Semua Bab So-Called Happiness: Bab 1 - Bab 9

"I want to get a job," I said.Gideon laughed, "Seriously? Maybe come to my company and mop floors. Vesper is fresh out of college, and you're not even on the same level."Before I could respond, Vesper came out of the bedroom."Babe, how do I look? Good?" She was wearing a dress Gideon bought yearly for his first love.When I once touched it while cleaning, he only slapped me.Now, he eyed Vesper with satisfaction. "Perfect. Wear anything you like."Vesper flaunted it, turning to me. "Don't I look amazing?""Yes. It suits you." I nodded.She froze, surprised by my response. I ignored them and went back to my room.In three days, I'd be gone. It was time to pack up....I had just laid down when Gideon called."Vesper needs a ride to campus. Drive her," he said.I frowned. "Don't we have a driver?"Rejected by me the second time, he couldn't hold back his anger. "What's with you? Can't do one thing?"Before he blew up, I agreed, "Okay.""See? That wasn't hard," he snort

Gideon said chorizo smells shamed the Strathmore name, and I wasn't allowed to laugh or talk loudly in public.For eight years, I was his emotionless puppet.Now freedom's scent hit, and my eyes stung.When I got home at ten, Gideon was sitting in the living room with a sullen expression. He had called a dozen times, but I had answered none."Where have you been?" he asked sternly.I changed my shoes and washed my hands before answering coolly, "Ate with a friend."He stepped closer, smelled the sliders, and immediately covered his nose."I told you not to have sliders. You stink," he complained."Vesper eats them, and it's fine?" I shot back.His disgust grew. "You're not her. Besides, she's an outsider."I didn't argue further, aware of his prejudice toward me.It was fine. Soon enough, I'd be an outsider too....Maren flew abroad the next day for business, while I had a lawyer draft the divorce agreement that stated my leave with nothing.I skimmed through it and sign

Gideon saw the contract's end date and associated it with the changes in my attitude.He couldn't believe my care for him was only because of the contract."No. You don't leave without my say-so," he muttered, ordering his assistant to track me down....Far away in Eiskald, I had no clue about his situation.At that moment, I was discussing product data with Cassian.Out of work for so long, I struggled at first, but the discomfort was dulled by the fast pace.Recently, we landed a skincare project. Cassian and I led the team, working late.As we finalized the results, my phone rang.It was a servant and one of the few who knew about my leave.He mentioned Gideon's recent grumpiness at home. The chef's food didn't suit him, and the staff trod carefully every day, afraid of his outbursts.He had sent people to look for me. When they failed, he gave up and let Vesper move in.I wasn't surprised by the news at all. Gideon looked for me only because my leaving bruised his ego.

An insider leaked: [Gideon was married eight years ago. The recent ceremony was with his mistress.]The internet exploded.People flooded the comments, digging for details. The insider spilled about me and Gideon, and it hit the headlines.Crowds swarmed Vesper's vlog, asking if she was the other woman.On the same day, she posted a video, begging me to give Gideon back and not ruin their relationship.She dodged the question, leading people to think I was the real mistress.As I clicked my tongue at her spin, Gideon posted a video, admitting to cheating.That nailed Vesper as the mistress. Furious fans turned on her.[Shameless mistress acting all high and mighty.][A college grad stooping to be the other woman? Gross!]...Vesper didn't expect Gideon to ditch the wedding and expose her.She called him, but he didn't answer.Frustrated, she went to his house. The butler was packing her stuff. She grabbed him and demanded, "Where is Gideon?"He shook her off and assumed