Chapter 2

"What document did you have me sign yesterday?" Gabriella asked.

I looked up, a flicker of complex emotion flashing across my face before I regained my composure. "You didn't ask when you signed it, and now you want to know?"

Gabriella gave me an indifferent smile. "It just occurred to me. Besides, you're my husband—you wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

I lowered my gaze, hiding the mockery in my eyes. "Aren't you afraid that I made you sign our divorce agreement or a transfer of your assets?"

Gabriella's chest tightened at my words. She frowned, looking slightly panicked and annoyed. "Are you joking with me?"

She walked over to me and sat sideways on my lap. "You know that I would definitely lose my mind if you ever left me. If I had to choose between the two, I'd rather it was the transfer of my assets," she said, her tone soft but firm.

Gabriella looked at me, and I could see the deep affection in her eyes. I knew that she meant it when she said she couldn't leave me, and her feelings for me were real.

But my "joke" was real too. I had her sign the divorce agreement that would end our marriage.

I had pursued her for five years and had been married to her for three. My relationship with Gabriella was finally coming to an end.

…

That afternoon, once I arrived at the office, I went straight to the HR department to hand in my resignation. The HR manager, Serena Hale, looked up from her desk. When she realized it was me, a look of shock appeared on her face.

She said, "Mr. Carter, have you truly made up your mind? You have worked alongside Ms. Archer longer than anyone else. We always said among ourselves that even if the law firm went under, you would never leave. Why would you suddenly—"

Serena didn't finish her sentence.

I looked down. Until yesterday, I had always believed that I would never leave. Gabriella and I built this law firm from the ground up, working hard side by side and fighting every step of the way.

When the firm landed its first case, Gabriella took me out for a lavish dinner with the legal fee.

That day, we watched the flow of traffic from a restaurant on the 54th floor. Gabriella leaned against my chest and said she was glad that I was the one by her side in this life.

I smiled faintly and replied to Serena, "People change. I've already made up my mind."

Serena looked at me, her eyes full of regret. "Since you're firm in your decision, I wish you the best in the future."

I thanked her quietly and walked out of the HR office. The moment I got back to my desk, my phone chimed.

I picked it up and saw that Nathaniel had posted something on social media. The photo showed Gabriella lying in bed, looking peaceful as she slept.

The caption read, "I had too much to drink last night. Fortunately, someone was there to look after me personally. I gave her a little hickey as a reward."

Nathaniel tagged me directly, probably to make sure that I wouldn't miss it. This wasn't the first time he had done something like this. Out of every ten stories he posted, three usually mentioned me, while the other seven were visible only to me.

In the past, these petty tricks easily provoked me. Gabriella and I used to argue and fight because of them.

Every time, she simply brushed it off and told me, "Nate and I are just friends with benefits. You're the one who's my husband. Don't be so petty."

Gabriella was certain that I loved her and would never leave, so she hurt me without holding back.

I smiled, though my heart remained heavy with a mix of complicated feelings.

Suddenly, a coworker nearby gasped. "Look! Ms. Archer's boyfriend is here."

I followed her gaze. Nathaniel, dressed in a tailored suit, walked into Gabriella's office as if no one else existed. Soon, someone lowered the blinds, blocking the view from outside.