Chapter 3

Julia assumed Robert would at least offer some explanation for the disgraceful scene she'd witnessed that day and for his betrayal over five long years.

However, he simply averted his indifferent gaze and walked past her toward the desk. He didn't say a word to her—he didn't think it was necessary, even though they were still legally married.

Her nails dug into her flesh. She'd long since experienced the full extent of his cruelty, yet his disregard still pierced her so deeply that every fiber of her body seemed to ache.

He was the one who'd cheated, and she was the one who'd been hurt. Even if she'd been nothing more than a dog to him, he should have at least given her a heads-up when he'd fallen out of love with her.

Instead, he left her to her own devices, having to speculate by herself like a clueless fool.

During that initial year, she'd spent most of her time questioning herself. She'd wondered if she'd done something wrong. Had she been so incapable of holding onto a man's heart?

Julia wanted nothing more than to demand an answer from Robert. If he didn't love her anymore, he could've divorced her. Why was he treating her this way?

She wanted even more to hurl the divorce agreement straight at his face.

However, in the end, she merely clutched the agreement tightly and remained silent.

She didn't ask because she refused to keep humiliating herself in front of him. She didn't throw the divorce papers at him because there was still the matter of Emmy's custody, and she couldn't afford to be careless.

She had to take things slow and plan her next step carefully.

Suppressing her anger, Julia left the study. Back in the bedroom, she took several deep breaths before finally calming down. Then she picked up a pen and signed her name in the other column.

Once she'd settled Emmy's custody, she and Robert would have nothing left to do with each other!

She carefully tucked the divorce agreement into her bag before heading downstairs. The broken glass had already been cleaned up.

Katie was clinging to Robert, her arms wrapped around his neck as she whined, "I don't want to stay here, Daddy. I don't like it here! I want an even bigger house. Let me stay in a much bigger house, Daddy!"

Robert left with Katie in his arms.

The stack of photographs carelessly discarded into the trash can nearby made one thing painfully clear—the brief period of happiness Robert and Julia shared had been nothing more than a joke.

Julia made no effort to keep track of Myra and Robert's movements. She had far more important things to do, such as planning a future for herself and Emmy.

Unfortunately, other people kept thrusting updates about the two of them in front of her. One of Myra's friends forwarded her a post Myra had shared on her social media.

In a vast, spacious room, Katie clapped her hands as she jumped around and shouted in delight, "Yay! A big house! It's so pretty! I love it."

It was a 10,000-square-foot apartment, three times as big as their marital home at Horizon Bay.

All Katie had to do was say she wanted a bigger house, and Robert was willing to go this far to cater to her. He truly did spoil her rotten.

Julia suddenly remembered how, throughout her pregnancy, she'd sent Robert the photos of her ultrasound every month. She'd secretly hoped that watching their child grow inside her little by little might prompt him to take the initiative and mend their relationship.

Instead, every single message had gone unread. He didn't love her, and he didn't even care about her child.

Unwilling to let down the person who'd gone to the trouble of forwarding the post, Julia casually tapped the screen and liked the post.

…

The next day, Julia woke up in her own apartment. She'd only bought it the previous year.

As Emmy's condition improved, her medical expenses had gradually decreased. Julia used the money she'd managed to save to buy the apartment so that she and Emmy could live there once Emmy had made a full recovery.

At about 1,000 square feet in size, it wasn't particularly big, but it was cozy.

It was a workday, so Julia changed into a sharp business outfit, got into her slightly aging Volkswagen, and drove to the office.

The Stone family had built its fortune in pharmaceuticals. In recent years, Robert had launched several innovative drugs. They'd done well on the market, bringing in enormous profits.

Julia, however, worked in the company's conventional medical equipment division, the least promising of them all.

Even then, the Stones continued to guard against her as though she were a thief. She wasn't allowed anywhere near the core departments. Instead, she was shuffled around the peripheral business divisions.

Over the years, she'd managed to build a client base, securing several major accounts for the company. She'd worked her way up to becoming a business manager.

"Julia!"

Julia had barely stepped into the office when her assistant, Lacey Hayes, approached her.

"Ruby secured a huge contract yesterday—over ten million in sales!" Lacey exclaimed. "It's no surprise since you mentored her yourself. She's incredible!"

Julia took the sales report and skimmed it with a hint of pride in her eyes.

"She did well."

"When she first joined the company, she could barely give a presentation. You taught her everything yourself! But she's worked hard for it, too. While everyone else was relaxing at home on their days off, she was out negotiating deals," Lacey remarked.

Julia briefly reviewed the figures on the report before signing it.

While taking it from her, Lacey couldn't resist asking, "Now that Gloria White has resigned, the senior supervisor position should go to Ruby, right?"

"Of course."

In the company, every position was accounted for in advance, especially in a department like theirs that attracted little attention. Only when someone left could a newcomer move up.

"Ruby has both the experience and the sales record to qualify for the job."

In fact, Julia had prepared Ruby Cooke's promotion paperwork as soon as Gloria announced her resignation. The company's vice president had already signed off on it. All that was needed was the CEO's signature, which was a mere formality.

Lacey took the paperwork and said, "I'll go tell Ruby the good news right away!"

As Julia sat down, a burst of excited chatter erupted across the open-plan office. People crowded around Ruby.

"Congratulations! Will I need to address you as Ms. Cooke from now on?"

Before long, Ruby came over to Julia with a cup of coffee in her hand, her cheeks flushed. "This is for you, Julia."

Julia accepted it and offered her heartfelt congratulations. "Congratulations, Ruby."

"We must commemorate this occasion with a photo!" Lacey rushed in and pulled Julia and Ruby out of Julia's office.

Everyone lined up cheerfully for the photo.

Just as they were about to take the photo, Lexi strode into the office, her heels clacking against the floor.

She clapped her hands sharply. "Everyone, quiet down for a moment. I'd like to introduce our company's newest senior supervisor, Whitney Lester."

The office abruptly fell silent as everyone's breath hitched.

Lexi proceeded to introduce the young woman standing beside her. "Whitney here is an exceptionally capable talent. The company has spent a fortune recruiting her, and we hope everyone will cooperate with her in her work."

"What… How could this…"

Everyone turned toward Julia, who felt like she'd been shoved into an icy river in the dead of winter.