Edward had one goal—to get Macie into the car, take her home, and tell her everything he had been holding inside. He wasn't going to let her hide anymore."Let go of me! Let me go!" she yelled as she stumbled along, attempting to wrench herself free. Her nails dug into his skin, leaving red welts on the back of his hand, but his grip didn't loosen at all. His grip was like iron. "What do you think you're doing, you crazy son of a bitch? Let me go, or I'll scream for help!" she threatened, looking around for someone to help."Go ahead! I'm taking my wife home. Let's see who dares to stop me," he growled. The way Edward addressed her made her skin crawl. Macie lifted her leg to kick him in the calf. But with one foot on the ground and the other midair, she lost her balance and pitched forward. The pavement was solid concrete, and it was summer. Her clothes were light, offering no protection. She was going to fall flat on her face. Macie shut her eyes tight and raised her arm to p
It was like someone flipped a switch inside Edward when he heard Macie yell Julian's name. His whole body tensed. He stopped fastening Macie's seatbelt. Instead, he slammed the car door shut and locked it. Then, he turned around and glared at the man approaching.Edward had seen Julian earlier that morning. Now, staring at his face again, it finally clicked. He realized why Julian had looked familiar to him. Julian wasn't a business associate. He was that guy from the college competitions Macie used to enter. Back then, Edward had watched some of her old footage, and this man had been in them... a lot. So, it turned out that this man was Julian. Edward couldn't believe this rotten luck."Mr. Fowler, may I ask why you're—" Julian started to say, frowning as he reached the car. But he never got to finish his sentence as Edward's fist came out of nowhere, slamming into Julian's face with full force. The blow was so sudden and clean that Julian stumbled back and almost lost his balan
Julian was helped to his feet by security. He looked at Macie's anxious, worried expression and managed a strained smile. "I'm fine," he said between breaths. "I can take it."Macie immediately stepped toward him, her hand reaching out to steady him. The way she moved, the care in her eyes, made Edward's blood boil all over again. He tried to shove past the guard. Rage burned through him like wildfire. He was determined to get to that man. He had to tear him apart. "That's him, isn't it? He's the guy you've been in love with all along, right? He's the one you called last time!" he bellowed at Macie, his jealousy boiling over.He suddenly remembered the journal she used to carry everywhere, even after they were married. The one with the high school entries that documented her years of pining over her secret crush. It turned out that it was Julian. It had always been Julian. "Macie, tell me the truth. Did you ever love me? Even just a little?" Edward's voice cracked."I've alrea
"No, I didn't mean that…" Edward shook his head frantically and looked at Macie."Oh? Are you denying your own words now? Should I call Sharon over as a witness?" she shot back coldly."I... That's what I said back then, but I don't mean it now! I don't want you back because I want to hurt you. I—" Edward tried to explain, but by then, the officers had already handcuffed him."I like you!" he blurted out as they led him away. He turned his head, desperate to meet her eyes. Unfortunately, Macie didn't return his gaze. She stood still, her arms stiff at her sides, as though his words never even reached her.Edward was shoved into the back of a patrol car while Macie stood frozen in place, clenching her fists and forcing herself not to look back. She wondered if Edward had lost his mind. She questioned if he had really just said that he liked her. She wanted to laugh. She thought that his words sounded fake. It was almost as if Edward thought that being nice would change her mind ab
Macie turned at the sound of Julian's voice and answered quietly, "I'm sorry, Julian. I'll explain everything to you later."Just then, Yosef looked over at the young man standing beside Macie, noticing the bruises on his face. With a frown, he asked, "Did Edward do that to you?"Julian met the older man's gaze and nodded. "Hello, Mr. Fowler Senior. I'm Julian Atkinson. We met briefly years ago during a competition at Arlington College when you were the sponsoring judge."Yosef studied him more closely. He sensed something familiar about the young man. "Yes, I remember you. You were a very impressive young man. I'm sorry about my grandson. If there's any way I can make this up to you, just say the word.""There's no need, really. Security arrived in time, and I wasn't seriously hurt," Julian responded. "Also, I'll be filing a letter of non-prosecution, so you don't have to worry."Yosef gave the young man another look before he turned to walk toward the interrogation room to bring
Yosef turned to Edward and shot him a sharp glare. He asked, "Well? Aren't you going to give your word?"However, Edward said nothing. His eyes were fixed on the woman standing just a few feet away. Her mask had come off, revealing her flawless, made-up face.She had cut her hair, put on makeup, and dressed in a completely different way. She was even wearing high heels. Back when she was with him, Macie never bothered with her appearance. But now, she was dressing up for that man to win over his favor.He had never realized just how obvious love could be or how brutal the absence of it felt. He clenched his fists, a dull ache twisting deep in his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Don't worry, May. You have my word," Yosef said on Edward's behalf. "He won't bother you again.""I hope you mean that," Macie said, meeting Yosef's eyes. Then, she turned her attention back to the paper and signed her name on the statement. The officer took it, and the case was officially closed.
About ten minutes later, Nolan returned with the medicine and started disinfecting and bandaging Edward's injured hand."How's the other guy?" Yosef asked."His face is bruised. He took a few punches to the stomach, and there are injuries to his shoulders, arms, and back," Nolan answered.After hearing that, Yosef lifted his foot and kicked Edward hard in the shin. "You've got all that stupid strength but no brain. Maybe you should be thrown in jail to learn your lesson!""But it was nothing serious, sir. Don't worry," Nolan added hastily. Yosef drew his leg back and then heard Edward ask hoarsely, "What about Macie? How bad is her heel?""It was scraped pretty badly, but the worst of it is her tailbone. She said she slipped when getting out of the car," Nolan responded.After hearing that, Edward bolted upright. He tried to get out of the car, but Yosef yanked him back by the collar. Nolan also jumped in to block him. "Let me go, Grandpa! Macie's hurt. I need to go see her!"
Yosef shook his head as he watched Edward break down once more. Edward hadn't cried once since his parents' divorce in middle school. But now, he was crying over a woman.So, what could Yosef say or do? Should he comfort him? Edward had it coming. Meanwhile, across the street, Julian was driving Macie home. Neither of them spoke, and he didn't ask about Edward. He was waiting for her to open up. After what felt like an endless silence, Macie finally looked out into the night and spoke softly. "I didn't actually go abroad these past two years. I married Edward instead. I'm sorry I lied to you. "He and I are divorced now. I wanted to leave that marriage behind and move on, but I didn't expect him to refuse to let go."As Julian drove, he stole a glance at Macie from the corner of his eye. Her expression was calm, but he sensed that her sadness was deep, heavy, and unmoving.Thinking back to how calm and withdrawn she had been when they reunited a week ago, he finally understoo
When Macie heard that Edward had driven Sharon away, she was a little surprised. Alice was even more shocked, but Macie quickly said coldly, "I really did get divorced. He's the one who keeps pestering me. We're going to court next week." She glanced at Sharon. "Once that's over, Edward and I will have nothing to do with each other. Don't believe me? Come to the court yourself."Sharon frowned when she heard that, clearly unconvinced.What if they went to court and the divorce didn't go through? Then she would just end up being played yet again."May's right. She and that scumbag Edward are definitely getting divorced," Alice said mockingly. "You're the only one who still treats him like he's some kind of prize. No one else gives a damn. "You two had better lock it down. When you get married, I'll show up with a gift and wish you all the happiness in the world."Sharon shot Alice a glare. Wasn't this the same woman who had bragged last time that Edward was about to marry her?
Sean couldn't help but think to himself that he'd really gone too far. He wondered how he was any different from the bullies who had tormented Macie.He remembered how Macie had looked that morning with her anger held back, forced to endure his teasing with a fake smile. Meanwhile, he found it amusing, as if it were some kind of game to him.He couldn't believe what a monster he had been.Macie's quiet demeanor was the result of years of enduring suffering, with her anger only surfacing when she was pushed too far.Macie was a young woman with a vintage landscape as her profile picture—someone who had already seen the world's harshness and matured well beyond her years. And all of this was the result of childhood trauma and constant bullying. At this moment, Sean could no longer dismiss what Alice had told him. He fully believed her now. …After returning to her private office downstairs, Alice didn't dare admit to Macie how spineless she had felt. All she could do was firmly
"Stop it right now. Don't bully my friend anymore, or I swear I won't let you off easy," Alice warned. However, Sean didn't even flinch, arrogantly ignoring her threat.Alice was furious, but there was nothing she could do. She wouldn't win if she argued or fought with Sean. He could easily slap her down to the ground, and she wouldn't even be able to get back up. If anyone else had bullied Macie, she would have gone all in, but this person was Sean—her brother, the one who had always pushed her around since they were kids.Alice sighed, moving from anger to helplessness, feeling stuck and useless. She couldn't protect Macie and felt she wasn't a good friend. "Macie has already been through enough. Can't you show a little compassion? Stop bullying an innocent, vulnerable lady!" Alice tried softening her tone. "You don't know how much Macie has suffered. Do you even have an ounce of human decency?" She switched tactics, telling him everything she knew about Macie's past and th
It looked like Macie hadn't just been flustered—she'd fully entered rage monster mode. Sean could imagine her fists flew, as if they could actually do damage, even though they barely stung. He genuinely found it endearing.When Sean finished reading the last screenshot, he closed the chat and saw a new message from Alice. Her text read, "So, are you going to explain why you were flirting with my friend? "And what about the things you said to Edward last night? It sounds like you meant what you said. You weren't just playing along with me."Did you put your arm around Macie's waist? Hold her hand? You had better come clean!" Sean just typed a simple response. He typed, "Go ask her if I did that." Alice, on the other end, was speechless.Sometimes, Alice really wondered if Sean was just a brooding, black-bellied guy with an obsession with keeping things mysterious. She didn't respond right away. Instead, she stormed over to his office, yanked a chair out, and took a seat rig
Alice immediately called Macie, venting all her frustration about Sean. She cursed him as much as she could, even bringing up stories from their childhood to illustrate just how terrible he had been.Macie listened to how Alice described her miserable childhood, living under the shadow of Sean, enduring various "torments".As Alice spoke, Macie couldn't help but picture that insufferable face, and she felt that it wasn't surprising he could do such things. If he treated his own sister that way, what would he do to her? Indeed, some people's bad habits formed when they were young. Macie felt sympathy for Alice, and what started as one person venting turned into a united front, two people joining in on the complaints."Ugh, my brother's the worst. When we were kids, he ripped the ears off my plush bunny, and then claimed it was the turtle pillow that did it." Alice continued, venting, "I love cake, but I got cavities. He'd eat it right in front of me and mock me for not being able
Not far from Macie's workstation, Lily had been listening to their conversation, especially when Macie, with a hint of pride, casually mentioned her good relationship with Sean. Lily's fists tightened, and a flash of hatred and jealousy crossed her eyes. There was also a sense of helplessness and resentment. Julian hadn't fired her, but had only made her apologize publicly in the company's group chat, and now this happened.Macie was not only Alice's friend, but she also had a close relationship with Sean. Moreover, Julian clearly favored Macie, openly confessing his admiration for her.Macie's relationships within the department would only be stronger. Her promotion to team leader would only be a matter of time. Lily had crossed her, and sooner or later, she'd be the one getting sidelined. Lily was already worried about her future and deeply regretted causing trouble for Macie on her first day. She shouldn't have tried to embarrass her last night either. At her desk, with ju
Now that Macie knew who Sean was, she was sure she wouldn't just sit there and take it like she did that day if he ever visited again."It's my fault. I didn't know that Mr. Hart and Macie had a history," Palmer said, breaking the silence."I didn't know either," Macie replied, her voice tight. "And even if I had known, I still wouldn't have recognized Sean. I would've gone to the meeting, and I'd have still been bullied."She clenched her fists, anger rising inside her. She didn't owe Sean anything. Indeed, the two companies were collaborating, but she couldn't understand why he should make her his personal target.Still, she couldn't care less now. She would let him think whatever he wanted. He was the one who crossed the line first. Back in the design department, only Macie and Palmer remained. Palmer, still curious, asked, "Macie, did you offend Mr. Hart?" That seemed to be the only explanation for Sean's strange behavior that day. Although there had been some "tension" bet
Macie managed to hold back her anger, reminding herself that Sean was a client and that her supervisor had emphasized how important this collaboration was.Sean smiled at her. He was still watching Macie, who was silently glaring at him. He then casually pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to her.Macie glanced down at the card. Despite not wanting to take it, she accepted it out of politeness and flipped it over to read it.In bold, gold letters, it read, "Chief Executive Officer, Hart Group."Macie froze for a moment when she read "Hart Group". She was familiar with the name because it was Alice's family's company. And then, her eyes landed on Sean's printed name. She began to wonder if he was related to Alice.Suddenly, she looked up, her gaze shifting toward the elevator. No wonder he had seemed familiar—she now realized his features resembled Alice's.The answer was almost painfully obvious.Inside the elevator, Sean stood in front of his employees, smili
Macie clenched her fists, gritting her teeth as she took two steps forward and said, "You say five minutes, then five minutes it is. There's no need to bother the technician." She tried to remain calm, though inside she felt a little flustered. The idea that Sean would actually want to check the security footage over something so trivial seemed ridiculous. However, the fact that Sean was so insistent, almost as if he were out to get her, left her feeling uneasy. Sean, sensing her discomfort, stepped to the side and casually said, "Ms. Smith, you were so adamant in denying it earlier. Let's just check the footage anyway. I said I'd apologize if I were wrong. You have my word as a man." He was so precise with the timing, down to the second, and had even given her his solemn word. Macie couldn't help but snap. She looked up at him and, unable to hold back her anger anymore, said, "Then shouldn't you be apologizing to me for what happened that night?"I already explained everythin