Chapter 4The Script Ends Here

That was probably the first time Preston had ever been spoken to like that. He looked like he wanted to throttle me.

I didn't care. I felt a wave of relief.

Preston stared at me for a long time. Through gritted teeth, he asked, "You’re sure about the divorce?"

I shoved the papers and a pen at his face. My resolve was the only answer he needed.

Preston’s expression shifted through a dozen emotions before he finally signed. He pressed so hard the pen nearly tore through the paper.

He didn't even look at the terms.

I raised an eyebrow. I suddenly felt like I’d lost out—if I’d known he wouldn't read it, I should have demanded more cash.

Preston stood up, radiating fury, and stormed out of the room.

"Bring your ID and the marriage license!" I yelled at his back. "I’ll see you at the courthouse tomorrow morning!"

He paused for a split second, then kept walking.

"So rude," I muttered.

The next morning, I woke up as soon as the sun hit the window.

6:00 AM.

The time made me angry.

Years of routine had wired my biological clock. No alarm, no wake-up call—I just woke up.

It was another reminder that I’d wasted my best years on a dog.

Preston Sterling, you dog!

I pulled the covers over my head, trying to go back to sleep, but it was useless.

I spent an hour tossing and turning before finally dragging myself out of bed.

After a quick breakfast and packing my bags, I headed to the courthouse.

I waited for Preston. I waited for two hours. My patience evaporated. He never showed.

I was fuming.

Preston Sterling, you absolute dog!!

I drove straight to his office.

Ethan looked like a nervous wreck when he saw me. "Mrs. Sterling, the CEO is in a meeting. Would you like to wait in his office?"

I didn't argue. I marched straight in.

I hadn't been sitting for five minutes before there was a knock, and Sunny Vance tiptoed in.

She was exactly the "sweetheart" type. Her features weren't breathtaking, but everything about her was soft and pleasing to the eye. The ultimate "damsel" aesthetic.

I could see why a man would want to protect her.

"Ma'am, here is your coffee."

Ma'am?

I tilted my head. "You don't know who I am?"

Sunny opened her big, watery eyes. "You’re Mr. Sterling’s wife."

I smiled. "Oh, so you do know. That’s interesting. Everyone in this building calls me Mrs. Sterling, but you call me 'ma'am.' Why is that? Do you have a problem acknowledging my status as his wife?"

Sunny panicked and started waving her hands, forgetting she was holding a cup of hot coffee.

Splash.

The scalding liquid poured over her hand. She shrieked in pain, her face turning white.

I stood up slowly and grabbed Preston’s blazer, which was draped over his chair, and wiped my hands with it.

"Soup yesterday, coffee today. Is your life themed around liquids?"

"With how clumsy you are, you would have been fired ten times over at my company. Preston must really love you to keep you around. How romantic."

Sunny looked like I’d slapped her. She glared at me with "brave" eyes. "Ms. Montgomery, Mr. Sterling and I have a strictly professional relationship. I admit I was clumsy today, but there is nothing inappropriate between us. Please don't slander me."

I tossed Preston’s blazer onto the floor like a piece of trash.

"Professional? Let me tell you what professional looks like. Every other secretary in this building keeps at least an arm's length from Preston. They don't bring him breakfast. They don't make him lunch. They don't sit shoulder-to-shoulder with him to eat."

"And look at you. Every woman in this department wears a professional suit, heels, and a full face of makeup. You’re in a hoodie and sneakers with a bare face. What, is there a special dress code just for you? Or are you just special?"

Sunny’s face went through several shades of red and white. She opened her mouth to argue, but I looked past her. "Did you catch all that, Preston?"

Sunny spun around. The moment she saw Preston, she immediately put on a look of "strong but wounded."

"Mr. Sterling..."

Preston looked furious as he walked toward her.

Sunny looked at him with pleading eyes.

But he didn't even look at her. He walked straight to me.

He grabbed my hand. "What happened?"

Only then did I feel the stinging pain. I looked down and saw a red splotch on the back of my hand where the coffee had splashed.

Seeing him act so concerned made me feel exhausted.

I pulled my hand away. "None of your business."

Preston’s face darkened. "What the hell happened here?"

Sunny bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes. "Mr. Sterling, it was my fault. I accidentally spilled the coffee."

Preston finally looked at Sunny’s trembling, red hand. He frowned. "Fine. Go get that taken care of."

"Ethan, go buy some burn cream."

"Yes, sir. Right away."

Sunny gave Preston one last look before turning and hurrying out of the room.

I let out a soft snort. "Bravo. A regular Romeo and Juliet scene. Am I the evil villain keeping you apart?"

Preston glared at me. "Araminta, making a scene at the hotel wasn't enough? You have to bring it to the office too?"

Despite my preparation, his words still felt like a knife. I looked at him blankly. "What, are you heartbroken because I bullied your little girlfriend? Too bad. I’m still Mrs. Sterling, which means I have every right to put a 'pick-me' girl in her place."

"If you're so worried about her, you shouldn't have stood me up. I waited at the courthouse for two hours. Where were you? No show, no call. Do you think only your time is valuable? Everyone's time is money, Preston. Be a man for once."

Preston’s face grew darker. "The courthouse? Why were you at the courthouse?"

I stared at him in disbelief. "Why? To go sightseeing? No! For the divorce!"

"Did you think we signed those papers yesterday for fun?"

That finally seemed to get through to him. I felt dizzy, my vision blurring as my knees began to buckle.

"Ara."

Preston caught me.

I slumped into his arms, shaking my head.

The vertigo passed as quickly as it came. But the scent of his cologne—the scent I used to love—made me want to vomit.

I pushed him away and gagged.

"Ara."

He tried to step forward, but I barked, "Stay back! Don't touch me. You make me sick."

Preston froze.

After a long silence, he growled, "Are you done? What is this really about?"

I felt a surge of overwhelming emotion—probably the pregnancy. I looked at him with burning eyes. "Divorce. I want a divorce. Now. Immediately."

Preston had been looking at me with fire in his eyes, but when I turned to face him, he froze. He stared at me, then slowly stepped closer and reached out.

He touched my face. I jerked away.

He looked lost. "You’re crying."

I froze. I hadn't realized I was crying.

How embarrassing.

He said, "Araminta, we need to talk."