Chapter 2

Adrian came home the next morning, just as dawn was breaking. His neck was covered in hickeys, and his eyes looked exhausted.

He completely ignored the fact that I was resting, tossed his dirty clothes and socks on the floor, grabbed his suitcase from the corner, set it down, and ruffled my hair.

He said, "Grab me a few clean clothes. There is no need to pack everything. I'm only staying with Delaney for a couple of days. I'll be back soon.

"It's only a divorce on paper to make her feel better. You know I only see her as a friend."

He clearly had no sense of shame.

I snorted, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

Adrian, in a rare, good mood, sat on the bed and started packing, ignoring me completely.

He said, "I've been swamped these past few days. When I get back, I'll make up for missing our anniversary.

"I know you're pissed at me, but I swear, this is the last time.

"I'll make it up to you as long as you don't mess with Delaney."

I sat up, about to explain the whole divorce thing.

But then his phone rang. He smiled as he picked it up.

Delaney said, "Adrian, where did you go? Do you have any idea how scared I was when I woke up, and you weren't there?

"Please come back soon. I'm really scared,"

Hearing Delaney's pleading tone, Adrian unconsciously sped up packing.

Soon, he dragged his suitcase out and walked straight for the door.

He spun around too fast. The suitcase hit the nightstand, and the photo frame fell, glass shattering everywhere.

It was our only photo together.

When we got married, Adrian had just started his internship, and we were barely making ends meet.

Wedding photos were impossible back then.

He promised me, "Once I start making real money, I'll take you everywhere. We'll get wedding photos in every style you can imagine."

I believed him.

But promises were cheap. In the end, I was a stand-in. He kept me around so his beloved Delaney wouldn't have to struggle with him.

*****

That afternoon, I walked into HR with my resignation letter in hand.

The person at the desk glanced at me and then looked at the letter.

After a moment, she lowered her voice and said, "Gloria, Mr. Harrington owes so much of his success to you. Now that things are finally looking up for you, are you sure you're really willing to leave?

"Does Mr. Harrington know you're leaving?"

"Just follow the procedure. I'll let him know," I said.

I then walked into the office and quickly started packing my things.

"Adrian, can I really work with you? Like, the way Gloria does? She's so cool," Delaney said.

The door swung open, and Delaney walked in, her heels clicking on the floor.

Adrian followed behind her, and when he saw what I was doing, he gave me a complicated look.

"Just make sure you pack up early. From now on, you'll be working outside. You're familiar with everyone here, but Delaney is new and needs time to settle in. Let her take your spot," Adrian said.

"Sorry, Gloria. I didn't realize you were here. If you'd rather, I can work outside. It's just that I get nervous around strangers," Delaney said.

She lowered her head, looking a bit down. She glanced at the churro in her hand. Suddenly, her face brightened, and she held it out to me.

"Gloria, Adrian made this for me this morning. I can't finish it. Do you want to try it? Adrian's really good in the kitchen," Delaney said with a smug look on her face.

I turned away, avoiding her offer.

Adrian shot me a look. "Delaney doesn't mean any harm. Can you try being a little nicer to her? I'm the one who wants the divorce, and I'm the one who asked you to move your desk. This isn't her fault."

He played the tough guy, while Delaney stepped in with her gentle, comforting act.

She said, "Gloria, don't mind Adrian. He's a blockhead sometimes. There is no need to get upset with him.

"Honestly, instead of wasting your time on a guy, you might as well eat the churro."

With that, she popped the churro into her mouth and started nibbling like a little hamster.

What a couple of idiots.

I grabbed my resignation letter, ready to leave, when Delaney's sharp eyes caught it. Out of nowhere, she lunged at me.

The greasy churro fell right onto the pile of papers, instantly smearing oil all over them.

Panicked, I swatted the churro away.

Those papers weren't merely my resignation letter. They contained the upcoming cases that my team had put so much effort into.

Delaney let out a loud cry. "I'm so sorry, Gloria. I didn't mean to.

"But you can't push me like that."

Tears filled her eyes as Adrian smacked my hand away, sending the papers flying to the floor.

He snapped, "Gloria, you seriously disgust me. It's only a few papers, and you're actually hitting Delaney over them?

"Apologize to Delaney now, or I'll make this divorce official."

He always threatened me with a divorce.

But this time, I was really ready to divorce him.

I grabbed the messed-up papers from the floor.

Someone knocked on the office door. "Gloria, are you in there? You left your phone in the bathroom earlier. Someone kept calling, so I answered. They said they'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow."

I was pleased with the timing.

Adrian grabbed my wrist. "Who's picking you up? Where are you going? Why didn't I know?"

I was about to tell him I was leaving when Delaney suddenly started crying.

"Adrian, my head hurts so much. I think I didn't sleep well last night, but I feel terrible. My legs and arms ache, too," she said.

Adrian panicked, completely forgetting about everything else.

I took the chance, stepped in his way, and shoved my resignation letter right at him.

As his assistant, I couldn't leave without his signature.

But Adrian wasn't even paying attention. His face was cold as he barked, "Move."

"Sign it, and I'll get out of your way," I said.

I stood my ground, and Adrian, without a second glance, signed his name.

From now on, my association with him was over.