Ellen’s POV
I normally never ask Carter for anything, so he looked a little surprised.
I clenched my palms. “I want to buy a house.”
“Alright. Whatever else you want later, I’ll buy it, too. I’ll get going now.”
He turned around and shut the door without a trace of hesitation.
He said he was worried he’d disturb me if he stayed home, so he’d live outside for a while and let me focus on my drafts.
But starting the very next day, Kelley would send me their schedule—every place they went—just to show off.
So while I stayed home drawing design drafts for her, he was out there charting maps with her.
I just kept gathering proof, sending everything to Scott, and organizing it into a video for exposing them.
The day I finished the design drafts, I went straight to the company.
Carter came over to get them. “Where is it? Hurry up and give it to me.”
I pulled out a document. “Sign this first. It’s for the house I’m buying in the countryside.”
He signed impatiently. “It’s just a house. You could’ve just put your own name.”
“That won’t work. This document needs both signatures.”
I thought the hint was obvious enough that he’d at least glance at it, but he didn’t even look. He just signed.
Then he tossed the papers back at me. “Done. Now, hand over the drafts.”
He only wanted to take the designs to Kelley. He didn’t even realize what he’d just signed.
I tucked away the divorce papers and handed him the drafts. “This is the last time.”
He froze for a second but still took them and left.
Watching his back as he walked away, I felt like I could finally breathe.
Kelley had used plenty of my designs, but she never noticed I’d left a unique marker on each one.
This batch was no exception. Once everything gets exposed, I’d love to see how she explains herself.
I sat at my computer and typed up my resignation letter, then handed it to the manager.
He looked shocked. “Why are you leaving?”
I smiled. “I want a break. Could you announce it at the end of the month?”
“You’re hiding it from Mr. Dillamond too?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I want it to be a surprise.”
After leaving the company, I went home and packed.
Everything Carter had bought me—I didn’t even want to touch it. I only took what I actually wanted.
Then I called Scott. “I’m all done on my end. Push forward on yours.”
He sounded thrilled. “Absolutely. I’ll wait for you!”
That night Carter came home drunk. The living room was empty; no one was waiting for him.
He stumbled to my room. “Ellen, make me some hangover soup.”
I locked the door and pretended to be asleep, no matter how many times he called me.
He eventually had to make it himself and even burned his hand.
He quietly applied ointment in the living room before finally going back to the master bedroom.
The next morning, with dark circles under his eyes, he asked, “Did you do that on purpose yesterday?”
I acted clueless. “What are you talking about?”
He retold the whole thing.
I said, “I haven’t been sleeping well, so I wore earplugs. I didn’t hear anything.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes. “Why didn’t you sleep in the master bedroom?”
Because it’s disgusting there.
“I suddenly don’t like that mattress anymore. It feels dirty.”
He’d custom-made that mattress for me and put a lot of thought into it.
But to me now, it was nothing but a dirty object.
He went silent, then muttered, “Then next time I’ll get you another one.”
He handed me a necklace. “This is the newest design. I thought you’d like it.”
I took it and casually set it aside. “Thanks.”
He froze, not getting the reaction he’d imagined—no excitement, no surprise.
Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at it and said, “There's dinner tonight. I won’t be home. Don’t wait for me.”
I smiled. “What a coincidence. I have plans, too. I won’t be waiting.”
I grabbed my bag and walked out, leaving him standing there stunned for a long moment.
My girlfriends had invited me out. I told them about the divorce.
They shrieked, “We need to celebrate you finally leaving that loser! I’m booking male models! Let’s have fun.”
But soon after, Kelley appeared. “Ellen? I didn’t expect to see you here.”
That’s when I realized—the “dinner” Carter mentioned was actually her birthday celebration in the room next door.
“Hey, can you come celebrate with me?”
I was about to refuse when Carter appeared at the door. Seeing a room full of men, his face instantly darkened.
“Ellen, you’re a married woman. Have some boundaries!”
My friend shot back immediately, “We’re just having drinks! It’s not like we’re the ones being shady with someone else.”
Everyone knew exactly who she meant; their eyes all drifted to Kelley.
Her eyes reddened and she ran off.
Carter then glared at me. “You owe me an explanation.”
