Chapter 4

That night, Leo asked me to meet him at the same restaurant again.

When I arrived, I realized there was a third person joining us.

The table was already set for four, with the food served. Nora sat quietly next to Leo, looking nervous and out of place.

"Leo, what are you trying to do?" I demanded, my patience running thin.

Leo said, "Claire, I brought Nora here so she could apologize to you and so we can get everything out in the open.

"The company isn't a place for office politics. I really don't want to see any more of this drama between you two."

He frowned and continued, "Claire, haven't I already told you? Nora and I just have a work relationship. She's my assistant, that's it."

Since I didn't say anything, Nora began to apologize.

She said, "Mrs. Goodman, I'm sorry, I..."

But before she could finish, tears streamed down her face once more.

Nora was always on the verge of tears.

Her tears only made her look more delicate and helpless.

She glanced up at Leo, met his eyes, and seemed to find some courage there before she spoke again.

Nora said, "Mrs. Goodman, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have posted Mr. Goodman's photo online without permission. It caused a misunderstanding.

"I've already decided to stop updating my account. Please, if there's anything else I've done to upset you, just tell me. I'll change, I promise. I really can't afford to lose this job."

She was taking subtle digs at me, both out in the open and behind the scenes.

I shot back, "I don't target people for no reason, but I will absolutely go after anyone who tries to flirt with my husband.

"Leo's had plenty of assistants before, and you're not the only one. I don't know why none of the other girls ever made a scene like this. Maybe they were just brought up differently."

Nora's face fell a little.

I added, "Nora, this is the last time I'm going to speak to you civilly."

"Now that everything's out in the open, let's just eat," Leo said, trying to keep the peace.

Fed up, I got to my feet.

I said, "Nora, you stay and eat here. My husband and I will head home for dinner."

"It's late. It's not safe for a girl to go home alone," Leo said, putting on a concerned face.

"Sure, honey, why don't you take her home? I'll just grab a cab," I replied, unable to hide the sarcasm in my voice.

Leo picked up on the real meaning behind my words.

He said, "We'll be leaving now. The bill's settled, so feel free to take your time, Nora."

Leo finally broke the silence as we drove home. He said, "Claire, this really isn't necessary."

I shot back, "So tell me, is it really necessary to give her a whole week off just to cheer her up? To let her stay in our honeymoon suite? To check if she's eaten lunch? To have private dinners with her?"

All the frustration I'd been holding in for days finally exploded.

"Claire, you..." Leo started, but I cut him off.

I snapped, "You want to know how I found out, don't you?

"I asked you before if you'd ever looked at what she posted on her account.

"She put all of that on her own account."

Back home, Leo finally scrolled through Nora's social media account.

That's when it finally hit him that this was actually a big deal.

Leo said, "Claire, seeing her, a young woman just starting in the working world, reminded me of you.

"You used to tell me about those years when you were overseas. Back then, you must've felt just as lost and alone as Nora is now.

"I just wish I could've been there for you back then, so I..." he trailed off, regret heavy in his voice.

"So you're just projecting all the regret you have for me onto her, aren't you?" I said, my voice sharp.

Leo had always acted so confident, never showing a hint of guilt around me.

But now, he finally looked down.

I reached out and lifted his face, making him meet my eyes head-on.

I said, "Look at me, Leo.

"You should be loving me, the woman right in front of you. Stop searching for pieces of my past in someone else, and quit sharing the love that's supposed to be mine."

I let him off the hook a little, easing the tension between us.

I said, "Alright, we're both exhausted. Let's just put this behind us.

"Just make sure you love me."

"Okay," Leo murmured, softly taking my hand in his.