Seven Years Too Late: The CEO's Regret

Tags: rags to riches, ungrateful, hard launching someone else, groveling ex Seven years of building a business from scratch with my girlfriend, Chloe, culminated in our company finally going public today. Yet on this exact day, she blocked me on social media and hard-launched her relationship with her golden-boy ex on Ins. Her comments section exploded instantly. "Back then, Leo walked away from a six-figure salary just to help you start this company. Now that you've rung the bell on Wall Street, you're just going to kick him to the curb?" Chloe replied coldly. "People say beggars can't be choosers. I just didn't have options back then." "Besides, spending seven years with him only made me more certain of one thing: if I'm going to get married, it has to be with someone I actually love." Her friend tried talking sense into her. "Leo basically runs the entire company day-to-day. What happens if he walks out over this?" Chloe hesitated for a second before doubling down. "He's just an assistant. I could pull anyone off the street to do his job. The company won't crumble without him!" She had no idea that on the other side of the screen, I was logged into her shared business account, watching the "typing..." indicator flicker back and forth. I downed the rest of my iced Americano in one bitter swallow. Then, I booked a one-way flight back to my hometown for three days from now. My resignation letter was halfway out of the printer when my office door was shoved open. Chloe strutted in on four-inch stilettos. She tossed a thick folder onto my desk and commanded, "Leo, redo this entire financial report." She didn't even look at me. Her head was tilted down, glued to her phone, a faint, dreamy smile playing on her lips. I knew that smile. Back in college, whenever she received a message from Julian, that was the exact face she made. After seven years, I had almost forgotten she was capable of looking that soft. It had just never been for me. "Chloe," my voice was flat and steady. "The finance department already audited and approved this report yesterday." She finally looked up, her brows furrowing. "I said redo it, so redo it. Do you have a problem with that?" I lowered my gaze. My fingers absently brushed against the barrel of the fountain pen on my desk. It was a birthday gift from her during our first year working together. It wasn't an expensive designer brand, but she had picked it out herself. "Fine. I'll have it to you tomorrow." "I need it before you clock out today." She turned to leave, then paused as if remembering something. "Oh, and order a box of liquor-filled chocolates. Make sure they're imported from Belgium. They're a gift." My stomach tightened. "For a client?" "What's wrong, Leo? Jealous?" She arched an eyebrow, a mocking glint in her eyes. "Relax. It's for a client." "If you want some, order a box for yourself too. Expense it to the company." "No need. I cut out sugar." I kept my head down and quietly jotted the note onto my phone. Satisfied, she turned and walked away, the sharp click of her heels fading down the hall. Outside the window, the confetti from the IPO celebration hadn't even been fully cleaned off the pavement. Just yesterday, we were clinking champagne glasses together, celebrating the biggest triumph of our seven-year hustle. I genuinely believed it was the beginning of our new life together. I never imagined it would simply be the end of my one-sided delusion. At four in the afternoon, I emailed the revised report to Chloe's inbox. At five-thirty sharp, I clocked out. As I walked past her corner office, the door was cracked open. Through the gap, I saw her touching up her makeup in the mirror. Sitting on her desk was the bouquet of white roses I had ordered for her. Lush and radiant, just like the flush on her cheeks. My junior assistant, Marcus, leaned over and whispered, "Leo, is the boss... seeing someone?" The corner of my mouth twitched. "Just focus on your work." Inside the elevator, I caught sight of the thirty-year-old man reflected in the mirrored doors. The spark I once carried in my eyes had long burned out. All that remained was a bone-deep, daily exhaustion. When Chloe first started the company, I emptied my entire savings account into it. During our broke days, I didn't even have twenty bucks in my pocket. Back when we were cramped in a tiny, drafty cubicle eating instant ramen, she looked into my eyes and said with utter conviction: "Leo, we're going to make it. When we finally hit it big, I'll pay you way more than that corporate salary you left behind." I believed her. Not because I cared about the money, but because I believed that one day, she would finally look back and truly see the man who had always been standing behind her. Seven years later, the company was worth billions. And she didn't need me anymore. My phone rang. The caller ID flashed Chloe's name. "Leo, cancel tomorrow morning's meeting. I have some personal business to handle." I already knew, but I still asked, "Do you need me to arrange a car?" "No need. Julian is picking me up." Julian. The name rolled off her tongue so effortlessly. "Understood. Is there anything else you need me to prep?" "No, you..." She paused for a beat. "Just get some rest early tonight." Right before she hung up, Julian's voice drifted through the receiver. "Chloe, who's calling you this late?" "Just my assistant, wrapping up some work." Assistant. A single word that drew an impenetrable line between us.The next morning, I arrived at the office early. The resignation letter sat quietly in my drawer, waiting for the moment I finally handed it in. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Julian. *Hey Leo, heard you've been taking care of Chloe all these years. Must have been exhausting.* *She told me that if you weren't so damn competent, she wouldn't have put up with having you around for this long.* *Chloe and I are going ring shopping today, so hold down the fort at the office, will you?* I stared at the screen expressionlessly. My thumb hovered for a second, but I didn't bother typing a reply. I tapped open the zip file he attached. Inside were photos of Chloe and him taking vacations over the years. Five years ago. Three years ago. Last year. They had been in touch the entire time. While I was out drinking myself into an ulcer at corporate dinners to close contracts, they were hitting the ski slopes in the Alps. While I pulled all-nighters rewriting business proposals until sunrise, they were kissing under the Eiffel Tower. While I was hooked to an IV drip in the hospital, taking work calls with a raspy voice, they were watching the sunset on a beach in the Maldives. ... I had asked her so many times to go on a trip with me, even just a quick weekend getaway. Every single time, she would rub her temples, lean tiredly against my shoulder, and say: "Leo, I can't let my guard down right now. Let's wait until the company goes public, okay? Once that happens, I'll go anywhere in the world with you." I bought it completely. I had even secretly researched countless travel itineraries. Turns out, her annual "solo business retreats" were just romantic getaways with Julian. Staring at the screen, a dry laugh escaped my chest. Without a second thought, I pulled the resignation letter from the drawer and walked straight to HR. The HR manager looked at me in pure shock. "Leo, you've been here since day one! The company literally just went public. Why would you quit now?" "Besides, didn't Chloe say she'd grant you any wish once we hit the stock exchange? Isn't it a waste to walk away now?" It was an open secret around the office that I was hopelessly in love with Chloe. Yet she never showed an ounce of affection toward me in public and forbade me from ever crossing the line. She even demanded that we take different routes to and from work every day. Everyone assumed I was nursing an unrequited crush and was finally leaving out of heartbreak. Honestly, that was fine by me. Falling for her was my choice. Falling out of love meant I could walk away clean. As for that "wish"... I had planned on using it to propose. She used to tell me she was disillusioned with marriage and didn't see herself tying the knot anytime soon. I figured if I had waited seven years, waiting a few more wouldn't kill me. Except now, the tank was empty. I was done waiting. "Yeah, maybe it is a waste," I said calmly. "I just really need a break. Let's process the paperwork." Seeing how resolute I was, she dropped the subject and initiated my offboarding. After finishing the exit process, I headed back to the apartment. Chloe was sitting on the sofa, staring intently at a diamond ring in her hand. When she heard the door, she shoved it out of sight, clearly flustered. "You're back? Oh, by the way, I have a business trip tomorrow. Just giving you a heads-up." I set my keys on the console. "Okay." I never pushed back, and I never questioned her schedule. Just as I turned toward the bedroom, she caught my wrist. "Leo, aren't you going to ask how long I'll be gone?" I paused, surprised by the question. Usually, she just gave me an order so I'd pack her bags. Looking into her evasive eyes, I forced a faint smile. "Sorry. Long day at work. My mind's a little scattered." Her expression softened, and she suddenly leaned in to plant a kiss on my cheek. "Leo, I haven't even officially congratulated you on the IPO yet. Tell me what wish you want. When I get back, I'll make it happen." My brain screamed at me to walk away. Yet a pathetic shred of lingering hope pushed me to make one final attempt. If nothing else, consider it closure for the last seven years. I took her hand and looked straight into her eyes. "Chloe, if my wish is for us to get married, would you say yes?"She froze. Her eyes darted away, completely unable to hold my gaze. After what felt like an eternity, she forced a tight, awkward smile. "Leo, you know how I feel about this. I'm just not ready for marriage. The company just went public, and there's so much to deal with..." The answer was painfully obvious. I had set myself up for the humiliation. I masked the chill running through my veins with a bitter chuckle. "I know. Just a joke," I cut her off, not wanting to hear the same rehearsed excuses. It wasn't that she didn't want to get married. She just didn't want to marry *me*. The realization felt like a dull blade sawing through my chest over and over again. I should have seen it long ago. The way she always refused to take photos with me. The way she never introduced me to her family. The way she insisted on calling me her assistant in front of everyone. The breadcrumbs had always been there. I had simply chosen to be blind. "So, what do you actually want?" She seemed visibly relieved, rushing to add, "More equity? A massive bonus? Name it, anything." I shook my head. "We'll talk when you get back." I walked into the bedroom and began packing luggage. Her suitcase, and mine. My phone chimed with back-to-back texts. Unsurprisingly, it was Julian. *Leo, Chloe's leaving tomorrow. Make sure you pack the new outfits I bought her today.* *Pretty good taste, right? She looks ten years younger in them.* *You know, maybe you should leave buying clothes for your boss to me from now on. You're clearly not as capable as they say—at least when it comes to keeping a woman.* Almost all of Chloe's wardrobe over the years had been styled and bought by me. Sure enough, opening the closet, I saw several brand-new designer pieces. In the pocket of one of the coats, my fingers brushed against an unopened box of condoms. I knew Julian had orchestrated this just for me to find. A petty victory lap. I didn't take the bait. I simply blocked his number. Then, I went back to packing the last of my belongings. Seven whole years, and my possessions were shockingly sparse. Everything fit into a single duffel bag and a carry-on suitcase. Just like my place in Chloe's life—easily erased in minutes. My hands paused when I reached the few custom suits she had bought for me. Last year, right before our annual company gala, she had actually taken the time to accompany me to a fitting. "Leo, you look really handsome in this," she had said with a warm smile, stepping in to adjust my tie with her own hands. Looking back, it was nothing more than an executive throwing a bone to her most valuable subordinate. It had nothing to do with the tenderness I had imagined. Just as I zipped up my suitcase, her voice drifted in from the study down the hall. She was on a phone call. "Chloe, are you seriously going to propose to Julian tomorrow? What about Leo? Can you really just let him go?" "Of course I can't. That's why I need all of you to keep your mouths shut. Don't let him find out." "Look at you, having your cake and eating it too. Holding onto your first love while keeping your reliable workhorse on a leash." "He's not a workhorse, but he doesn't compare to Julian. Besides, he'd never leave me." ... My feet felt glued to the floorboards. I stood there, listening to the woman I had loved for a decade dismiss my entire existence with casual arrogance. No affection. Just pure convenience and condescension. She talked for a long time, and I listened to every word. Each syllable carved into my chest until the pain turned entirely numb. An old photo slipped out from a book on my nightstand. It was from college. I was standing next to Chloe, grinning like an idiot. Her eyes, however, were staring past the camera lens, searching for something in the distance. Now I knew. She was looking for Julian. Even back when Julian was studying abroad, even when I stayed by her side through every tear and every struggle... Not for a single second had her heart ever belonged to me. I tossed the photograph into the trash can. Along with seven years of my youth and my devotion. The next morning, when I woke up, Chloe was already gone. On the dining table lay a post-it note: *Leo, wait for me to come home.* I picked up the note, crumpled it into a tight ball, and dropped it into the wastebasket. Grabbing the handle of my suitcase, I stood by the front door and took one final look around the space we had shared. From a cramped studio apartment to this luxury penthouse, I had genuinely believed we were building a home together step by step. Only now did I realize it had been my solitary delusion all along. My phone lit up with a text from Chloe. *Leo, I left the client's gift on the nightstand. Find it and courier it to this address, please.* I didn't need to check to know she was talking about that diamond ring. I called an express courier to deliver the ring to her destination. Then, I hailed an Uber to the airport. On the highway, I sent Chloe one final text: *Chloe, we're done. Let's break up.*