جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

Caroline’s Point of ViewI stare at the divorce papers on the kitchen counter, the crisp white pages mocking me with their emptiness. Weeks have passed, and Knoxx hasn’t signed them yet. I know he’s avoiding it, but I can’t help but feel trapped, like I’m stuck in this limbo, waiting for something that will never come. I can’t keep pretending like things are fine. We’re done.My phone buzzes on the counter, dragging me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen and feel a surge of irritation. Dolly. She just can’t leave me alone, can she? She’s always been impatient, wanting things her way right when she demands them.With a sigh, I pick up the call, bracing myself for what’s about to come.“Caroline,” Dolly’s voice cuts through the silence, sharp and impatient. “What’s taking so long? Why haven’t you gotten divorced yet?”I blink, taken aback by her bluntness. No greeting, no small talk, just straight to her demands. Of course. She always gets right to it, like I owe her something.“G

Caroline’s Point of ViewThe loving couple we played fooled everyone, even Knoxx himself, who now looked like a devoted husband. His hand rests lightly on the small of my back, guiding me through the grand ballroom with ease, and his smile is warm and practiced, as though none of this is fake. To the guests, we’re the perfect picture of a happy couple, but I know the truth.Every glance he gives me, every small gesture, feels rehearsed. It’s all part of the act. The man beside me is the father of another woman’s child. My stomach churns at the thought, but I keep my face calm, offering smiles and polite nods. Tonight, none of this is for me—it’s for Grandpa.When we arrive at the dinner party, the grandeur of the venue hits me. The room is draped in golden fabric that glimmers under the light of massive crystal chandeliers, casting a warm glow across the tables adorned with pristine linens. Elaborate floral arrangements sit in the center of each table, and servers in black-and-white un

Caroline’s Point of ViewI sit in the car, my heart still racing after everything Knoxx just told me. I can’t believe what I’ve just heard, and yet, the way he looked at me—desperate, almost broken—makes me want to believe him. But after everything we’ve been through, trusting him feels like stepping onto thin ice."Caroline, please," Knoxx says quietly, glancing at me from the driver’s seat. "I just need you to understand. I never wanted to hurt you."I lean my head against the window, fingers fidgeting with my phone. The memory of Dolly’s articles and their implications lingers like a shadow I can’t shake.I nod slowly, unsure of what to say. Part of me wants to scream, wants to ask why he didn’t tell me all of this sooner. But another part of me—the part that still loves him—wants to believe him. That part feels foolish, but it’s there, clinging to the hope that things could still change."I just don’t understand," I finally say, my voice edged with frustration. "Why didn’t you tell

Caroline’s Point of ViewI step into my father’s office, the heavy wooden door creaking slightly as it closes behind me. The room feels cold and imposing, just as I remember it—lined with towering bookshelves and dominated by the massive mahogany desk in the center. My father doesn’t look up right away, his pen scratching against paper as he finishes whatever task has his attention.When he finally glances up, his piercing gaze lands on me, dissecting me in an instant. “So,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “What brings you back here, Caroline? Should I take out my finest china to entertain the young master, or is this a solo visit?”I square my shoulders, ignoring the sarcasm that drips from his words. “I lost,” I admit, my voice steady even as the admission slices through me. “I’m going to divorce him.”He sets his pen down, folding his hands neatly on the desk. “Ah,” he says, a bitter smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “The last time you appeared in this office, you wanted

Caroline's Point of ViewI walk into the office for what I swear will be the last time. It’s strange how cold the place feels now—colder than usual. The building has always had this stiff, corporate vibe, but today, it feels almost unbearable. Maybe it’s because I know what I’m here to do: quit. End it all, both my job and my marriage.No one knows I’m Knoxx Wayne’s wife. Not my coworkers, not the higher-ups, no one. Knoxx insisted we keep it a secret. He said it was to avoid favoritism, to maintain professionalism. I convinced myself that made sense, that it wasn’t because he was ashamed or unwilling to acknowledge me publicly. But deep down, I knew better.We were already on the brink of divorce, so quitting my job here seems like the natural next step. There’s no point in working in his company anymore, no point in subjecting myself to the constant reminder of how invisible I am to him. I walk past my coworkers, most of them absorbed in their own tasks, and make my way to his offic