Chapter 2

"The Shoreline Branch is a signed project," I said. "I'll see it through until the contract ends."

Adam looked visibly relieved. "Good. And next year, the Valley Creek Branch and the Durhamide Branch—"

"I won't be working with you next year."

He went silent. "What?"

"Insight Studio isn't renewing our contract with Durhamide Hotels next year." I made it clearer. "After the Shoreline Branch inspection, all that's left between us is the divorce."

Adam's brow slowly furrowed. "Camille."

"Work is work."

"Right."

I nodded. "So, we'll treat it strictly as business. Next year, Durhamide Hotels can send the design requests to Insight Studio, as always. Noemi will check the schedule and rates.

"If the timing works, we can sign a contract as usual."

"What do you mean?" He stared at me. "So, we can't work together the way we used to?"

"No."

"Why?"

I couldn't help finding his question a little ridiculous. But I still gave him a straight answer. "Because you used to be my husband. But you're not anymore."

Adam went quiet.

After a moment, he leaned back in his chair, his expression growing cold. "So, you're still mad."

I didn't bother explaining.

I grabbed the plate and headed for the kitchen.

His voice came from behind me. "Camille, you don't have to let your personal feelings mess with work."

I turned on the faucet. The rush of water filled the kitchen.

I scrubbed the dried soup off the bowl before answering, "That's exactly why I'm keeping things professional. From now on, we should work together like any other business partners."

He didn't say anything else.

That night, Adam slept in the guest room. And I slept soundly.

At seven the next morning, I got up and started packing.

Seven years of marriage turned out to be easier to pack up than I'd imagined. Clothes, computer, design sketches, a few professional books, and an old jewelry box my mother left to me.

Everything that was truly mine fit into two suitcases.

I didn't take a single thing we bought together, not the decorative pieces, the dishes, or the rug.

Adam came downstairs right as I snapped the last suitcase shut.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs. "Where are you going?"

"The apartment near the studio," I replied.

It was a small apartment I bought two years ago. I only ever stayed there when I worked late.

"You're moving out today?" Adam asked.

"What else?" I replied.

"The divorce isn't finalized yet."

"Doesn't make a difference."

He frowned. "You can still live here."

"That's not necessary."

I grabbed my suitcase.

As I walked past the entryway, my phone suddenly rang. It was Noemi Sellers.

I answered the call. "It's me."

"Are you sure?" Noemi's voice was loud enough for Adam to hear her clearly in the quiet living room. "You're really dropping both Durhamide Hotels slots for next year?"

"Yeah."

"Didn't we already lock in Valley Creek Branch last year?"

"There was never a formal contract."

"Alright." Noemi paused. "So, should I offer those slots to other clients?"

"Go ahead."

Then I hung up and slipped on my shoes.

Adam finally broke his silence behind me. "Which slots did you let go of?"

I straightened up. "March and May next year."

His face darkened. "Those are the slots for Valley Creek Branch and Durhamide Branch."

"They used to be."

"What do you mean?"

"It means they are not now."

I dragged my suitcase and opened the door.

The rain outside had stopped. A damp breeze drifted in from the hallway.

Adam stood where he was. For the first time, his voice turned cold. "Camille, do you really have to take it this far?"

I turned to look at him.

All of a sudden, memories from way back started rushing in.

When his first hotel was still a dream, the construction team ran into trouble.

It was two in the morning. He called, and I got out of bed, heading to the site in the pouring rain.

I didn't get a single minute of sleep that night.

The next day, he hugged me and said he'd never be able to repay me, no matter what.

After that, stuff like this happened all the time. He kept piling up debts to me. Maybe he forgot about it himself.

I held onto the suitcase handle. "Adam, I'm just reclaiming what never belonged to you."

With that, I closed the door.

After I got downstairs, Noemi texted me. [By the way, the Durhamide Hotels Procurement Department called. They want to know if they can reserve those slots for next year.]

A second text followed right after. [I quoted them the regular price.]

A few seconds later, a third message buzzed in. [Do you think Adam ever knew how much of a discount you were giving him on his projects?]

I stared at the screen.

Before I could reply, my phone started ringing. Adam's name popped up on the screen.

This was the first call I'd gotten since I moved out, and in seven years of marriage, it was the first time he'd ever called to grill me about the "regular price."

My phone kept buzzing for a while before I finally picked up. "What's up?"

Adam's voice was low and tight. "What's with the price Noemi gave me?"

I grabbed my suitcase and headed out of the apartment complex. "What are you talking about?"

"The design fee for Valley Creek Branch is up eighty percent from last year."

"Yep."

"And the supplier quotes are back to full price."

"Yep."

My two yeps were enough to completely drain his patience.

"Camille Levine, don't tell me this is what you call normal cooperation," he said.