Chapter 3
I thought our encounter at the restaurant would be my last interaction with Theo before leaving the country.
But on the very night I officially resigned from my position as Theo’s assistant, he actually video–called me.
This was absolutely unprecedented–so much so that I physically stopped myself from hanging up and switched to voice–only instead.
His voice was clearly annoyed“Why’d you switch to voice?”
I brushed him off casually“I’m not wearing makeup. Not convenient for video.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. The whole “women dress up for those they want to please” thing–it sounded like I still wanted to impress him.
Sure enough, Theo laughed, suddenly in a great mood.
“Come on, we’d been together for many year. What haven’t I seen?”
His flirtatious tone made my skin crawl, so I asked coldly“What do you want?”
He picked up on the distance in my voice immediately, dropping his lazy posture and sitting up straight“Jack told me you quit?”
“Mm.” I wasn’t planning on explaining.
The silence stretched between us.
Theo’s tone was teasing, but it felt like he was just making conversation.
“Probably for the best. I mean, what were you thinking? You had it made as the CEO’s wife, but you insisted on being an assistant–talk about creating problems for yourself.”
“Though honestly, you barely showed up to work anyway. I hardly ever saw you at the office, but I still had to pay you every month.
The whole company knew you were there because of me–everyone said I was playing favorites.”
I cut him off impatiently“Don’t you need to go keep Astrid company?”
Theo couldn’t help but mutter“It’s not like we have anything going on. What’s there to keep her company for?”
But then he went quiet, suddenly realizing that I was just his ex–wife too.
Theo’s voice turned guilty” About the divorce… I’m sorry.”
“I just didn’t want people talking shit about Astrid if we stayed married…”
12:08
Seven Times Divorced by My Ex–Husband–Now I’m Back as the Empire’s Untouchable Heiress!
1.8%
Chapter 3
I nodded.
Right. Astrid shouldn’t have to deal with gossip.
So I should be the one turned into a laughingstock, the subject of everyone’s idle chatter!
My voice grew icier“If that’s all, I’m hanging up.”
“Wait!”
Theo sounded panicked“The 12th is our wedding anniversary. There’s a Jason Miller concert that night–I know you wanted to go.I’ll take you. We can go together, okay?”
For a split second, I almost told him the truth.
But before I could say anything, Astrid’s voice drifted over from his end“Theo, I forgot to grab a towel. Could you get one for me?”
Theo didn’t respond right away. He just stared at my name on his phone screen, looking conflicted.
I said flatly“Go ahead.”
Only then did he slowly get up, but he didn’t put the phone down.
“Marina, just… wait for me, okay? I’ll be right back.”
Then he headed toward the bathroom.
Predictably, I heard the sounds of Theo and Astrid kissing, followed by his muffled groan, then the bathroom door slamming shut.
I hung up with a mocking smile.
Just then, Camilla burst in excitedly, wanting to drag me out clubbing.
Without hesitation, I put down my phone and got up to link arms with her.
There were so many things in this world that could make me happy.
I’d been blind to them before, but now? Why should I waste another second feeling sorry about a fucking guy who was completely become my past?
12:08
