Chapter 2

Ciara's POV

Just then, Keith's phone started ringing. The ringtone was short and urgent, one he'd specifically set for Madeline.

Without a moment's hesitation, he answered it, his tone impossibly tender.

"Don't be scared. I'll have the building management send someone to fix it tomorrow. Just stay on the phone with me tonight."

Once upon a time, he had a strict rule about never staying up late, refusing to talk to me after 10:00 pm every single day.

Suddenly, I found the whole thing utterly meaningless. I stood up and walked into the guest bedroom. Despite how exhausted I was, I forced myself to send a message to my lawyer.

"Please draft a property division agreement as soon as possible."

For now, at least, I couldn't afford to fall apart.

After a moment's thought, I sent Dad a message, too.

"Dad, is the man you wanted to set me up with still single?"

When he replied affirmatively, I finally felt at ease enough to go to sleep.

…

The next morning, when I arrived at the office, I found a crowd gathered around Madeline's desk.

"Maddy, you're just way too nice. Ms. Coleman gave you the cold shoulder yesterday, and you're still helping her send out wedding invitations!"

"Seriously! She walks around looking like a sourpuss every day, and yet she's still desperate enough to want to be the other woman!"

These were the same exact people who'd stood by my side as we built the company from a tiny studio into what it was today. When we distributed bonuses at the end of last year, they even thanked me profusely and said I was the only woman they'd ever recognize as the boss' wife.

As it turned out, people's hearts really could change in the blink of an eye.

My heart sank a little further.

"Don't say that, guys. I'm just trying to help Ciara out," Madeline said with a soft giggle, covering her mouth.

"Oh, Ciara, you're here!"

She walked up to me and handed me a wedding invitation.

"I've already sent out the wedding invitations for you. That way, you won't have to do all that work."

I looked at the invitation, where the printed bride's name was "Madeline Lively".

"You're sending these invitations out for me? Or for yourself?"

She stiffened, and her eyes immediately grew red.

A few coworkers jumped in to defend her.

"Ms. Coleman, Madeline helped you send out the invitations on top of doing her own work. She's already exhausted, so you should give her a break."

My hands clenched at my sides. I barely even felt my fingernails digging into my palms.

"She couldn't see the name clearly, and none of you could, either?"

Guilt flashed in their eyes as they hurriedly averted their gaze.

"Are you done with your little power trip yet?"

Someone brushed roughly against my shoulder. Keith walked straight over to Madeline, then turned to me with a baffled look.

"Do you really have to humiliate Maddy in front of everyone?"

In that instant, I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"She sent out the invitations with the wrong name, but did I say a single word to humiliate her?"

Madeline put on a helpless expression.

"Please don't blame Ciara. It was my fault."

A flicker of sympathy crossed Keith's face, and he pulled her in even closer.

"It doesn't matter."

He turned to look at me, his voice turning cold. "Don't forget, Ciara. When it comes to titles, Maddy is the real Mrs. Hummel around here."

I stood there, stunned for nearly three seconds before forcing back my tears.

"Fine. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together."

For the rest of the morning, I didn't say another word to Keith. Instead, I busied myself gathering information on all the projects I'd been in charge of over the years and checking my shares in the company.

Even though I had spent all these years running around and pouring my heart into this company, most of my shares were registered under Keith's name. Only then did I come to a shocking realization—he'd only promoted me to maintain his image as the loving, devoted partner.

Before the anger even had time to surface, a dull, physical ache settled in my chest.

I sent everything I had collected to my lawyer.

At noon, I ran into Keith in the break room. The citrus scent clung to him.

"The wedding's been moved up to the day after tomorrow," he announced as he rubbed his temples wearily. "Maddy wants to go on a vacation to the Losta Isles in a few days, and she doesn't want you disturbing her.

"There's no time to reprint the invitations, so we'll just keep using the ones we already have. It's only a name, anyway."