Chapter 27: Not Ready

Pinakabagong kabanata

• Divorcing The Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 78: Ex-cited?

  The boutique had champagne flutes at the entrance and a sales associate who followed us everywhere to see to all our whims. It was the type of store in which Elizabeth might shop.“Try this on,” Alicia promised, taking a sleek black dress off the rack and holding it to me. "You're going to look hot."I sighed, took the thing, and disappeared into the fitting room. It fit perfectly, hugging me in all the right places, the slit way, way up my thigh. I walked outside, and Alicia let out a low whistle.“I can't believe it; Damian's going to have a stroke."I looked at her. "That's not the point."She waved me off. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. But believe me, this is the dress."Once again, I looked at my reflection. The Eleanor in the mirror was not the same one who had been sad over an invitation last night. She looked composed, confident. Unbothered."Admit it," I said. "Let's get it."With the dress secure, Alicia set about securing that appointment with the makeup artist. While they were 'p

• Divorcing The Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 77: Invitation

  Except for the soft city noise outside, my loft was silent when I got back. Sliding off my heels, I tossed my coat over the arm of the sofa before heading to the little shelf in my bedroom.My fingers brushed across the spines of old books, searching for nothing in particular. Not really—I was too restless to read. Still caught up in the events of the day—seeing Damian and Elizabeth in person, hearing about their engagement, accepting that wretched invitation instead of ignoring it.I should have thrown it out the moment I left the graveyard. Tossed it into the nearest trash bin and washed my hands of it. But I didn’t.And that infuriated me, too.I sat on the edge of my bed with a sigh, reaching for the envelope that lay there. The expensive paper felt weighted under my fingers, an unwelcome reminder of a life that was no longer mine.I opened it again, scanning the words as if they might change, as if this entire situation might rewrite itself.Before I could stop myself, I grabbed

• Divorcing The Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 76: Party

  Mike set his cup down and stared fixedly. "Elizabeth and Damian will be celebrating an engagement party this coming weekend."I scarcely blinked; my face was inscrutable. "Thus?"Something—humor, possibly—flitted across his eyes. Or aggravation. "Guessed you were unaware."I gave a brief, disinterested hum. "And why would I?"Mike studied me, his fingers drumming softly against the side of his cup. "You do now."I sighed and glanced off. "Mike, is that what you came here for? To tell me? To persuade me not to do something?"Although his smirk turned a little less, he maintained eye contact. "Things can probably change, but... Or possibly I simply knew you would require support."I laughed and shook my head. "Backup for what? Going has no reason.""None should?" Mike tilted his head. "Knowing that look, Eleanor, as I do. You are contemplating it."I leaned back in my restaurant chair and shook my head. "I'm not. I will also not reject it."Mike observed me for a long time before runnin

• Divorcing The Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 75: Spark

  The apartment was quiet when I stepped inside. I closed the door behind me, took off my shoes, and coat, draping it over the chair by the door instead of hanging it up. I had to go to bed. It was late and I was tired, but my mind would not relax.I went into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water because I wanted to keep my hands occupied. The lights of the city shone outside the window, distant and static. I drank slowly and leaned against the counter.My phone was vibrating on the table.Mike.You alright?I exhaled rapidly and shook my head. I didn't know why I was surprised. He always listened. Even when I didn't want him to.Yes. You?He responded after a few seconds.You know me. Always okay.I stared at the screen. I could imagine him saying it, that small smile in his voice, the way he always evaded answering without technically lying.I didn't respond. I had no idea what to say.I put my phone on the counter, had another sip of water, and shut off the kitchen light.

• Divorcing The Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 74: Something

  After dinner, the gallery quieted down to a comfortable hush. The takeout containers from leftovers were on the desk, and Alicia was scrolling through her phone, most likely reading the emails she'd put off eating. Mike settled back into his chair, his eyes straying in my direction every so often but not speaking much.Abby had already caught on.She always caught on."You're working late again?" she asked, putting on her coat.I shrugged. "Might as well. Got some things to wrap up."She looked at me knowingly but didn't push. "Alright. Don't burn yourself out."Alicia yawned, stretching her arms above her head before standing. "I should get going, too. Text if you need anything.""Will do."One by one, they left, their goodbyes soft in the quiet space. The gallery always felt different at night—still, untouched, like it existed in its own pocket of time.Mike hadn’t left yet.He was still in his chair, watching me. Not in an expectant way, not like he was waiting for me to say someth

• Divorcing The Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 73: Bothering Encounter

  I didn't want to continue argue with him. I didn't want to stay standing here, gawking at him, judging for whatever he would say because we both knew I'll never be able to believe him. There was no point.So, I gave him a once-over, before I slowly trudged in. But just as I was supposed to walked away from him, I felt a hand on my wrist."Are you not going to ask what happened to me? Aren't you curious?""Why would I be?" I asked, jiggling my wrist for release. "You're dead to me."Those words will hunt him. He probably didn't expect I'd say those after all these years we hadn't seen each other, but I couldn't care less.I was able to took back my arm from him, and when I did, I continued walking and didn't look back. He didn't pursue me any longer either— which was better for the both of us.We were nothing beside strangers now, and a conversation wouldn't do us any good.I headed back to my gallery after that, where Mike and Alicia were waiting for me. They were at the main office,