Chapter 10: The Endgame
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.
Julian finally spoke, his voice softer. “I was too anxious then. I didn’t mean to…”
“Stop,” I interrupted, my stomach turning at every word he uttered. “Whether you meant it or not doesn’t change the fact that you did it.”
“Okay, okay, it’s my fault. It’s all my fault. Just tell me where the hell you are!”
“I told you, I’m going back.”
“You have to come back tonight. I’ll search the entire city if I have to!” His voice escalated, his anger creeping in.
I relented, knowing that I couldn’t hide forever from someone as obsessive as him. “Fine, I’ll be home in an hour,” I said, though I didn’t want to reveal where I was staying.
Sherry, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white, glanced at me. “After all his betrayals, he still parades that entitled arrogance—the temper, the suffocating control…” Her voice wavered, betraying her frustration. “If he finds out you tricked him into signing the divorce papers, I fear what he’ll do. He might just choke the life out of you.”
I stared at the city’s constellation of lights, my smile sharp as a blade. “Then I’ll keep arsenic in my purse. Let’s see who gets to hell first.”
When I arrived home, Julian rushed toward me, his face twisted in a mixture of worry and irritation.
I glanced up at him while changing my shoes. As I bent down, the pain from my back flared, causing my brow to furrow. Julian instinctively reached out to help, but I shoved him away.
“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, the pain from my wound intensifying with the movement.
He hesitated, his mixed feelings apparent, before following me into the room. Taking out his phone, he said, “I installed a monitor in my office. You can check it anytime you want.”
I was taken aback. I hadn’t expected him to do that. Looking at the screen, I asked with a smirk, “Afraid I’m going to catch you off guard again and embarrass your sweetheart?”
Julian quickly defended himself. “I have nothing to do with her. I mean it.”
“Well, I admit, she’s funny and cute, but she’s like a sister to me. Her father sent her to my office so she could learn from me,” he explained, his tone defensive. “I’m signing a contract with the Crowes next week. Can I refuse such a small request from them?”
What a convenient excuse.
I could tell he was trying to justify himself, but it still felt hollow. If this was truly about corporate interests, why was he indulging her whims to this extent—even at the cost of hurting his wife?
Since when did he become so hypocritical?
I looked at him with disdain. After a pause, I said, “Oh, I see. She’s just a sister to you. But why would she say you spent many nights together? You sleep with your sister?”
“… Like I said, she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
“She’s full of nonsense, and you think it’s funny and cute?”
Julian sighed, his shoulders slumping. “In short, there’s nothing between us. Go travel first. When you come back, we’ll start trying for a baby. You can stay home, all comfortable—like Mrs. Shaw. Don’t worry, the title is always yours. I’ll stay faithful.”
A sarcastic smile crept onto my face as I watched him. So, just because he pinky-promised I’d forever be Mrs. Right, I was supposed to play dumb while he continued to screw around?
But why should I fulfill his wishes? He cheated for thrills—vacationing with Rita, sleeping with her, watching sunrises. Each betrayal sliced my heart. Now he expected me to glue the pieces back together, just so I could bear his children and grow old with him? What a selfish monster.
“Honey, I love you,” Julian said, misunderstanding my forced smile as forgiveness, pulling me into a tight hug like a tragic romance hero.
But there were no waves in my heart. The more I saw him, the more I was resolved to leave him.
Julian helped me upstairs and called the family doctor to check on my back injury.
“No broken bones,” the doctor confirmed. Julian let out a relieved sigh.
As I entered the bathroom, Julian followed me.
“Let me help you,” he said, his voice soft.
“No need,” I replied sharply. If his hands—still stained with her scent—touched me now, I’d seriously consider arsenic-laced coffee.
Julian sensed my resistance and frowned, but he dared not upset me again.
“I’ll be outside the door. If you need me, call me,” he offered.
I nodded, forcing a smile. “Sure, I’ll let you know.” But the truth was, I’d rather die in pain than call him.
Later, emerging in silk pajamas, I found him standing guard outside the door. The steam from my shower curled around me, and my flushed skin glistened in the soft light. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me.
I walked to the bed, preparing to sleep. “I have a pain in my back. If you want to do something tonight, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.”
Julian hugged me from behind, kissing my shoulder. “I’ll be gentle…”
“Too tired. Too sore. Not happening!” I replied, my voice firm.
He looked depressed, but he didn’t push further.
“Good night,” he said, leaving the room.
The next day, I didn’t go to work. Instead, I personally contacted my staff, invited them to dinner, and told them I was leaving. Everyone was visibly upset, some expressing surprise, others sadness. They all knew I was Julian’s girlfriend.
At first, some of them had whispered that I’d slept my way to the top. But when I started delivering projects and closing deals, they realized I was far more capable than they had assumed. I could code circles around the engineers and charm clients better than the sales team. For the last few years, I had cared more about the company than Julian ever did. Closing deals was more exhilarating than any glass of champagne.
They even joked that I was working so hard to win Julian over. And now, here I was—quitting.
“I’m sorry to bail like this,” I said, clinking my beer bottle against theirs. “But I have to leave. You’ll do great without me—call me if you need anything.”
One woman, my subordinate since day one, cried. My departure felt like yanking the motherboard out of their computer.
But everyone understood. The whole office knew about Julian’s affair with Rita, and that I had walked in on them half-naked in his office just last week.
One of my colleagues asked what my plans were. I shrugged, “Still thinking it over.”
“Ms. Frost, maybe you should check out Jones Group. I hear their new CEO is really capable and looking for someone.”
