Where the Snow Melts

Kerwin called me in the dead of night, asking me to bring over ultra-thin condoms.

When he saw my rain-soaked clothes, his voice turned low and rough.

Damn, who told you to be so obedient?

I handed the bag to Kerwin. The 0.01mm you wanted.

As he took it, his calloused thumb deliberately brushed against my knuckles, his eyes teasing.

She's not here yet. Why don't we test them out first?

I froze, and he chuckled softly.

Just kidding.

I've set you up on a blind date next Wednesday. You've been with me for years. I don't want you to feel shortchanged.

You'll go, right?

His tone was casual, but his eyes held a subtle pressure.

He wasn't worried about me feeling shortchanged.

He just didn't want his ex-girlfriend finding out about us when she returned.

My fingers curled tightly.

I forced myself to sound calm. Okay, sir,just send me the address.

Noticing my use of sir, he frowned slightly, but only for a second.

My wet clothes were icy, and a shiver wracked my body.

"I should go," I stammered, my teeth nearly chattering. "It's late."

Wait.

Kerwin walked into the living room and returned with a Burberry scarf.

He wrapped it tightly around me, leaving only my damp eyes visible.

His fingers lingered near the collar, his gaze dark and intense. Stay tonight.

I hesitated. But isn't someone else coming

He cut me off, tapping my head lightly. You actually believed that crap? You think I'm some kind of manwhore?

All these years, has there been anyone but you?

As Kerwin held me in bed, his voice whispered in my ear.

This is the last time.

Chloe is coming back.

"I don't want her getting suspicious. So, you'll be a good girl and go to that event.

Finally,that is the truth.

Angry, I bit his shoulder hard.

Kerwin's stamina was unreal.

The whole men peak at twenty-five thing didn't apply to him.

Dawn was tinting the sky before he finally ended things and headed to the shower.

While the water ran, I picked up my clothes and slipped into the spare bedroom.

It was our unspoken rule.

Kerwin was a light sleeper and hated sharing his bed.

So, for five years, no matter how exhausted I was, I'd drag myself out afterward.

The next day, I woke up past nine.

Rushing downstairs, I ran into Kerwin returning from his workout.

He wore a white tank top, muscles defined and strong.

I asked Maria to save you breakfast.

I waved my hand. I'm gonna be late for work. I need to catch the subway.

Kerwin raised an eyebrow. I can drive you.

Putting on my shoes, I blurted out, No.

The promotion results come out today. If my coworkers see me getting out of the boss's car, no one will believe I earned it fairly.

He paused while opening his water bottle.

The air went still.

After a moment, he scoffed. Suit yourself.

Before I left, Kerwin handed me a business card.

A potential candidate for you. For next week's event.

My mind went numb, dragging me back to reality.

Last night's intimacy had almost made me forget why I cameto end our five-year arrangement.

I didn't want him thinking I'd cling to him.

I took the card.

My nose felt stuffy. "I'll go," I murmured.

I always spent weekends at Kerwin's place.

At first, I'd lug around bags of clothes and skincare.

He found it annoying, so he had a vanity built for my things.

This time, I took everything with meeven the pink slippers by the door and the pajamas in the closet.

Kerwin leaned against the doorframe, watching silently, his expression unreadable.

When I finished, I said goodbye.

From now on, we're just boss and employee.

He smirked. Don't worry. I won't make things difficult for you.

I barely made it to the office by ten.

My coworker, Becca, bought me coffee.

Sophia, congrats in advance! Don't forget us little people when you're the department head.

I smiled shyly. The results aren't out yet.

She rolled her eyes. Stop being modest. You've been here the longest and handled the biggest projects.

Everyone knows how hard you've worked.

You've earned this promotion.

I gave in. If I get it, I'll treat everyone to the best sushi in Chicago!

The office cheered.

With three minutes to ten, I must have refreshed my email a hundred times.I was so nervous I made three trips to the bathroom.

Then the email loaded.

We regret to inform you that your promotion has been denied

My mind went blank.

Coworkers crowded around, and the office fell silent.

HR director Diana walked in with a smile, breaking the tension.

Meet Chloe, our new department head. She's a master's graduate and Kerwin's choice for the role.

I looked up. My breath hitched.

The woman wore a crisp white suit, her hair tied back, neck slender and pale.

She looked exactly like the photo I'd seen in Kerwin's wallet.

It felt like a sudden, severe illness. My head was stuffed, my thoughts sluggish.

Somehow, I made my way to Kerwin's office, wiping tears as I went.

People stared, but I didn't care.

I knocked, and his cool voice answered.

Come in.

Tears fell as I stood there. Why?

He didn't look up from his papers. Why what?

My voice cracked. There were other positions. Why did Chloe have to take mine?

He finally glanced at me, calm as ever. She wanted the role.

Because she wanted it, you can just threw away five years of my hard work?

He knew I'd taken assignments no one else wouldeven contracted malaria abroad.

Kerwin stood, looking down at me with icy eyes. Sophia, this is reality.

I'm in charge here. I make the calls.

My voice shook. I just wanted fairness. Is that too much?

He laughed softly. Fairness?

You are talking me about fairness?

"Get this straight," he leaned in, his breath cool against my cheek. "If you hadn't slept with me, with your average college degree, you wouldn't have even passed the resume screening at Crown Inc.

Why don't you ask the Ivy League grads who interviewed with you if they wanted fairness?

You enjoyed the perks that came with my influence without a word. Now you have the nerve to demand fairness from me?

His words slapped me.

My face burned, and every breath hurt.

I finally understood.

No matter how hard I worked, I'd always be the girl who got in because of Kerwin.

I had no right to ask for fairness.

So, I decided to quit.