I'm Done Asking Her Approval

By the time Brooke returned home, it was already late at night. Noah was supporting her as they walked through the door, and the two of them came face-to-face with me as I sat on the sofa.

"Why are you still awake?" Brooke frowned. "Didn't I tell you we had a company gathering tonight?"

Her tone was casual, tinged with irritation, as though nothing had happened.

I stared at the way their bodies were pressed so closely together. Before I could say anything, Noah hurriedly stepped away from her. "Alec, don't get the wrong idea. Brooke had quite a bit to drink, so I thought I'd bring her home."

Brooke? I froze for a moment.

Noah had been my college roommate. I was the one who had recommended him for a position at the company back then. At the time, he had been so reserved that he always addressed Brooke as "Ms. Callahan."

I had no idea when that had changed.

I ignored him and looked straight at Brooke. "Why didn't you approve my hospital expenses?"

Brooke rubbed her throbbing temples, already impatient. "Is money the only thing you ever think about? Noah was kind enough to bring me home. Go get him a glass of water first."

I stayed where I was. "You gave him a 28-thousand-dollar gift. Escorting you home is the least he can do in return."

Brooke's expression darkened at once. "You went through my phone?"

Even now, her first reaction was still to make this my fault.

The air fell silent for a moment until Noah broke it. Without the slightest hint of panic, he took hold of my arm. "Don't be mad, Alec. Brooke only got me the birthday present on your behalf."

I lowered my eyes to the hand gripping my arm. A year ago, he'd done the same. Back then, however, his eyes were filled with nothing but pleading.

"Alec, please ask Ms. Callahan to let me join the company! I promise I'll repay you someday!" he said.

Because we had been classmates, I personally helped him get into the company. But I never imagined he would repay me by rejecting my applications in blue, over and over again.

I shook his hand off and rubbed my wrist.

He looked awkwardly at Brooke. As expected, she immediately stepped forward and shielded him behind her, her cold gaze on me. "Why are you taking that attitude with him? He was only following the rules. Noah closed a deal, and the watch was my reward to him. He deserved it. Could you stop kicking up a fuss?"

I endured the pain in my back and slowly stood up. "So he deserved his reward, but I'm not allowed money for hospitalization?"

"But aren't you just fine?"

"The doctor said I was at risk of paralysis and needed surgery as soon as possible."

She scoffed. "That's only a projected risk."

I looked at her quietly. "What if I really become paralyzed?"

She kept Noah firmly behind her, her tone calm, as though she were discussing something that had nothing to do with her. "In that case, bring in the hospital bill and submit an application. Let Noah review it according to standard protocol."

A smile appeared on Noah's face from behind her. "Alec, don't worry. If it really is an emergency, I won't hold you up. I'll process it as urgent."

It felt as though a heavy stone had lodged itself in my chest and dropped straight down.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

When I opened them again, my voice was so calm that I surprised myself.

"Forget the application. Brooke, I want a divorce."

After a brief, dead silence, Brooke let out a low laugh. "Cole Gyllen, I'm the breadwinner of this family. Once you leave me, you won't even be able to pay for your hospitalization. What are you going to do? Have surgery in the middle of the street?"

Her words struck me like a slap across the face. I clenched my fists hard, struggling to keep my emotions under control.

Noah called out to her. "Brooke, didn't you say you were going to help me go over tomorrow's proposal? This is a good opportunity to let Alec cool down by himself."

Before Brooke went into the study, she walked over and gave my hand a gentle tug. "Alec, making money isn't easy. And you're always prone to impulsive spending. Just because you hold out your hand doesn't mean I have to give you whatever you ask for. Be good, okay? Go to bed early and take care of your back."