Chapter 20
A week had passed with us arguing every time we had the chance. And it was all because of Katie.
After texting my lawyer about initiating the separation, I crawled into bed early. I wrapped the duvet tightly around myself. For the first time in months, my heart felt lighter. It was as if a weight I’d carried for too long had finally begun to lift.
Around midnight, a chime from my phone jolted me awake. I squinted at the screen. It was a message from Jairus.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Vanessa. Let’s talk this through.”
His arrogance made my blood boil. The fact that he didn’t see the damage he’d caused, that he thought this could be fixed with a few words, was laughable.
I tossed the phone aside and turned my back to it. Sleep didn’t come easily, though. Every time I closed my eyes, memories of Katie’s smug smile and Jairus’s dismissive tone replayed in my
The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed. Ind like a haunting loop.
determined to reclaim my life, even if I had no idea where to start. As I scrolled through my emails over coffee, a notification from Katie’s social media popped up.”
Against my better judgment, I clicked on it.N
I couldn’t be wrong.
In the picture was Jairus and Katie, arm in arm, standing in front of a sleek black car.
Her caption read: “When life gives you the right partner, everything else falls into place.“}]
A sharp laugh escaped me. The audacity was impressive, I’d give her that. They weren’t even subtle anymore.”
At work, Jairus was already in the conference room when I arrived. He looked as composed as ever. None of our colleagues knew about our relationship. Jairus had insisted we keep it a secret, citing company policies, though I suspected it was more about maintaining his image as the untouchable CEO.M
“Vanessa,” he called out as I passed the glass doors.
I paused, forcing a neutral expression. “Yes?“}
“Step inside for a moment,” he said, motioning to the chair opposite his.
Reluctantly, I entered. My stomach knotted with unease. Katie wasn’t in sight, but her perfume lingered in the air.
Once the door closed, Jairus leaned back in his chair. He scanned me like I was an uncooperative employee. “About last night,” he began. He softened his tone, maybe thinking kindness would make me forget everything.”
“I’m not interested in discussing it,” I interrupted.
He frowned, clearly unused to being shut down. “Vanessa, I know you’re upset, but we’ve been through worse. Let’s not make rash decisions.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Rash decisions? You’ve been erasing me from our life for months, Jairus. I’m just catching up.“} His jaw tightened. And for a moment, his mask slipped, revealing his frustration. “You’re being unfair. You know how demanding my job is. I’ve been trying to provide for us, for the future we’ve talked about.“@
“Our future?” I couldn’t help myself from raising my voice. “You mean the one where you play house with Katie while I sit in the background, waiting for scraps of your attention?“}
Jairus’s phone buzzed on the table between us. He glanced at the screen.
I followed his gaze. Katie’s name flashed brightly.”
He hesitated, but the pull was too strong. Picking up the phone, he stepped toward the window. He lowered his voice but I could still hear the words he said clearly. “Katie, I’m in the middle of something. I’ll call you back.“}
The blatant dismissal stung more than I wanted to admit. As he ended the call, I grabbed the folder I’d brought into the room and stood.
“This is pointless,” I muttered, heading for the door.”
“Vanessa, wait.“”
I turned with my hand on the doorknob. “For what? Another excuse? Another lie?“}
Jairus stared at me. His usually confident expression began to falter. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
Without another word, I walked out.”
Back at my desk, I tried to focus on my tasks. But my thoughts kept drifting. Memories of our early days together filled my mind. How he used to surprise me with little notes tucked into my bag. How he’d hold my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. That version of Jairus felt like a stranger now.
By lunch, I couldn’t bear the suffocating atmosphere of the office anymore. I told my assistant I was stepping out and wandered into the nearby park.
As I sat on a bench, staring at the golden leaves falling around me, my phone buzzed again.”
This time, it was a message from my lawyer.”
“We’ve drafted the separation agreement. Let me know when you’re ready to proceed.“}}
I stared at the message. My fingers kept trembling. It felt like crossing a bridge and burning it behind me, but maybe that’s what I needed.
With a deep breath, I typed back.
