The End of the Marriage

I forced down the fire burning in my chest and ground out through clenched teeth, "Don't worry, Julian. I'm not that pathetic yet. I just hope you don't end up regretting this decision someday."

But even as I said that, Julian still looked at me with suspicion, as though I were capable of pulling some cheap trick. I removed my employee badge and slapped it down on the conference table in front of everyone, the sound sharp and final.

I turned to leave—only for Julian to call out behind me.

For a fleeting second, I thought he had come to his senses. But instead, he said flatly, "Since everything's out in the open now, I won't bother pretending anymore. Let's get a divorce, Skye. I've never loved you—not once in all these years."

A short, bitter laugh escaped me. "Relax, I'm not delusional enough to think you ever did."

His declaration didn't even surprise me. Did he really think that after everything he'd done, I still cared? Even if he hadn't brought up divorce, I would have filed the papers myself the next day.

We'd been married for five years, but it had always been in name only. We shared a roof but not a bed, keeping up appearances solely for Edward's sake. Outside of that, our lives barely intersected.

Before Julian could say more, the onlookers around us began chiming in with nauseating flattery.

"Mr. Fraser really made the right call! Can't imagine what he ever saw in her."

"Exactly. She's useless—never deserved him in the first place."

"Good thing it's only been a few years. Better to cut your losses early."

I could feel the chill radiating off him, his indifference like a slap. I turned back to face him. "Have you thought about how you're going to explain this to Old Mr. Fraser?"

That question made him falter for a heartbeat. His brow furrowed as he snapped, "That's none of your concern! Just get out. I'll handle Grandpa myself."

Then, as if something amused him, his lips curved faintly. After five years of marriage, I didn't need words to know exactly what that look meant. He must have already found someone else and was planning to tell Edward after the fact, counting on his grandfather's affection to shield him.

The thought made me scoff. "What's so funny, Julian? Thinking about your replacement already?"

Julian's half-smile vanished instantly. He glared at me for a long moment before spitting out, "That's none of your business. Even if I do, she'll be a thousand times better than you. You're about to leave this company—you have no right to comment on its future."

His words drew another round of sycophantic agreement from the crowd.

"Mr. Fraser's taste is impeccable. Anyone would be better than her."

"Just leave already! Aren't you embarrassed, clinging like this?"

The secretary, clearly annoyed by my very presence, gestured toward the door.

Not wanting to waste another moment on them, I cut to the chase. "Fine. But before I go, let's make one thing clear—my firewall, the one I personally designed, is my intellectual property. It's patented. If I'm leaving, I'm taking it with me. I won't let anyone coast on my work."