Chapter 3
I walked back to the design department.
As soon as I got to my desk, Amy Lee, our department head, called me over.
She closed the office door and looked at me, clearly troubled. "Olivia, I know you're new here and want to make a good impression on the management, but you have to know where to draw the line.
"Everyone in the company knows about Mr. Cole and his wife.
"You need to be more mindful of your reputation from now on."
I nodded and said softly, "I understand, Amy."
No excuses.
No tears.
It was all pointless now.
The moment Henry made his choice, my heart was already dead.
Back at my desk, I turned on my computer.
The desktop background was still the photo of Henry and me from our trip to Cloudrest.
In the picture, we were both smiling brightly and happily.
I stared at that photo for a full minute before my finger finally came down on Delete.
The screen returned to its default cold blue wallpaper, empty and bare.
It mirrored my heart in that moment. Both were barren wastelands.
I pulled out my phone and unlocked it.
I didn't open WhatsApp to demand answers from Henry.
I scrolled through my contacts and found a name I hadn't called in forever: Laureen Quinn.
The call connected almost instantly.
A calm, professional female voice came through the line. "Hello?"
My voice was steady, betraying no emotion. "Ms. Quinn, it's Olivia Lane."
There was a brief pause on the other end, like she was trying to remember who I was. "Oh, Ms. Lane, I remember now. It's been a while. How have you been?"
"Not great. I'm calling because I need some legal advice."
Lauren's voice instantly turned professional. "Of course, Ms. Lane. Please, go ahead."
I stared out at the blinding sunlight, enunciating every word clearly. "I want to discuss a divorce and the misappropriation of our marital assets."
*****
At eight that night, I got home.
The house was pitch black and chilly.
Henry wasn't back yet.
That was good.
I turned on the lights, swapped my shoes, and headed to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
I hadn't eaten anything since lunch, but honestly, I didn't feel hungry at all.
My stomach was empty, and so was my heart.
I sat quietly on the couch waiting.
At nine-thirty, I heard a key turning in the lock.
Henry was finally home.
He walked in and immediately spotted me sitting in the living room.
His face flickered with awkwardness before settling into exhaustion and guilt. "Olivia, you're still up?"
He walked over, trying to sit next to me.
I shifted away.
His hand froze in midair, then awkwardly pulled back.
He sat down about three feet away from me and let out a sigh. "Olivia, I'm sorry about what happened at lunch today.
"Mia's got a temper. She's been spoiled by her family. Don't let it get to you.
"I was totally caught off guard. With everyone watching, I had to worry about the company's image first.
"It's not that I don't trust you, I was just—"
I cut him off. "So your choice was to let me get called a homewrecker in front of everyone to protect the so-called company's image?"
My voice was soft, but it cut like a knife.
Henry's face twisted.
He seemed stunned that someone as docile as me could speak so sharply.
He defended, "That's not what I meant.
"Olivia, how could you even think that? After everything we've been through, don't you know me by now?
"I ditched a client meeting tonight so I could come home and explain things to you.
"You have to trust me. There's nothing between me and Mia. She's the daughter of a major client. I can't afford to offend her."
He sounded so earnest.
If this had happened yesterday, maybe I would've caved and bought his story.
But now, I only found it ridiculous.
The daughter of a major client?
Important enough that she could casually take his arm and declare him her husband?
Important enough that he would sacrifice his wife's reputation to protect his career?