In the Name of the Sacred Tree

CHRISTINE'S POV

I'm sorry, but I can no longer do this anymore" And by

this, he meant our relationship.

"You've been too busy for me. You care more about your

work than you do me and I don't deserve that. So I think

it's best we end this now."

I just sat there, frozen, watching him tear my heart into

pieces with words that felt rehearsed. Every syllable

chipped away at the life we built the eight years of

memories, plans, dreams all discarded like they never

mattered.

All because I was busy.

Busy trying to be something more.

Busy chasing a dream.

I thought he understood. I thought he was different.

It's been one month since Brian walked away without a

backward glance. One month since I've had to carry thisweight on my own, pretending it doesn't crush me a little

more each day.

Work has been the only thing keeping me grounded.

DREAMSPACE has been both my burden and my anchor.

Everyone at the company has heard of the breakup by

now of course they have but no one dares mention it.

They walk on eggshells around me, whisper in corners,

but never to me.

And weirdly, I appreciate it. I'm not ready to talk about it.

Not yet.

Seven years.

Seven whole years.

We met in college, both fresh into business school, young

and idealistic. Brian was the golden boy-charming,

intelligent, confident. Every girl wanted him. And me? I

was the shy heiress, trying to hide behind my last name

and make something of myself without people saying it

was all handed to me.

I still remember the day he walked into class; styled hair,

confident stride, and that endearing smile. He lit up the

room. I knew right then I was in love.Of course, I kept my feelings to myself.

But fate had other plans. We got paired for a class project,

and one group chat message turned into a thousand.

Coffee breaks became study sessions. Study sessions

became late-night talks.

And just like that, it was the start of our relationship .

We were inseparable. Late-night diner runs, weekend road

trips and sharing our dreams and especially one of A

family together .

After graduation, I helped him secure a position at my

father's company. Everyone loved him. It felt perfect until

it wasn't.

I still don't fully understand where we began to fall apart.

I only know it happened gradually.

As I climbed the ladder in the company, my workload

grew heavier. I had to work twice as hard to be taken

seriously not just as a CFO, but as the CEO-in-waiting. I

couldn't afford to slip up. I couldn't afford to be soft. And

Brian... he started to resent that.He said I was too focused on the company. That I made

him feel like an afterthought.

But I wasn't neglecting him I was fighting for my future.

Our future.

Wasn't that worth something?