Chapter 3

But this time, when I look at those photos that were so obviously meant to show off and provoke me, I just felt totally calm inside.

I even found myself casually liking every single one of her posts.

Since the project went off without a hitch, the company planned to give me a promotion. The new position was in Bovellie City, and I'd been on the fence, but I'd finally made up my mind.

Stepping out of the company building, I ran into Samuel unexpectedly.

"Just happened to have some business around here today," he said.

I opened the passenger door and saw Natalia sitting inside.

She gave me a syrupy smile. "Adaline, long time no see. I just grabbed a bite with Mr. Osborne, and he offered to give me a lift home. You don't mind, do you?"

I smiled back. "Not at all."

With that, I opened the back door and slid in.

Samuel got in and immediately sensed something was off. He glanced back at me, hesitating before explaining, "Natalia gets carsick, so she's more comfortable up front."

I just nodded.

He shot me another look, still unsure, before finally turning back around.

He must've been wondering why I was acting so chill. Back then, even though I didn't ride with him often, whenever I did, I always took the front seat.

I used to tease Samuel with a grin, "When I'm in the car, this seat's reserved for me, your wife."

Samuel would roll his eyes and say, "It's just a seat. Does it really matter where you sit?"

But honestly, I just wanted to be right there beside him.

Up front, Natalia was chattering away with Samuel, all about stuff going on at their company.

I didn't really get any of it, and there was no way I could jump in, so I just closed my eyes and pretended to nap.

Until Natalia turned around and asked, "Adaline, why didn't you come to Lennon's birthday party the other day?"

Lennon's birthday? I opened my eyes.

No one invited me, so I wasn't about to show up and make things awkward.

I said softly, "I didn't know he was throwing a birthday party."

Natalia looked surprised. "How could you not know? Lennon and Mr. Osborne are basically joined at the hip."

I just smiled and kept quiet.

Lennon and Samuel were as close as brothers.

Last month, after Samuel got back from overseas, he didn't go home. Instead, he took Natalia to the mountains to watch the stars.

When I asked Lennon about it, he covered for his buddy.

But what he didn't know was that I'd already found out from Natalia's posts.

I totally lost it that time, crying and making a scene. Samuel couldn't stand being home, so he just stayed in a hotel for three days.

Once Natalia was done, Samuel peeked at me guiltily through the rearview mirror.

I didn't bother responding and just shut my eyes again, tuning him out completely.

The takeout showed up right as we got home.

I changed into something comfortable and started eating. Samuel came out of the bathroom and asked, "Where's mine?"

I looked at him, surprised. "Didn't you already eat?"

He paused for a moment, then sat down across from me, clearly wanting to say something.

Back then, I would've immediately asked what was wrong, but right then, I just wanted to enjoy my food in peace.

Samuel called my name, "Lennon's birthday was when we were still not talking to each other, so I just..." He trailed off, unsure how to finish.

I cut him off, "Small things like that are already behind us. No need to bring it up again."

He looked stunned for a moment because he'd said those exact words to me more than once before.

Last time at dinner with Lennon, I asked him why he'd covered for Samuel.

Lennon glanced at Samuel first, then gave me a knowing smirk.

"Adaline, I just didn't want to cause trouble between you guys," Lennon said.

I was about to ask more, but Samuel had already had enough of it.

He said sharply, "It's just a small thing. How long ago was that? Still not over it?"

After dinner, Samuel looked like he wasn't planning to leave anytime soon.

I seized the moment and pulled out the divorce papers my lawyer had prepared from my bag.

He glanced at the title and let out a sarcastic laugh.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you threatening divorce again?" he said.

He flung the papers at my feet. I picked them up and handed them back to him calmly.

"I'm not joking," I said, my voice steady.

"Do you really get a kick out of stirring things up every single day?" he snapped.

I bit my tongue. I knew saying anything else would make us blow up at each other again.

Samuel slammed the door and stormed out.

I couldn't care less where he went or what he did.

Without a second thought, I set the divorce papers down in his study and went right back to scrolling through Bovellie City's real estate listings I hadn't finished earlier.

When it was finally time to turn in for the night, Samuel still hadn't come back, and honestly, I was happy having the place all to myself.

The next day, Samuel came to pick me up from work again.

I didn't turn him down. After all, I hadn't had this kind of treatment in years. There was no need to act all dramatic about it.

I opened the back door and got in.

Samuel looked at me, confused. "Adaline, why are you sitting in the back?"

I gave him a confused look. "Does it really matter where I sit?"

"Then come sit up front," he said.

I just shrugged and moved to the passenger seat.

I felt something under me, picked it up, and realized it was a lipstick.

Samuel jumped in to explain, "It's probably Natalia's. She's always so scatterbrained, always losing things everywhere..."

His voice got quieter as I looked at him, and he glanced at me, a little uneasy.

I passed him the lipstick. "Make sure you give it back to her. This brand isn't cheap."

"I swear, I had no idea. There's nothing between me and her..." he mumbled.

I cut him off. "Honestly, Samuel, it's not important."

"What?" he blinked, confused.

"I mean, whatever's going on between you and Natalia, I just don't care anymore," I said.

He looked as pale as a sheet. I turned my face to the window, ending the conversation.

From that day on, Samuel started picking me up from work every single day, and he stopped hanging out with his friends.

Every day, I'd put the signed divorce papers right on the coffee table in the living room.

But he just pretended not to see them, and I didn't bother to push. It was just a matter of time anyway. I was just the one who brought it up first.

If I ever acted like I was in a rush, he'd probably accuse me of playing games or being dramatic.