A surge of displeasure rose in Hakeem's chest.
Who was this man?
How did Calleigh know him?
Inside the café.
Calleigh studied the contract intently, her gaze focused.
The young man sitting across from her was Cliff Sherman,
CEO Gusta's chief assistant.
He wielded immense influence within Aura Group global brand division.
To show their utmost respect for Calleigh, CEO Gusta had personally dispatched Cliff to sign a letter of intent for the launch of the independent brand.
Cliff sipped his coffee, stealing a subtle glance at Calleigh.
Their relationship extended far beyond a simple business partnership.
Ten years prior, Calleigh had been handpicked as CEO Gusta's protégé, her most promising student.
No one could understand why the talented young woman had married so young, abandoning her career.
Thankfully, she had finally woken up. At twenty-six, it was still not too late.
Lost in his thoughts, Cliff was pulled back when Calleigh lifted her gaze, a calm, gentle smile on her lips. "I've reviewed everything. There are no issues. We can sign the contract now."
Cliff smiled warmly. "It is Aura Group honor to collaborate with you, Miss Calleigh."
Calleigh took the pen and signed her name with solemn precision.
Cliff had other engagements and took his leave shortly after.
Word of his visit to New York had spread quickly. A fashion editor had been relentlessly pursuing him, desperate to network and secure a connection with Aura Group.
He supposed he could spare her a brief meeting.
After Cliff left, Calleigh picked up her handbag, ready to head home to be with Lily.
She had barely reached the parking lot when a hand clamped tightly around her wrist.
She turned her head, stunned to find Hakeem standing there.
Hakeem gripped her wrist, forcing her into the backseat of his car.
He slid in right after her, his gaze piercing and accusatory as he stared her down. "Who was that man? How do you know him? What were you talking about?"
He sounded like a jealous husband catching his wife in an act of betrayal, his tone full of harsh interrogation.
Once, Calleigh would have felt a flicker of joy, taking his anger as a sign he cared.
But now she knew better-it was nothing more than the arrogance of a wealthy man. A wife he kept and provided for was not allowed to stray, not allowed to draw the attention of other men.
It had nothing to do with love.
Calleigh leaned back against the leather seat, her tone casual and unconcerned. "A business partner. We were discussing work."
Hakeem's tense features relaxed slightly.
He trusted Calleigh; she never lied.
His eyes raked over his wife, noting how different she looked today.
She wore a tailored, formal dress,
predominantly black with soft blush accents at the collar and cuffs.
A pair of diamond earrings adorned her ears, elegant and stunning.
Only her slender calves were bare, a subtle detail that stirred a flicker of desire in him.
His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice softening. "Those little design projects of yours won't make you any real money. You'd be better off focusing on Lily. Besides, my sister already told you-Mom's birthday is being held at home. You need to handle the cleaning, and cook your signature dishes like you always do. It'll make Mom look good in front of her friends."
He spoke casually, as if her role as his family's servant was a given.
Calleigh blinked back the sting of tears in her eyes, her voice quiet and sharp.
"Handle the cleaning?"
"Cook a fancy meal to please your mother?"
"Hakeem, have you and Adelynn only just discovered you have a mother? Why did your sense of filial piety only appear after you married me? We're getting divorced. If you're so desperate to make your mother happy, ask Erlinda to do it."
Hakeem's expression darkened with annoyance. "Don't be ridiculous. Erlinda and I are just friends."
Calleigh let out a cold, bitter laugh. "I know. She's your perfect little confidante, your long-lost white moonlight."
The words were something her best friend Jocelyn had said.
It was the first time Calleigh had ever dared to speak the truth about his feelings out loud.
Hakeem opened his mouth to snap at her,
but Calleigh spoke first, her voice colder still. "I will attend your mother's birthday banquet. We are not officially divorced yet, after all. But find someone else to do the cleaning and cooking. I'm done being the Graves family's maid."
With that, Calleigh pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Hakeem watched her leave, making no move to stop her.
He would let her cool off. She would come crawling back, obedient as ever.
Calleigh had no real skills, no means to survive on her own. She could never get far.
