Chapter 4

"No, thank you." I stepped aside to walk past him.

He blocked me, forcing the bag into my hands again.

"I made this specifically for you. Just take it."

The bag stayed in my hands for a brief second before I shoved it back into his chest.

"I said, no."

"What else do you want from me, Chloe? I literally got up and made you breakfast. Can't you just take the win and give me a break?"

"Take the win?" I almost laughed out loud. "You made me breakfast once, and I'm supposed to be crying tears of gratitude? What about me? “

“I cooked dinner for you for five straight years. Did you ever say thank you once?"

His expression stiffened.

"That's different."

"How is it different? Oh, right. The dinner I made was just my duty, but your breakfast is a sacred gift reserved only for your special coworker, right?"

"I told you, it was just a favor for a colleague!"

"Then why didn't you make breakfast for the male colleagues in your department? Why didn't you make it for Sarah? Or Dave?”

“ There are plenty of people in your office with bad stomachs, Ethan. Why didn't you pack breakfast for all of them?"

He had no answer.

Right then, a familiar voice called out from the side.

"Morning, Chloe."

It was Liam.

He was holding a paper bag from our favorite bakery. He walked up to me and smiled warmly.

"You mentioned yesterday that you loved the sourdough sandwiches from the place downstairs. I passed by it this morning and grabbed one for you."

He handed me the bag. I took it.

It was still warm.

I looked at Liam. He was wearing a clean white button-down, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, looking effortlessly put-together.

He actually knew what kind of sandwiches I liked.

We had only been working together for two years, yet he knew my tastes better than the man I had slept next to for five.

I turned around to face my husband.

I held up the paper bag Liam had just given me.

"I prefer this breakfast."

Ethan's eyes instantly turned red with fury.

"You're cheating on me!"

I looked him dead in the eye and spoke slowly, emphasizing every word.

"I already asked for a divorce, Ethan. You're the one refusing to sign the papers. You don't get to call this cheating."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked into the building.

Liam followed half a step behind me, naturally positioning himself to block Ethan from coming any closer.

My workday had barely started when I found myself in the main conference room, which was packed with people.

I was in the middle of presenting our project proposal when a loud commotion erupted outside the glass doors.

The door was slammed open.

Ethan stood at the entrance, his eyes bloodshot, his hair a messy ruin.

Two terrified receptionists were trying to hold him back.

"Sir, you cannot go in there!"

Every single person in the conference room turned to look.

My department manager pushed up his glasses, his eyes darting back and forth between Ethan and me.

I sat in my chair, holding the laser pointer, watching him barge in like an uncontrolled, rabid beast.

"You are coming home with me right now. We are going to settle this."

The room was so quiet you could hear the hum of the AC.

I stood up, keeping my voice low and controlled.

"I am in a meeting."

"I don't give a damn about your meeting! You are leaving with me right now!"

"By what right are you ordering me around?"

Liam stood up from his seat, stepping in front of me.

"Sir, we are in the middle of an official presentation. I'm going to have to ask you to leave—"

"This has nothing to do with you! Are you the bastard who—"

He didn't finish his sentence, but his glare was locked onto Liam.

Liam remained perfectly calm, his expression unbothered.

Within seconds, two security guards arrived, grabbing Ethan by his arms and dragging him out of the room.

He struggled, thrashing wildly as he looked back at me, his voice carrying a desperate plea.

"You can't treat me like this, Chloe! You know how much I've done for you!"