Chapter 2
The entire day passed without a single message from Edward.
Suppressing the dull ache of disappointment, I forced my focus back onto the paperwork piling up on my desk.
My secretary, Mia Carter, hovered beside me, a stack of files clutched to her chest, her expression torn.
"Just spit it out. What's the bad news this time?" I asked.
She said hesitantly, "Ms. Sterling, Hawthorne Corporation is refusing to release the 60 million dollar payment for the joint venture. They're citing... procedural non-compliance."
I slowly raised my head. "The file. Give it to me."
Minutes later, my car pulled up in front of the imposing Hawthorne Corporation tower.
I strode to the private executive elevator and swiped my keycard. Nothing.
I tried again. Still nothing.
From the reception desk, Sam Quinn hurried over, his face a mask of nervous apology.
He stammered, "M-Mrs. Hawthorne, Mr. Hawthorne's secretary had the access protocols reset last week for, um, security and efficiency. Only Mr. Hawthorne and her card work for this elevator now."
"Mr. Hawthorne's secretary?" I arched an eyebrow in surprise, my voice deceptively calm. "Grace Maxwell?"
Sam ducked his head, unable to meet my eyes. "Y-yes, ma'am."
A faint smile touched my lips. I tucked the useless keycard back into my bag. "I see."
Taking the staff elevator to the top floor, I walked straight toward Edward's office.
"Ms. Sterling, please wait!" Grace rose from her desk, stepping directly into my path.
"Do you have an appointment? Mr. Hawthorne is currently—"
Without hesitation, I slapped her hard across the face.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Get out of my way," I snapped.
Before she could react, I reached past her and pushed the heavy office door open.
Edward stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, phone to his ear. At the sound of the door, he turned.
Seeing me, his brow furrowed slightly. He muttered a quick farewell into the phone and ended the call.
"Olivia, what brings you here?" he asked.
Without a word, I flung the contract file onto his desk. "Explain."
He picked it up, his eyes scanning the pages.
Behind me, Grace stood in the doorway, one hand pressed to her reddening cheek, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
He noticed her swollen cheek, and his brows knitted in concern.
I braced myself for his defense of her. Instead, he crossed the room and gently took my hand, turning it over in his.
"Olivia, are you okay? Did your hand get hurt?" Edward asked, his voice soft and full of concern.
I said coldly, "Edward, you know I have no patience for betrayal, and I can't tolerate even the slightest offense.
"Especially not on what is still, by half, my territory. I don't want to see her here again."
He was silent for a long moment, studying my face. Finally, he sighed, the sound carrying a weary kind of indulgence. "Alright. Consider it done. I'll have her transferred," he said.
As his words hung in the air, Grace let out a choked sob and fled down the corridor.
Edward instinctively took a few steps toward Grace, but stopped himself just in time.
As he watched her leave, memories of that stormy night from years back suddenly flooded his mind.
Grace had jumped in without a second thought, shielding him from a bottle someone was about to smash on him.
But after that, Ashley herself sent Grace away.
Ever since, she became the unattainable love of his life—the one he always longed for.
Now, whatever Grace wanted, Edward never said no.
"Come on, let's head home together," Edward said.
His mind was clearly elsewhere on the way back; he gave vague, distracted answers to my few attempts at conversation.
His heart, it seemed, had already wandered back to its old haunt.
During dinner, his phone kept buzzing nonstop.
Eventually, he finally answered the call.
"Okay, I'll be there soon," Edward said.
Hanging up, he grabbed his jacket. "Olivia, something urgent at the office. I have to go."
After he left, I followed the GPS on his phone to a restaurant.
I spotted them right away, locked in a passionate embrace.
Watching them, I dug my nails into my palms so hard it hurt.
This was the first time I'd ever seen him so passionate, so eager to possess someone.
Grace shot me a smug, taunting smile.
I recorded their intimate moment on my phone.
Without another glance, I turned and left. In the cool night air, I sent the video to Ashley and Edward.
The text to him was simple, final: [Edward, I want a divorce.]