Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Not long after, I received Melanie’s texts..
Melanie: [Don’t think you can use divorce as a threat to steal Steve’s love!]
Melanie: [He loves me, Steve’s company, his money, his house–everything will be mine.]
Melanie: [I’m about to become the boss’s wife!]
I replied to her calmly.
Anya: [Well, the truth is, you’re just a mistress.]
Melanie shot back.
Melanie: [Only the one who isn’t loved is the mistress.]
Oh, the poor fool. She probably didn’t even know the house was in my name.
Speaking of the company… I created a group chat with a few trusted former colleagues from my old workplace— those who were competent and reliable.
I told them about my new venture and extended an invitation. The pay would be the same, and commissions would only get better.
The response was overwhelming.
[Anya, we’ve had enough of the chaos caused by that woman Mr. Cobham brought in!]
[She acts like she owns the place, demotes anyone who used to have a good relationship with you, and makes life unbearable for the senior staff.]
[Don’t worry, Anya. Just say the word, and we’ll be there!]
Their support reassured me.
Honestly, life really did get better when the dead weight was left behind.
A month later, my new company was up and running.
To my surprise, half the employees from the old company chose to join me.
To celebrate, I held a grand opening party. As I looked around the room, my gaze landed on Liam Gulliver.
Sweat dripped down his face as he worked tirelessly to make sure everything was perfect–from the floral arrangements to the seating to the food and drinks.
He wasn’t like other rich kids who only knew how to bark orders.
Bit by bit, I found myself warming up to him.
The celebration was in full swing, with people raising their glasses and offering congratulations.
“Anya, congrats on the new start!”
That was when the hotel doors swung open, and Steven walked in, his bloodshot eyes scanning the room.
“Anya, you’ve won,” he growled. “Isn’t this what you wanted? To see me defeated, begging at your feet? Fine. I’ll
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admit it. You’ve won.”
I looked at him coolly and replied, “Stop being dramatic. We’re divorced.”
He stepped closer, his tone frantic. “I never signed the divorce papers. We’re still married! I promise you–no more inappropriate touches, no more misunderstandings. I’ll even break things off with Lanie if that’s what you want.”
He suggested, “How about this? I’ll spend weekdays with you and weekends with her. You get three extra days. Fair enough, right?
“But I have a request: give me all the resources from your new company. How’s that?”
There was a collective gasp from the crowd. Even they couldn’t comprehend how shameless Steven could be.
I smirked. “You want a deal? Fine. Sign the divorce papers, and I’ll consider it.”
I pulled out the papers I always kept with me.
Steven hesitated, holding the pen but refusing to sign.
My patience wore thin. I turned to Melanie and spoke up. “Isn’t this exactly what you schemed for, to get him all to yourself?”
My eyes landed on her stomach as I pressed, “Besides, aren’t you pregnant? What are you waiting for? Tell him to sign!”
Melanie cradled her belly after my words, urging, “Steve, the baby just kicked me. He’s telling you to sign the papers!”
Hearing that, Steven immediately scribbled his name on the document.
Good.
Before leaving, he muttered, “Anya, you’d better not be playing me.”
I smiled faintly. “Of course not.”
After all, 1% of a deal was still a deal, right?
With that chapter closed, I threw myself into work. My new company grew quickly, thanks to the combined efforts of my team.
My interaction with Liam grew as well.
Unlike Steven, Liam was attentive and genuine. It was reassuring.
The world didn’t lack romance and novelty. Only steadfastly choosing the same person despite the circumstances would always make one’s heart thump.
As for Steven’s company? It crumbled.
With so many employees leaving and suppliers switching to us, his operations ground to a halt. Even basic payroll became a problem.
Desperate, Steven gambled everything on a single project–a supposed “lifeline.” It turned out to be a complete scam. He lost everything he had and ended up deeply in debt.
Not that any of this concerned me. Greed always led to ruin. All of Steven’s decisions were his own choices.
2/3
Chaptery
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One evening, fresh off a successful project bid, I was celebrating with colleagues at a hotel when Steven showed up uninvited.
His face was pale, his eyes hollow, and his hair unkempt. He looked like a shadow of his former self–like he had aged a decade overnight.
The moment he saw me, he dropped to his knees.
“Anya, I was wrong,” he choked out. “Why didn’t you tell me about the miscarriage? Frank told me… He said you lost the baby because you were negotiating a deal for the company, pushing yourself too hard…”
He begged, “Anya, please. Give me another chance. Let me make it up to you–both of you.”
