Chapter 5

I knocked on the door.

Chloe immediately sat up from Nathan’s lap and smoothed down her skirt.

“Emma, what are you doing here?”

Nathan glanced toward the doorway.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“The operations manager said you wanted to see me.”

Chloe pressed a hand to her forehead and explained softly, “I felt dizzy, so Nathan let me lie down for a while. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“She’s been standing in heels all morning,” Nathan added. “You walk in here looking like that, and who exactly are you trying to intimidate?”

I ignored him.

“What did you want to see me about?”

Chloe reached for his hand.

“Don’t scold her yet. The florist asked me how the centerpieces should be arranged today, and I didn’t know how to answer. Emma had to handle it in the end. Everyone probably thinks I’m only a creative director in name.”

She had been taking photos at the time. She had handed me the tablet and told me not to bother her with minor details.

Nathan looked at me.

“Didn't I tell you to hand the design over to her?”

“I sent it on Tuesday. The final version was also printed and placed on her desk.”

“You think sending it over counts as a proper handover? She just took over. Couldn't you sit down and walk her through it?”

“I asked to meet with her twice. She said she was busy.”

Chloe lowered her head.

“I was with the editor both days. I should have arranged my schedule better.”

“All right. Stop taking responsibility for everything.”

Nathan turned back to me.

“Bring the design to the celebration dinner tonight and go through it with her again. Tomorrow, stay beside her during the interview and fill in anything she can’t answer.”

“I’m not going tonight.”

His brows drew together.

“What now?”

“The handover is finished. I have other plans.”

“Chloe won’t even be able to answer the editor’s questions tomorrow. It’ll make the entire company look bad. Do you really have to be difficult at a time like this?”

I took out my phone, opened the handover email, and placed it on the table.

“Every file, budget, and vendor contact is there. She signed to confirm that she received everything.”

Nathan didn't even look at the screen.

“I’m asking you to help her one more time, and this is what you show me?”

“If she has questions, she can contact the execution team.”

I took back my phone and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Nathan stopped me and glanced at Chloe.

“Go check whether the photographer is finished outside.”

Chloe hesitated, then picked up the bouquet and walked out.

Once the door closed, Nathan approached me and took my hand.

“You’re upset because you think I’ve spent the past few days focusing on her and neglecting our wedding, aren't you?”

I tried to pull my hand free, but he held on.

“We’ll take the wedding photos tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have my assistant schedule it. We don’t need to postpone the wedding anymore, either. We’ll keep the date on the invitations.”

He waited for my response.

When I said nothing, he added:

“But what happened today can’t happen again. If Chloe can’t handle something, you deal with it. Don’t make her beg for help in front of the staff.”

I pulled my hand free and took the ring box from my bag.

“You don’t need to schedule anything.”

“What?”

I placed the box in his hand.

“I’m not marrying you. Here’s your ring. I’ve already moved everything out of the apartment, too.”

Nathan opened the box, then looked at my bare hand.

“You’re ending this because I asked you to walk Chloe through the design?”

“We’re over, Nathan. I’ve resigned, too. Today is my last day.”

“Wasn't this supposed to be time off? You were going home to rest.”

“My resignation notice was copied to you.”

He pulled out his phone and searched through his emails.

Then his finger stopped.

I opened the door, but Nathan rushed after me and grabbed my wrist.

“What about the baby? Haven’t you always wanted to give our child a complete family? I agreed to marry you. How long are you going to keep making a scene?”

I shoved his hand away.

“The baby is already gone.”

My voice was calm.

“I miscarried the night you hung up on my calls.”