Chapter 5

I was about to say more when my phone suddenly rang.

Seeing Gordon's name on the screen, I hung up and blocked him without hesitation.

Then Leslie's phone buzzed.

He called Leslie—seriously?

I shook my head toward her and whispered, "Answer it. Just say I left the country and went to Elarion."

Leslie nodded. But as soon as she answered, before she could even speak, Gordon's furious roar came through the speaker.

Gordon said, "Leslie, is Jenna with you? Tell her to get her ass back here. Who gave her the guts to ask me for a divorce?"

At his words, Leslie's long-buried anger finally erupted.

Leslie fired back, her voice just as loud. "So what if she wants a divorce? You damn cheating scumbag!

"You're screwing around on her and still have the nerve to ask Jenna to come back? Dream on! For all you know, she's already flying to Elarion."

Gordon paused on the other end. "She went to Elarion?"

Before Leslie could say another word, he hung up.

The next second, my phone lit up with a flood of Facebook messages—all photos from Cassidy.

Every single one was a couple shot, with them looking all lovey-dovey.

I didn't bother looking at them closely. I just waited for her to make her grand "I own him now" announcement.

Sure enough, a text message popped up a moment later.

Cassidy texted: [Gordon and I have been together for a year. Good thing you knew when to walk away, because otherwise I would've kicked you out myself—what a hassle.

[But since you're gone, don't even think about coming back. If you mess with my life now, I seriously can't promise what I'll do.]

Cassidy was acting like a kindergartner trying to pick a fight. I couldn't even bother to respond—she was honestly a joke to me.

I had been supporting her since junior high all the way through college. She used to be so innocent and carefree.

Back when she started her internship, Gordon told me she was just a clueless kid who didn't understand how the real world worked.

He suggested we let her move in so it'd be easier to look after her, then help her find her own place once she had her career sorted out.

I agreed without a second thought.

I never imagined that in just half a year, Cassidy would become a completely different person, all over the fickle affection of Gordon.

Since she showed no regard for the history between us, I saw no need to play the nice guy anymore.

I snatched up my phone and dialed Cassidy's supervisor.

I said, "Your new intern secretary got involved with my husband. Given her improper conduct, I believe you should seriously consider whether she is fit for the job."

During my days at Leslie's place, I ate well and even put on a few pounds.

But work was pressing, and I had to board that plane and head overseas.

On the way to the airport, Leslie told me Gordon had actually looked up my flight and gone straight to Elarion

I laughed. "He's really trying to play the lovesick ex, but honestly, he could turn Elarion upside down, and he'd still never find me."

Because the country I was headed to wasn't Elarion at all—it was Crestmor.

As the plane took off, all I felt was nothing but easy freedom and joy.

Heading somewhere new, ready for a fresh start. All the hurt from before? I knew it would eventually fade away.

As soon as the plane landed and I turned on my phone, it buzzed with a call from Leslie.

"Jenna, Gordon's back in town. He came straight to my place, and I kinda slipped up and told him about your miscarriage," she said, sounding a bit guilty.

Taking in the Crestmor sky, I chuckled. "Don't worry about it. If he still has a shred of decency, he ought to be feeling guilty about that baby."

After I hung up, I went straight to the company dorm they had set me up with.

After a good night's sleep, I immediately went to the branch office to take over the work from the outgoing general manager.

My new colleagues all cheered, congratulating me on my new post and urging me to treat them to a meal that night.

I put on my most dead-serious face. "A treat? For what? Did any of you even finish your workload today?"

Seeing everyone suddenly avoid my gaze, looking all sheepish, I couldn't help but burst out laughing a little.