Chapter 4

When the approval notification pinged my inbox, I quietly began packing my personal belongings.

I had worried Dominic might hold up my exit paperwork to be difficult.

Turns out, I flattered myself.

This worked out perfectly. It meant nothing would delay my start date in New York.

As I wrapped up, my phone lit up with a text from Dominic:

I'm taking Vivian to a movie. Go home by yourself.

Just like that. A casual notice that he was spending the evening with another woman.

No apology. No acknowledgment of the morning's argument.

I set the phone face down, taped up my cardboard box, and headed for the elevators.

I knew carrying a box of personal effects down the staff elevator would fuel office gossip.

I didn't give a damn.

Over the past year, hadn't I gotten used to it?

As the CEO's wife, I rode the crowded employee elevators, ate in the regular cafeteria, and commuted completely separately from him.

Everyone knew I was married to Dominic Sterling. Everyone also knew I held zero privilege.

He always claimed he believed in keeping church and state separate.

Yet those rigid principles never applied to Vivian.

Downstairs on the curb, I hailed a cab.

Employees walking past stared with wide eyes. By tonight, the internal group chats would be buzzing with rumors that the boss's wife had been kicked to the curb.

Across the street, Dominic's black Maybach pulled up to the curb.

Vivian slid into the passenger seat. Dominic leaned over, gently clicking her seatbelt into place with practiced ease.

A memory flashed unbidden.

Whenever I rode in his car, he never touched my seatbelt.

Once, I had waited, playfully hinting for him to help. He had merely glanced over and said coolly:

"You don't know how to buckle yourself in?"

He knew how to be attentive.

He just reserved it for someone else.

Standing on the bustling sidewalk, I let out a soft, mocking breath.

I climbed into my cab without looking back.

I made a quick stop at the penthouse to grab my passport, legal IDs, and essential clothes, then checked into a hotel near the airport.

For two days, I didn't set foot in the Sterling residence. By Friday morning, my project handovers were complete.

I went to Dominic's office one last time to drop off the portfolio for the upcoming international expo, my final pending assignment.

Seeing me walk in, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He stayed silent, waiting for me to apologize first.

I dropped the leather binder on his desk and turned to leave.

Dominic couldn't hold back.

"How much longer are you going to keep up this childish act?"

His tone treated me like a petulant kid throwing a tantrum.

I paused, looking back with an expressionless face.

"No idea."

I heard his breath catch, followed by a harsh, dismissive scoff.

"I've spoiled you too much. Let's see how long you last out there without me."

I didn't waste my breath. I walked out into the corridor.

My phone chimed with an airline alert: Check-in is now open for your flight to New York tomorrow.

Stepping out of the glass tower into the autumn sunlight, I looked up at the sky and smiled.

Live your life, Dominic. I'm finally letting you go.

By Friday afternoon, Dominic finally wrapped his meetings. Checking his watch, he remembered something and buzzed his assistant.

"Did you lock down the bridal studio I asked about?"

His assistant nodded promptly.

"All set, Mr. Sterling. The entire boutique is reserved for Saturday afternoon. The master photographer, glam team, and couture gowns are ready."

Dominic gave a satisfied nod.

Their initial marriage had been rushed.

This time, he had personally selected the best design team and private venue in the state.

Imagining Nora in a wedding dress, a rare, genuine tenderness softened his features.

"We had a minor disagreement lately," Dominic muttered, his mood significantly lifting. "Consider this my peace offering."

He couldn't wait to see the shock and delight on her face.

Smiling faintly, Dominic picked up the intercom and dialed the design department.

"Have Nora Vance come up to my office."

The line went dead silent for two full seconds before a timid voice answered.

"Mr. Sterling, Nora resigned two days ago."