Chapter 2 No More Chances

"You've already gotten the divorce papers. Do you really think I'm joking?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Sign them, then we'll make time to finalize the divorce. After that, we'll have nothing to do with each other."

I hung up and headed straight for the office.

The employees had plenty to complain about after what happened, but because they still trusted me, none of them quit.

I couldn't let my personal problems drag them down any further.

Thankfully, we still had enough cash on hand to keep things moving. Once I got back, I gave every employee a $5,000 bonus.

"This setback doesn't matter. We've got another shot at going public in two months. Let's work a little harder and make it happen."

Everyone felt motivated, and they returned to their desks with renewed energy.

I called in HR and told her to prepare Valerie's termination letter.

"Mr. Steele, are you sure you want to fire her? Ms. Cross might—"

"Fire her. Make sure she gets it today. From now on, whatever happens to the company has nothing to do with her."

I waved her off and returned to my office.

The company might have been something Valerie and I had founded together, but in reality, I was the one who had financed and kept it afloat from the beginning.

Back then, I willingly researched what our clients wanted and went to extraordinary lengths to secure our deals.

I never gave it much thought. But looking back now, I'd been the one weathering every storm outside while she only had to handle things behind the scenes at the office.

Simply speaking, I'd made things easy for her.

Not long afterward, Valerie called me again.

Furious, she accused me, "Who said you could fire me? I put my heart and soul into this company too! You brought up divorce this afternoon, and I pretended that didn't happen. But if you keep this up, I'm really going to lose my patience with you."

I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard that.

Even now, she thought I was only using divorce to pressure her into coming home.

"I said we're getting divorced, and that's final. What have you actually contributed to this company from day one? You didn't even show up for the final meeting before the IPO. You should be grateful I'm not making you pay for the losses you caused.

"As for the divorce papers, I'm only giving you until tonight. If they aren't signed and returned by then, I'll file for divorce tomorrow."

There was an unusual silence on the other end. Perhaps being the one to swallow her pride and getting rejected had embarrassed Valerie.

I didn't care enough to guess what was going through her head, so I ended the call.

When I got home after work, I was surprised to see a hot meal waiting on the table.

I glanced toward the kitchen.

Valerie, whom I hadn't seen in several days, was there in an apron, bustling around as she cooked.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what she was up to this time.

After all, during the years we'd been together, I had done all the housework.

"You're home. Let's eat."

When she saw me, she came over and reached for my hand.

"I know it's all my fault. You have every right to be angry, but you shouldn't ask for a divorce whenever something goes wrong. I promise I'll never leave you hanging because of Gideon again. Can't you forgive me one last time?"

Valerie had a naturally delicate, vulnerable look, and she deliberately softened her voice, making herself seem even more pitiful.

I calmly pulled my hand away.

"If an apology could fix everything, then who's going to pay for the losses the company suffered? You don't have to try this hard to win me over. I told you I want a divorce. I'm not changing my mind."

"Grayson, what do you mean by that? Keep this up, and I'm really going to get angry."

Her first attempt to win me back had been rejected, and Valerie's expression darkened.

I had finally run out of patience. There was no point pretending anymore.

"Do you think I don't know what disgusting things you and Gideon were doing in that car? I was trying to spare you the embarrassment. Do you really want me to spell everything out and make things ugly?"

She had been my first love, and I had genuinely loved her for five years.

Even after discovering that she'd cheated on me, I still wanted us to part on good terms.

But Valerie clearly had no appreciation for that.

Instead of reflecting on what I'd said, she flew into a rage and knocked the freshly prepared meal off the table.