Ethan suddenly grew angry, his face flushing with embarrassment.
“Are you done causing trouble? Or do you really think Vanessa can replace you in my heart?”
Vanessa—that intimate name, stung like a sharp knife.
For the past ten years, I have given everything to our family and the company. But it seemed he hadn’t noticed a thing.
I nodded slowly, a bitter smile curling on my lips. “Alright. If none of this has anything to do with me anymore, then let’s get a divorce.”
From the day we met until now, I have never once brought up breaking up or divorce during an argument. I’ve always been rational—never treating such things lightly. But this time, the thought surfaced, gripping my heart tightly. Maybe, for once, I was allowing myself to be childish.
I caught a flicker of regret flash across Ethan’s face. I knew he still cared for me.
But instead of holding on, Ethan sneered after only a moment’s pause. “Divorce? Don’t be ridiculous. How could you live without me?”
“If our family hadn’t agreed to this marriage, you’d probably still be sweeping streets somewhere, right?”
That was his usual tactic whenever we argued—belittling me for marrying into wealth, mocking my abilities, and worth.
In the past, I’d felt inferior because of it. But this time, something was different.
“It doesn’t matter. Even if I did sweep streets, it wouldn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Claire!” Ethan shouted, his glare sharp enough to turn heads. Employees outside the office stopped what they were doing and stared.
In the company, except for the R&D team I lead, most people regarded me with suspicion. Being labeled a gold digger felt harsh, like calling me shameless.
I’d grown used to it, tolerating it all for my husband’s sake. But now I realize—blind tolerance only made him bolder and more aggressive.
Suddenly, his tone softened, and his gaze became gentler.
“Vanessa, I know it’s hard for you to accept this. But believe me, from now on, it will be just you and me. No other women.”
I didn’t know the real story between him and Vanessa, but I wasn’t a fool.
Seeing their intimate moments in the car, right from the street below, I knew it wasn’t just business.
Yet, here he was, looking at me with tears in his eyes. Was his reluctance to leave just an act?
“I want to go home and calm down.”
Without another word, I left, feeling the weight of the employees’ judgmental stares on my back.
At home, I grabbed some beer and sat alone on the balcony, letting the bitterness wash over me. I didn’t know when I drifted off to sleep.
I vaguely sensed someone covering me with a blanket.
When I woke, Ethan was watching me with a soft smile.
“Awake? You don’t usually drink, but this time you really went all in.”
He handed me a small bottle. “Here, this is some hangover medicine I got for you.”
For a moment, I was dazed—like like Ethan from ten years ago had come back.
I noticed the apron he wore and glanced toward the kitchen, hearing faint noises.
He was cooking.
Seasonings spilled across the stove proved it was really him.
In ten years, he had never cooked for himself. His poor self-care meant I always took care of his meals, clothes, and everything else.
I had done it all meticulously, treating him as my greatest love.
As I hesitated, his phone suddenly rang.
Seeing the caller ID, I was surprised when he answered immediately.
“Already there? Wait a minute, I’ll go open the door.”
