Library
Maghanap
Home / Romance / She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown / Chapter 3

Share

Chapter 3

Author: E. L. Knox
I returned to the apartment and had just been there for half an hour when Matthew called.

As soon as I picked up the phone, his furious roar nearly pierced my eardrums. "Emma, you're so vicious! Sophie swallowed the key that was inside the chocolate. She's in the ER right now!

"You were aware that something was hidden within, yet you chose to remain silent. This was your intention all along, wasn't it? How could you be so heartless over a mere patent and a promotion?"

I held my phone tightly, and my chest felt heavy.

Previously, other women had also attempted to get close to Matthew. However, he consistently set boundaries. Sometimes, he even fired them immediately.

Yet, everything took a turn a year ago when Sophie joined the company. Despite her clumsy tricks, he chose to overlook each one.

Whenever I pointed out her inappropriate behavior, he accused me of being petty and narrow-minded. He always took her side.

And now, it was the same story. She was the one who got greedy and ate it, but somehow, I was the one being accused of a deliberate setup.

I took a deep breath, trying to explain. "I never meant to hurt anyone. The key was—"

"That's enough, Emma! Stop making excuses. Get to the hospital and apologize to Sophie now!" Matthew cut me off harshly and barked out the order.

I bit down on my lower lip, trembling from head to toe.

Sophie's frail voice came through the line. "Matthew, don't blame Emma because of me. She was probably just joking. Please don't be mad at her."

Matthew snorted. "It's all her fault you had to go through this. The whole celebration we planned for tonight is ruined!"

Then he turned his words back to me. "I'll be staying at the hospital with Sophie for the next few days. Don't contact me unless it's important."

As the call concluded, I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

During Matthew's absence over the past few days, I took the opportunity to gather and pack all my belongings from the apartment. I threw his gifts in garbage bags and removed the wedding photo from the wall.

On the nightstand rested a pair of ceramic bears. They were souvenirs from our honeymoon. Matthew had chosen them in Vastrel.

He once claimed they represented the eternal nature of our love. How ironic those words seemed in hindsight.

I smashed one of the bears against the floor, and the pieces scattered, just like our ten-year marriage. It was shattered beyond repair.

The day before I moved out, I took the divorce papers to the hospital to see Matthew.

Just as I reached the door of the ward, Sophie spotted me. She gave me a smug, provocative smile and deliberately pulled Matthew close. She started acting affectionate with him on the bed.

I ignored it, knocked on the door, and walked in. Without a word, I placed the documents in front of him. "Sign it. Let's both be free."

Matthew's cheeks flushed as he stared at me in shock. "What do you mean? Divorce?"

He snatched up the papers and tore them to shreds. "Emma, stop being ridiculous! I've told you many times that nothing is going on between me and Sophie.

"And with another new product launching next month, do you have any idea what a divorce right now could do to the company's stock?"

I glared at him coldly. "I don't care. I'll go through legal channels."

Matthew's face twisted with rage. He was on the verge of erupting.

Yet, Sophie swiftly stepped in front of him, only adding fuel to the fire. "Matthew, she's actually using the divorce to threaten you. You can't give in to her. If you do, she'll only push further next time."

Seeing the smug triumph in her eyes, I finally lost control and shoved her aside. "This is our marriage. It's none of your business."

Sophie hit the bed rail with a cry of pain and immediately turned to Matthew for help.

I expected the usual reprimand, but to my surprise, he shouted at her instead, "How dare you talk to her like that? Apologize!"

Tears filled Sophie's eyes in an instant. She whispered a quiet apology before running out of the room.

Matthew didn't go after her. Instead, he came home with me.
Patuloy na basahin ang aklat na ito nang libre
I-scan ang code upang i-download ang App
Nakaraang Kabanata Susunod na kabanata

Pinakabagong kabanata

  • She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown   Chapter 10

    The new life began quietly.We rented a new apartment near Tallisport Bay. There was a small balcony with a view of Prism Arch. Timothy taught me how to cook local dishes, and I taught him how to make pies.Just when I thought things could finally stay peaceful, a news alert popped up on my phone. "Sundale Valley Startup Star Declares Bankruptcy—CEO Missing."The accompanying photo showed a crowd of angry investors and suppliers protesting outside Matthew's company.I closed the article and went back to chopping vegetables.A few days later, another headline appeared. "Woman Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances—Police Launch Investigation."The victim was Sophie. She had been dead for days before anyone found her. The cause of death remained unknown.Timothy looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?""I'm fine. What happens to them doesn't concern me anymore." I meant it.That night, I had a dream. In it, Matthew stood in the rain, apologizing over and over again. Upon

  • She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown   Chapter 9

    At the cafe, Sophie looked so worn out that I barely recognized her. Heavy makeup couldn't hide the dark circles under her eyes, and even the designer bag couldn't cover up the mess she was in.She sneered. "Are you here to gloat? Congrats. You won.""I've already divorced Matthew," I said calmly.Her head snapped up, and her eyes were wide with disbelief. "What?""The divorce procedure will be finished completely in a month. He's a free man now," I said, stirring my coffee. Sophie stared at me, as if trying to tell whether I was bluffing. "You're really letting him go?"I scoffed. "What's there to hold on to? A self-centered and indifferent man who is solely focused on his own needs... Perhaps only someone like you would see that as a treasure."The jab hit, but she quickly regained her composure. "So why are you here?"I pulled a set of documents from my bag. "Do you feel like making a comeback?"It was a new algorithm I'd sketched on the plane. It was not as perfect as the

  • She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown   Chapter 8

    I thrust the divorce papers into Matthew's hands. He gazed at them as if they were a horrifying creature.He tore the agreement to shreds. "Impossible. I'd rather die than sign this."The fragments fluttered to the floor like snowflakes.I was prepared. I pulled another copy from my bag. "I printed plenty. You can't tear them all up.""Emma, you belong to me. Always, unless I'm dead." His eyes were frighteningly obsessive.I took out my phone and pulled up the surveillance footage. The video was clear. Just as Matthew rushed over, Timothy was knocked down. His head had hit the ground hard."Intentional assault. In Tallisport, that can get you over three years in prison. So, sign the papers or go to jail. Your choice," I said calmly.Matthew's face turned deathly pale in an instant.The justice system here was notoriously strict, with a conviction rate as high as 99%. And with the surveillance footage as evidence, there was no way he could talk his way out of it.His hands trem

  • She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown   Chapter 7

    The hospital corridor reeked of disinfectant.The red light above the operating room stayed on, casting a dull, anxious glow. I sat on the chair with my hands clenched tightly in my lap.Timothy's injuries were worse than expected. There were over a dozen stitches on his head, and he had a mild concussion. Hence, he'd need to stay in the hospital for observation."I'm sorry..." I sat beside the hospital bed. Tears kept streaming down my face.Timothy opened his eyes weakly and managed a faint smile. "It's not... your fault, Emma."Looking at the bandages wrapped around his head, I felt something tighten painfully in my chest. At that moment, I realized that I had started to feel something different for this gentleman.It wasn't something fiery or overwhelming, but something steady and quiet. It wasn't about wanting to own him, but a genuine hope for his well-being.It was late when Timothy finally succumbed to a deep sleep. I quietly exited the ward.At the end of the corridor,

  • She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown   Chapter 6

    The next day, a new tenant moved into the apartment across from mine. Movers were carrying boxes in and out. When I peered out the window, my heart skipped a beat.It was Matthew. He had actually rented the opposite apartment. What a lunatic!Then, the days that followed started to feel… eerie. In the morning, I'd go to the cafe. He'd be in the corner, pretending to read a newspaper.At lunch, I'd stop by the convenience store. He'd be there too, feigning interest in sandwiches. In the evening, after work, he'd be standing outside the apartment building.He wouldn't approach. He wouldn't utter a word. He simply remained there, like a shadow.Over the weekend, I arranged to join my coworker, Timothy White, for a visit to Cliffshore to enjoy the breathtaking views of the sea.He was a senior member of the tech department in his thirties, and he wore black-rimmed glasses. When he smiled, his eyes crinkled warmly.He spoke my native language quite well, and over the past few weeks,

  • She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown   Chapter 5

    I stared at the phone screen. The familiar words hurt my eyes. For ten years, this number held countless memories—goodnight texts from our first date, daily good morning messages during our newlywed days, and eventually just "busy right now".As I held the tiny SIM card in my palm, its weight felt surprisingly burdensome."Miss, are you still boarding?" the gate agent asked.I cast one final glance before discarding the SIM card into the trash. It fell with a gentle clink, reminiscent of a period that marked the conclusion of a long chapter.In the business class cabin, the flight attendant handed me a blanket and a menu. I asked for a cup of hot tea and leaned back in my seat.Outside the window, the city diminished until it disappeared into the clouds. With a dozen hours stretching before me, I had ample time to sort through my thoughts.Efficiency at Narellin International Airport was as high as ever. Every task, from immigration and baggage claim to currency exchange, opera

Higit pang Kabanata

Maaari mong magustuhan

Galugarin at basahin ang magagandang nobela
Libreng basahin ang magagandang nobela sa GoodNovel app. I-download ang mga librong gusto mo at basahin kahit saan at anumang oras.
Libreng basahin ang mga aklat sa app
I-scan ang code para mabasa sa App
DMCA.com Protection Status