He Swore He Hated Seafood, So Why Did His Lips Taste Like Oysters? - Chapter 104: Chapter 104

That night, I blocked Josh on everything.
I deleted every photo, every text, every trace of him from my life.
I crashed in a cheap motel.
I woke up at noon the next day.
All my stuff was still at his place.
I figured he'd be at work.
But the second I opened the door, he grabbed my wrist.
"You're finally back?" His eyes were bloodshot. "Blocking me? Real mature."
I wrenched my arm free.
"You found me, didn't you? Or were you too busy?" My gaze shifted to Isla, who was curled up on the couch.
"Must be nice, playing house. Just do me a favor and stop pretending you ever loved me. It's pathetic."
"Damn, did nobody ever teach you any manners?"
"Someone like her wouldn't last a day out in the real world without my brother watching her back. She'd have been put in her place by now!"
A sharp voice cut in. It was Stella, Isla's cousin. She marched out of the kitchen and shoved the diamond ring at Isla.
"Here, put it on. It's a gift from my brother."
"Stella!"
Isla blushed, stealing a glance at Josh.
When he didn't say anything, she slid the ring onto her finger.
Stella had hated me since college.
Josh always said she was "cold to everyone".
But she lit up like a Christmas tree whenever Isla was around.
I never wanted to admit it.
But deep down, I knew. To Stella, Isla was always the pre-chosen sister-in-law: her childhood friend and ultimate bestie.
Seeing me dazed, Stella snapped:
"Get your ass to work! You skipped out yesterday and completely messed up the client proposal! You either fix it, or you're fired!"
Fresh out of college, Josh started his own business. Stella wasn't the only one who helped. I was right there too.
But back then? My whole world revolved around him. I settled for being his assistant just to orbit around him 24/7.
The pay was crap, but my workload wasn't.
Plus, I'd aced my classes, this was my field. All major proposals got my final approval.
In the past, I didn't need Stella's orders. I'd jump in and nail the extra work before she even asked.
Now, I looked straight at Josh.
"You're going to let her talk to your fiancée like that?"
"And that proposal? That's not my damn job."
I'd said all that to test where I stood with Josh.
True to form, he didn't "disappoint".
Knitting his brows, he bit out:
"You said we're done. So either quit, or get out."
For seven years, Stella had thrown shade my way a thousand times over. Back then, he'd still covered for me.
But now? With Isla back in the picture? He couldn't even be bothered to keep up the act.
My heart flat-lined. "I'll go."