After I Vanished, He Finally Realized What He Lost

Chapter 7

Jarren sat beside me, noticing my troubled expression. His concern was genuine as he asked, "Are you okay?"

On the other end of the line, Linus's voice crackled with fury. "Who are you with right now!? Why is there a man's voice? So this is why you betrayed me!?"

I didn't bother to respond. I just hung up, cutting off his relentless questioning.

Former colleagues from the orchestra occasionally sent me updates. Without hesitation, the new manager had fired Themis. The orchestra's owner had ordered her to take a leave of absence. She had once strutted around, relying on Linus's protection, but now, the entire orchestra reveled in her suspension.

As for Linus, he had mysteriously disappeared, leaving everyone guessing where he was. I had only tuned into the gossip, never expecting that he would actually track me down to my new orchestra.

As Jarren and I stepped out of the car and made our way toward the performance theater, a figure suddenly rushed toward us.

My first instinct was to protect Jarren, but when I saw who it was, my stomach dropped. It was Linus.

His eyes were bloodshot, his hair a mess, and the commanding presence he once had was nowhere to be found.

When Linus saw me standing in front of Jarren, disbelief flooded his face. "Naia, are you really protecting someone else in front of me?"

I didn't hesitate. "What else should I do? I'm Jarren's manager now. If I'm not protecting him, should I be protecting you?"

But before I could say more, Jarren gently pulled me behind him, stepping in front of me like a shield.

"Linus," Jarren said calmly, "Miss Morris has already broken up with you. As her ex, please show some basic decency."

Linus's face twisted with rage. "Ex-boyfriend? I'm her fiancé! Who do you think you are, judging me?"

He turned to me with a cold, scornful laugh. "Naia, after a decade together, you're now using another man to get back at me. You're truly heartless!"

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Fine, I admit it, you've won."

"Isn't it just about the marriage certificate? I've got my ID and paperwork ready. Let's go get it now. Afterward, you can come back with me to our country and end this ridiculous act."

As he spoke, Linus reached out to grab my hand.

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

His head snapped to the side, and for a moment, he just stared at me in stunned silence. The hurt and disbelief in his eyes were palpable, but I held my ground.

"I'm done, Linus," I said, each word cutting through the air. "This is the last time I'm addressing you seriously. Listen carefully: We are completely broken up. I'm not your manager anymore, and I refuse to return to you."

I took a deep breath, my voice firm. "From now on, we part ways."

I turned, taking Jarren's hand and heading toward the venue.

Behind us, Linus's desperate shouts echoed in the distance. "Naia! Are you really going to stay with someone so mediocre? We're the only ones who can achieve greatness together! If you don't come back now, it's over for good!"

His voice grew distant, but I didn't look back.

Once inside the venue, Jarren took my hand from behind. "Naia, trust me," he said softly. "I'll surpass him one day. A talented manager like you doesn't need him to prove anything."