Chapter 34
Back at Casey’s tiny rented apartment, 1 finally felt like I could breathe again.
With Jude’s p
‘s presence scrubbed from every comer, even in the air felt cleaner.
Casey was bustling around–ordering takeout, rinsing fruit, trying everything she could think of to keep me fed and functioning.
When she started searching online for sea cucumbers, 1 quickly reached out to stop her
“Please don’t waste perfectly good sea cucumber on me,” I said, chuckling slightly. “Eggs will do just fine. Sea cucumbers don’t even taste like anything.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, suspicious, and quipped. “You trying to say my cooking sucke
I met her gaze without flinching nodding firmly.
She huffed, lips twitching, and retorted, “Says the woman who burns instant noodles. We’re a disaster match made in heaven”
That got a real laugh out of me. The kind that came from the gut–rare these days.
Then I straightened, my smile fading, and declared, “Casey, I need you to help me and a divorce lawyer.”
She stared at me for a moment, trying to read my expression, and then asked tentatively, “You’re really not going to tell him, are you! If he knew the truth he’d lose it”
1 shook my head. I wasn’t going to tell him.
I’d made sure he’d never find me again–didn’t want him burdened with guilt or obligation.
And now, when there wasn’t even love left between us, what was the point in dragging it out?
“Ada.” Casey said softly, her voice filled with concern, “If you go through with the divorce, and he finds out later–be’s going to hate himself for the rest of his life”
She knew everything that had happened between us. To her, I was the one getting the short end of the stick.
But in my eyes of the truth came out, both of us would be the one’s left bleeding
I said. “He doesn’t love me anymore, Casey. And if all we have left is pity, then what kind of future are we even fighting for?”
1 looked down at my hands, sighing. “Honestly, I haven’t loved him in years
I took a breath, steadying myself, and continued, “Right now, I just want to live. Get through treatment. Who knows–maybe I’ll be a miracle case”
The last part barely made it past my lips because even I didn’t believe it.
I still hated him, yes. But a part of me still cared.
How much, I wasn’t sure.
But the remnants of that feeling were enough to make me want to end this before it turned uglier.
Casey pulled me into a hug and nodded resolinely, “Alright, I’ll find you the best damn lawyer in the city. We’re done with him”
I lowered my gaze. Truth was, I never should’ve started again with Jude in the first place.
one desperate moment, I never would’ve let him back in
that one
Maybe because the way we ended before had been so messy. I’d become a loose thread he couldn’t quite snip off.
But now he had someone else. He should be able to let me go
He didn’t call me at all that day–not even a
I figured Viviana linde fainting spell must’ve kept him busy. His precious new love had passed out in his arms, after all. Why would he care abou the wife he no longer acknowledged!
Honestly, I didn’t mind staying at Cary’s. Leven offered to split the rent. Seemed like a good place to settle for a while.
The next morning at work. I felt surprisingly energized.
Turns out even
out even terminal patients perk up with the right peace of mind.
1/2
Chapter 34
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for the design department–something was clearly off.
I only knew the truth when Ellen came to my desk looking pale and stricken.
“Ada,” she said, her voice quivering. “we can’t reach Mr. Carson. He’s not answering his phone, and the Elitara Group is already here. What should
“No one else could sign the documents; she continued, her eyes pleading, “and no one greeted them. We…”
Ever since the whole Jude mess, the team had been tipineing around anything to do with him unless they absolutely couldn’t help it.
The cooperation with the Ehitara Group had not been finalized yet, so everyone was anxious.
I stood and adjusted my shirt, saying reassuringly, It’s alright. The project’s our responsibility anyway—I’ll go”
Ellen nodded, biting her lip nervously.
When I stepped into the conference room, the look on the client’s face told me everything Cassian Merritt was angry.
Tm so sorry, Mr. Merritt I should’ve been here sooner,” I said, smiling politely, trying to ease the tension.
If we could land the Elitara Group, I wouldn’t have to worry about commissions for the next two years.
I’d happily put up with his bad mood for that.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t in the mood to let me off the book
“You and Mr. Carson must be very busy people, he said coolly, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Too busy to remember you had a meeting with me, it
Of course it was Jude who set up the meeting and then didn’t show.
1 gritted my teeth but kept the smile, explaining. “Something came up. He–he really couldn’t make it
“Then call him” Cassian snapped, pointing directly at me, his voice harsh. “Right now, Let’s see just how busy he really is
Everyone else had their heads down, not daring to breathe too loudly, I pulled out my phone and called Jude.
It was the same this time
I’d almost forgotten–he’d blocked me.
I led to him. “Mr. Merritt, 1–his phone’s off. He must be tied up with something—”
Before I could finish, he pulled out his own phone and held it up for me to see.
“You think I haven’t tried?” he snapped, his face reddening with anger. “Look–I’ve called him a dozen times. This is how little he respects my time.
As he waved his phone in frustration, he accidentally hit the dial button. A few seconds later, someone answered
“Mr. Merritt, I just arrived downstairs. Em terribly sor
The room writ dead side
sorry–please wait a moment,” said Jude.
A moment later, before Jude walked in with Vivian on his arm, Cassian broke a glass and accused, “So you are messing with met
“Are you seriously wasting my time like this?”
