Chapter 3

Leonard's POV

I had decided that once everything was over, I'd file for divorce. We'd both go our separate ways and leave each other alone.

Yvonne froze. She looked like she was about to make a sarcastic remark, but stopped herself.

"Let's have dinner tonight," she said, her eyes glimmering. "Consider it compensation."

My fingers stopped over the keyboard. I silently repeated her words.

Compensation? Was it for losing the promotion, or was it for not picking me up last night?

I glanced at her and smiled. "No thanks."

Other than getting divorced, I wanted nothing more to do with her.

Yvonne looked stunned, clearly not expecting me to refuse. She studied me for a moment before saying, "Suit yourself."

Then, she turned and left.

As soon as she was gone, Jessica came over.

"You're incredible, Leonard. You actually turned down dinner with the boss," she praised, impressed. "Then again, I don't blame you. Everyone knows how hard you worked for that director position. Ms. Parker just handed it to a brand-new hire who barely knows how anything works. I'd be pissed too."

Jessica paused when she looked at my screen.

"Wait, are you writing your resignation letter?" She looked at me in surprise. "All this over a promotion?"

I met her gaze and smiled.

"No, it's been a lot more than that."

Too many times, Yvonne had chosen someone else over me.

…

Once I submitted my resignation letter, HR started processing it almost immediately. The final step was to get Yvonne's signature.

I took the paperwork that HR had stamped and went to her office.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Henry sitting in Yvonne's chair, watching a stand-up comedy special.

I used to like that one, too. I remember watching the first two episodes at home.

Yvonne had walked through the living room while I was watching it. She stopped for a few seconds and scoffed.

"That's just worthless entertainment. If that's the best hobby you can come up with, I'm disappointed."

I was so embarrassed that I quietly turned off the TV.

Henry, on the other hand, had no problem playing it on speaker in her office. He even waved at me smugly. "Yvonne went to get me bubble tea. Did you need her?"

There was a hint of challenge in his gaze as he spoke.

I calmly met his gaze. Looking back, I couldn't believe I'd ever let something so petty get to me.

I smiled, shook my head, and turned to leave.

Just then, the office door opened. Yvonne stood there with two cups of bubble tea in hand.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

She paused in her steps. Her eyes flicked toward Henry, and she unconsciously frowned.

Then, realization flashed across her face. "Did you change your mind about dinner? I'll send you the location later. I've already made a reservation at your—"

"Ms. Parker." I cut her off and turned the paperwork to the signature page. "I'm here to get your signature for a document."

Worried she might think otherwise, I added, "Don't worry. Once you sign it, I'll leave you two alone."

Yvonne fell silent. Confusion clouded her face. She couldn't figure out what was going on.

She took a pen, but hesitated before signing. "Are you only here for my signature?"

I nodded.

Her expression tightened. For the first time, she realized just how uninterested I was in the conversation.

She gripped the pen, clearly wanting to say something, but Henry cut in at exactly the right moment.

"Yvonne, can you give me my drink? The ice is melting."

She snapped back to reality and hummed a response.

She then quickly signed the paper and looked at me. "Wait for me in the parking lot after work."

With that, she turned her attention to helping Henry unwrap his straw.

I left her office with my resignation papers, feeling light on my feet as if nothing had happened.

Just as I closed the door behind me, I heard Henry's sweet, playful voice.

"What's this about dinner? My favorite celebrity is holding a fan event tonight. Yvonne, you have to come with me…"