apologize to Leo, please don't let this cause a fight between you and Veronica.]

The post was clearly designed for my benefit. I frowned, ready to type a blistering reply, but Veronica beat me to it.

Her comment was already pinned: [Some pathetic losers lack the capability to achieve anything and then project their insecurities onto others. Don't worry about it, sweetie. Ill always stand by you.]

Wow. My fiance publicly took engagement photos with another man. And I was supposed to just stand there and take the abuse.

That dream was getting a little too big for my sanity.

The work chat, meanwhile, was an absolute dumpster fire.

Everyone was scrambling to kiss Veronica's ass:

[Vee, don't be upset. Everyone here sees and understands your and Jordy's relationship. We know you have nothing to hide!]

[Exactly! Some people have a sick mind, trying to publicly shame a colleague. Shameless!]

That last comment was quickly made a pinned announcement. Veronica clearly agreed.

Ten years of commitment, all to lead to this. It was meaningless.

She knew how much those engagement photos meant to me. After months of pleading, she'd finally agreed to go with me that day. But we hadn't even been there five minutes when she claimed Jordy had a stomach ache and rushed off to bring him medication, leaving me stranded.

I waited alone in that boutique bridal shop until midnight.

She never showed.

In the past, I would have absolutely lost it in the group chat. But now, I offered a simple, gracious blessing, and she still found a way to spin it as a deliberate act of spite against Jordy.

It confirmed what I already knew: when someone wants to hate you, everything you do is a flaw.

I rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the dull ache.

My phone rang.

"Mr. Chad, your appointment for the marriage license is tomorrow. Please remember to bring your documentation."

I froze. Right. Tomorrow was the day Veronica had promised we'd finally get married.

But now... I couldn't do it.

"I'm sorry," I said, "please cancel that for me."

The staff member sounded slightly surprised. "Sir, you've reserved this time slot many times. Canceling again might put you on a permanent blacklist."

I repeated without hesitation. "Cancel it."

She was right. Veronica had given me countless promises. And every time, I had played the fool, waiting for her outside the courthouse.

Every time, I was disappointed.

The third time, Jordy's apartment supposedly lost power, and she rushed off to change a lightbulb for him. The seventh time, he was grazed by a car while crossing the street, and she spent the day at the hospital with him, playing the attentive nurse. The twelfth time, she didn't even bother with an excuse, simply claiming she had to use the restroom and then vanishing.

I knew, deep down, every cancelation was a date with Jordy. But I loved her, so I chose to play deaf and dumb, time and again.

I genuinely believed my endless patience would eventually earn her respect or understanding.

I was wrong. It only emboldened her, allowing her behavior to become increasingly reckless.

If this was the outcome, then the relationship was over.

I walked aimlessly until I found myself in front of a familiar storefronta high-end men's boutique I used to frequent before we met. They specialized in custom-tailored Italian suits, and I used to pick up a new one almost every week.

But ever since I started dating Veronica, I'd put every spare penny into her. My clothes now were years out of date.

Id sacrificed my own needs for hers, only to be thrown away like trash. I let out a bitter sigh and walked up to the counter, pulling out my membership card.

"I need two custom suits, please."

The associate politely took the card, then frowned and handed it back, looking apologetic.

"Sir, there seems to be insufficient funds on your account."

"That's impossible," I said, shocked. "The last time I checked, there was nearly a hundred thousand left."

The clerk pulled up the transaction history. "It was your wife who made the purchases, sir. She ordered several new custom sets. Here's the record."

Seeing the size chart, the names of the styles... it all clicked into place.

No wonder the account was empty. Veronica had been using my card to buy custom-made clothes for Jordy. I remembered seeing him around the office, thinking how familiar his clothes looked.

They were doing this in the open, utterly shameless.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the store.

I hadn't even reached my car when Veronicas call came in.

"Where are you? Get to the office right now. Jordy isn't feeling well, you need to handle his client meeting tomorrow."

She immediately sent over a thick stack of commercial reports.

I didn't even open the file. I deleted it.

Jordy was "sick" every other week, especially when a task required real effort. And every time, the work inevitably fell into my lap. I would pull all-nighters, pushing myself to the point of exhaustion, dark circles under my eyes making me look like a panda.

And Veronica never once showed gratitude. In fact, if I didn't perform perfectly, she'd chew me out mercilessly.

I was quitting. I had no patience for her bad habits anymore.

"Can't he handle it himself? He has hands and feet. We're all adults. Why should someone else pay for his incompetence?"

Veronica was stunned. Every time she had issued an order, no matter how much I inwardly protested, Id never dared to refuse. Now, I was not only disagreeing, but I was being harsh.

Just as she was about to explode, Jordys voice, soft and wounded, cut in.

"Forget it, Vee. My problems shouldn't burden Leo. It's my fault for always getting sick."

Instantly, Veronica's tone transformed into a gentle, soothing one Id never heard directed at me. "Don't worry, I won't let you be overworked. You should rest when you're sick, darling."

The next second, her impatience returned, aimed squarely at me.

"I'm giving you this job because it's an opportunity for growth! Do you know how many people would kill for this project? Don't be ungrateful!"

The familiar manipulation was hilarious to me now. If it was such a great opportunity, why didn't she give it to her precious Jordy?

I recalled a time when I had a crippling fever, barely able to speak, and Id begged her for a single day off.

Her response?

She called me lazy, a faker, and threatened to fire me if I dared to call out sick. I was only finally allowed to leave the office when I passed out at my desk.

"Well, then. You should give Jordy the chance to grow, too. Good luck to him."

Veronica's anger intensified. "What is that attitude? I'm telling you! I haven't forgiven you for what you did in the work chat the other day. Are you trying to break up with me?"

There it was again. The threat of abandonment.

In her mind, my love for her was her ultimate weapon. She could command me, dismiss me, and never consider my feelings.

But I was too tired to coddle her.

"Sure. I agree."

Veronica, who had been brimming with smug certainty, shrieked.

"Do you know what you're saying?! Youre breaking up with me!"

"Who else would even want a loser like you?!"

Jordy quickly chimed in. "Come on, Leo. You can't joke about this. I know you're upset about the engagement photos, but you can't treat Vee like this!"

"It's my fault for getting sick. I'm the one who caused this unhappiness..."

Veronica pounced on that opportunity. "Leo Chad, what do you want? You've been causing trouble for days. Are you ever going to stop?"

I didn't answer. I leaned back against the sofa, wondering what other audacity she could possibly dredge up.

When I remained silent, Veronica took a deep breath. "Listen to me. This report is urgent. Jordy has to close the deal tomorrow."

"If you rewrite the report, I'll marry you right now. How about that?"

So, marriage was merely a bargaining chip she used to manipulate me.

I laughed, the sound hollow, and hung up the phone.

While packing up my things at the apartment, I accidentally knocked over a delicate ceramic doll displayed in a cabinet. Veronica adored it; she would sit at her desk and meticulously arrange it for ages. I once reached out to touch it, and she screamed, swatting my hand away.

"Don't touch it with your filthy hands!"

I retracted my hand, embarrassed.

Watching the doll shatter into a pile of white fragments, my heart tightened. Though I resented Veronica, I never wanted to destroy her things.

I knelt to pick up the pieces, but noticed something underneatha photograph.

I carefully lifted it. The image on the back made my vision swim.

It was a candid, intimate photo of Veronica and Jordy. They were arm-in-arm, bathed in the setting sun, their smiles wide and brilliant.

A small inscription was written below: [My Heart's True North, Jordy.]

Her beloved toy, the one she cherished so much, represented another man. And I, the fool, had even brought her snacks while she sat and admired it.

I truly was an idiot.

This relationship had been rotten to the core for a long time.

If Jordy was her "Heart's True North," what was I?

A necessary placeholder? A convenient meal ticket?

I'd been disillusioned for a while, but realizing all my years of effort were nothing but a punchline still stung. The grief was a sudden, sharp ache in my chest.

When we first got together, we had a sweet, consuming love. Veronica was completely focused on me. If I desired something, she'd move mountains to get it for me. We traveled the world, took countless happy pictures, and were the model couple among our friends.

But everything changed when Jordy showed up.

She started by complaining about himhow clumsy he was, how he messed up simple tasks, how he was a constant inconvenience. Yet, her lips always curved upward when she talked about him. I felt a flicker of unease, but trusting her, I chose not to interfere.

I never imagined my generosity and trust would lead to this betrayal.

I packed every last thing that was mine. I took one final look at the apartmenta place built on my hopes and hard workand walked out for good.

That night, just as I was drifting off to sleep, my phone received a picture message.

The photo showed Veronica, looking flushed and wearing very little, nestled into a man's embrace, smiling coyly.

The accompanying text: [Your fiance is being well-cared for. Rest easy.]

It was a blatant taunt.

If I'd seen this a day earlier, I might have crumbled. But now, I saw it for what it was: trash. I deleted the message, blocked the number, and then slept like a baby.

It felt so good not to have to go to the office.

But I wasn't going to coast for long. I reached out to an uncle who owned a firm in a different sector, completed my onboarding, and started fresh. Everything was going smoothly. Even the air on the drive home felt clean.

That feeling lasted until I ran right into Veronica and her circle.

Veronica's best friend, Sallyt, who usually gave me the cold shoulder, was beaming at Jordy.

I still vividly remembered the last time Id seen her. Shed deliberately ordered ten thousand dollars worth of food to test me, then, after I paid, openly mocked me for living beyond my means. Veronica hadn't stopped her; shed chimed in with, "He just loves to show off, what can I do?" Theyd laughed together, ignoring my humiliation.

I had foolishly wondered if I had done something wrong. Now, seeing Sallyt's sycophantic smile, I finally understood. Even if Id spent a million dollars on that dinner, she wouldn't have respected me. In her eyes, I was simply a guy sponging off Veronica.

Sallyt happily accepted a gift Jordy handed her, grinning ear to ear. "You are so generous, Jordy! So much better than that cheap waste who uses women's money to pretend he's a big shot. Vee, you two should just get married!"

Veronica giggled and lightly shoved her. "Don't be ridiculous. We're just friends."

Sallyt raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Who are you trying to fool? I saw you two kissing in the movie theater! You think that's 'just friends'?"

I inhaled sharply.

They were that brazen? Kissing openly in public? Did Veronica have any respect for me, her fianc?

Even more galling, the gift Jordy had just handed over was purchased with my card. Id just gotten a new charge notification on my phone.

Who was the "cheap waste" now?

The company Veronica was so proud of was a venture I had practically built from the ground up. While she was out shopping, watching movies, and getting manicures, I was at business dinners drinking until my stomach bled, groveling for investments.

And now, she was enjoying the fruits of my labor while letting her friend insult me.

"That loser is going to throw a fit if he hears that," Veronica sighed dramatically. "But what can I do? Im stuck with him like a bad rash."

Stuck with me? She needed to remember who gave her the status and wealth she enjoyed today.

Sallyt pouted. "You're too kind, Vee. That useless boyfriend adds nothing to your business and isn't nearly as presentable as Jordy. You'd be crazy to marry him!"

Veronica sighed again. "What choice do I have? You know how dramatic and extreme he is. If I break up with him suddenly, I'm afraid of what he might do."

I laughed.

She was just reluctant to let go of the financial benefits I provided. And yet, in her telling, I was the desperate one clinging to her.

I didn't need to stay and listen to any more of this charade.

As I turned to leave, I accidentally bumped into a passerby, and I apologized profusely. The small disturbance drew the trio's attention.

Jordy covered his mouth in mock surprise. "Leo? What are you doing here?"

Veronica frowned and then, catching sight of my slightly rumpled clothes, she sneered. "Who gave you permission to stalk me?"

I was stunned. I instinctively shot back, "Are you kidding me? I have nothing better to do than stalk you?"

Jordy quickly jumped in. "Leo, don't talk to Vee like that. I know you're upset about seeing me, I'll leave right away. I don't want to cause her any more distress..."

He looked at Veronica, a perfect picture of an abused puppy.

I couldn't take it anymore. I slapped him, hard, across the face.

Veronica's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you insane?! You hit him! I swear, Im going to"

"Veronica Brook, we're breaking up." I looked her right in the eye and spoke the words calmly.