Chapter 3

The message had barely gone through.

The next second, Darrell called and started shouting at me.

"Althea, what's with the snide little tone!"

"We just closed a big deal today. Everyone's in a good mood, and here you are trying to ruin it again, is that it!"

Then, off to the side, Luna said in an injured little voice,

"Darrell, don't scold Althea. She probably just feels bad because today's your wedding anniversary, and you're not with her, you're with me instead."

"The project's done now anyway, so why don't you head back first. I'll handle the afternoon accounts myself."

But Darrell said coldly,

"No. How are you supposed to get through all those accounts on your own? If she wants to make a scene, then let her make a scene."

"I'm starting to see it. The second I'm with you, Luna, she goes looking for trouble!"

"Now she throws a fit over a simple meal. I've clearly spoiled her rotten!"

Then he turned and lit into me again.

"Althea, do you think you actually matter to me?"

"Don't forget, everything you eat, drink, and live in comes from me. On your own, you're worthless!"

Just then, someone muttered, low.

"Mr. Henson, why don't you just spell it out for her. She doesn't deserve you at all."

I heard Darrell tell the person to shut up.

I didn't question him further.

I just found their clumsy little act laughable.

Before, when the two of them got too close, I used to remind Darrell.

At first, he'd still explain himself to me.

Later it turned into thick, open impatience.

And over time.

Unreasonable.

Petty.

Gold digger.

In his mouth, those became my names.

He'd tear into me until I was in pieces, then come back and coax me.

Spinning the whole thing so it looked like I was the one being unreasonable.

And I, so deep in love with him, kept lying to myself.

But now the evidence was solid, and he still wanted to run the same old trick.

Did he take me for a fool!

Right now, I gave a faint, cold laugh.

"Darrell, and how exactly do you plan to stop being nice?"

"Divorce? Fine. I'll be waiting."

At those words, the phone went quiet for a beat.

"Althea, I'm at work. Are you done or not—?!"

I hung up before he could finish.

That night Darrell called several times, and I rejected every one.

Early the next morning, I'd just gotten up when the bedroom door was flung open.

Darrell walked in, glaring at me with a face full of fury.

"Althea, have you made enough of a scene!"

"You dare threaten me with divorce? You really think I won't go through with it?!"

I frowned.

Just as I was about to speak, Luna came in from the doorway.

She looked at me with a smile all over her face.

"Althea, you know I work at the same company as Darrell."

"We're not in the same department, but yesterday I only went along to help him pitch a project. Bringing up divorce over something this small, isn't that a bit of an overreaction?"

She walked over and patted my shoulder.

"Althea, as a woman, some things are better handled with a little grace. After all, if you're going to live off a man, it goes down easier if you keep it soft."

My face darkened, and I slapped her hand away.

I let out a scoff.

"You want me to show grace?"

"Sure. Then go get married yourself, let your husband go roll around in bed with someone else and have a kid, and you show a little grace too."

At my words, their expressions changed.

They exchanged a look, and then Luna forced a dry laugh.

"Althea, didn't I just say it? I only went out with Darrell that one time. That was a bit much of you to say."

Darrell glared at me too, furious.

"Althea, are you sick in the head? How can you talk to Luna like that!"

"She came here today just to clear things up with you in person!"

"Apologize to her, now!"

I laughed coldly.

"Apologize? Like she deserves one?"

Hearing that, Luna instantly looked wounded.

"Darrell, forget it. It seems the only way to calm Althea down is for me to leave you completely."

"I should just go."

She turned to leave.

Darrell hurried after her.

On his way out he cursed at me,

"Althea, don't throw away the face I'm giving you! I'll give you one last chance to reflect. When I get back, I want to see you apologize to Luna!"

With that, he rushed out the door.