Chapter 3He Signed Our Divorce Papers as His Secretary Swallowed Deep

"Last Friday, the day you left, she wore your heels to work. I asked her why she was wearing your shoes, and she said..."

Mia choked up. "She said Mr. Hayes told her those shoes suited her, and that Ms. Hayes wouldn't mind."

She looked up, her eyes red. "Ms. Hayes, do you really... not mind?"

I looked at the girl who was feeling wronged on my behalf.

I smiled, devoid of any real emotion. "Those shoes didn't fit me anyway. If she likes them, she can have them."

Before my business trip, I had no idea these two had already gotten together.

At that time, the company was preparing to expand into new markets, and I didn't have the mental capacity to keep an eye on Julian.

Not to mention, Julian still had a steady mistress living near the company back then.

Looking at Chloe's aggressive stance, that one was probably already phased out.

"Wipe your tears," I pulled a tissue and handed it to her. "I'll be away next week. Please keep a close eye on company matters, big and small."

She paused. "Where are you going?"

I didn't answer, just looked out the window.

The sunlight was beautiful, just like that afternoon seven years ago when we got our marriage certificate.

Julian went back to the old mansion alone, kneeling on the hard ground in the study for three hours, begging for my father's approval.

"Sir, I know you don't think highly of me. But Elara believes in me, and I won't let her lose."

Although he was eventually thrown out.

But that day, my father stood by the window for a long time.

Finally, he revised Julian's flawed business plan in the study and secretly sent it to me.

These old stories, bringing them up felt like cashing in on favors, tainting true feelings with calculation.

But if I didn't...

If I didn't, he would truly believe he was a sudden genius.

He would think that all those data, connections, and funds were earned by his own merit.

Shortly after Mia left, Julian called me from his car.

"The little girl was scared by your surprise visit today," his voice was low and laced with a smile. "It'll take some time to soothe her. I'll be back late tonight. Remember to leave the door unlocked for me."

I was silent for three seconds before speaking. "Didn't we agree there'd be no kids from your games?"

A moment of silence on the other end.

"What kids?" His voice remained steady.

"Chloe going to a maternity clinic can't be for no reason, can it?"

Two seconds later, he suddenly laughed. "You're investigating her?"

"It's on the company's ledger," I replied calmly. "A half-million dollar pregnancy check-up package, processed as employee benefits. Mr. Hayes was quite generous with his approval."

He seemed genuinely unaware.

Perhaps he hadn't scrutinized the details when approving the payment.

He softened his tone, his voice coaxing.

"Elara, that was an accident! She's young and foolish, she thought getting pregnant would change something."

"So?"

"I'll handle it," he said decisively. "Don't worry, no one will threaten your position."

"Julian," I called his name.

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember," I said slowly, "how we lost our first child?"

His breathing hitched on the other end of the line.

"Alright, Elara... that's all in the past. There's no point in bringing it up repeatedly."

"Yes," I smiled, a touch of melancholy in my voice. "It's all in the past."

Including the child who never got to be born.

Including the vows he made on his knees.

Including that matter he held a grudge about all those years ago...

"Get some rest," he said. "I'll be home after I calm her down."

He hung up.

I also raised my hand, and for the first time, and the last, I added him to my block list.

Then, I replied to the message that had been waiting for me for a week:

[All taken care of. I'll be there for the wedding on time!]