Chapter 2

It was the third day my dad sent me for "treatment."

Treatment for my "love-struck brain," treatment for my "illness" of insisting on being with a poor boy.

Julian waited all night, lying in the ventilation duct. At dawn, when the orderlies changed shifts, he pried open my room window.

"Jump!" he called, arms outstretched below.

I closed my eyes and jumped.

He caught me, falling to the ground himself. His elbow cracked, but he never let go.

Once we reached safety, he leaned against a wall, his shirt soaked with sweat.

He grabbed my hand, pressing it against his chest.

His heart was pounding fast and hard.

"Elara," his eyes were terrifyingly red. "Listen, if I can get you out of here today, then nothing will ever separate us again."

He pulled something from his pocket.

A thin silver ring, bought from a cheap stall at the market.

He'd crudely engraved an "E" on the inside.

His fingers trembled as he put it on my finger.

"When I have money someday, I'll definitely replace this with the biggest diamond ring for you."

His voice choked, as if he felt I was suffering immense hardship.

The sun that day was just like this, shining brightly on his young face, illuminating the light in his eyes.

I thought that was forever.

......

Not long after returning to my office, Mia, my assistant, knocked and came in.

"Ms. Hayes, here's the summary of the expenses you authorized during your week-long business trip."

She placed the tablet in front of me. "Among them... Ms. Chloe's spending records require your review."

I scrolled the screen.

Private Italian lingerie custom order, Royal Luxury SPA, Ritz-Carlton suite...

Scrolling further, my finger stopped at the last entry:

Private Maternity Hospital Medical Consultation...

Mia cautiously added,

"The finance department said... these expenses were all processed under 'employee benefits,' with Mr. Hayes' special authorization."

I put down my coffee cup and asked her,

"How long has Chloe been employed?"

"Three months."

I nodded, asking nothing further.

"Since Mr. Hayes approved it, follow the procedure."

Mia remained standing, twisting the hem of her shirt.

"Ms. Hayes... there are some things I don't know if I should say."

"Go ahead."

"On your first day of business trip, she... she dragged Mr. Hayes to your seat and..."

Mia sniffled, looking distressed. "I overheard them as I passed by. She laughed and said she wanted to take the thrill all the way."

I instinctively looked at my office chair.

That chair was special; Julian had specially ordered it from Milan when we first started the company.

He said, "You always have back pain, this chair is good for your spine."

Actually, I already knew about what Mia mentioned.

Chloe was in her early twenties.

Unlike the previous women, she wasn't afraid to provoke Julian or lose her job.

She was arrogant, audacious, practically wanting to photograph every hickey in a close-up.

How could she not send such stimulating "trophies" to me immediately to show off?

Last Wednesday at 2 AM.

I was pulling an all-nighter, working on a proposal in my hotel room during the business trip, when my phone screen suddenly lit up.

An unknown number sent a photo.

The moment I opened it, I didn't even immediately recognize what it was.

Until I clearly saw – it was my office.

The girl, whose face was obscured, was sitting in my chair, and Julian was leaning over, kissing her.

The sender even added a caption: [It's definitely extra comfortable in this chair...!]

I didn't see her face, but I already guessed who it was.

I didn't reply.

But at that moment, a wall in my chest suddenly collapsed.

So, I decided to return and deal with this urgent matter of 'divorce'—

And he still hadn't noticed the divorce agreement hidden beneath the "West Side Project Funding Request."