Chapter 9
Not long after I left, Frederick’s heart condition worsened. According to the doctors, he didn’t have many years left.
Mandy was devastated, and she started pressuring Joseph to get married. “At least let your father see you settle down before he dies.
Joseph was worn out by her constant nagging and snapped back at her several times.
It only made Mandy cry harder as she scolded him, “Lena was such a good woman, but you didn’t cherish her! If you had, you’d be married by now, and your father and I would have a grandchild to take care of!”
The moment my name was mentioned, Joseph’s temper disappeared as he fell silent.
I didn’t know what happened after that. My parents sold their house and moved away to somewhere else.
Three years later, I returned to the country to manage a project. Coincidentally, our company was right
next to Joseph’s law firm.
Its grand entrance was now quiet and desolate. The place was a far cry from its former prestige.
Noticing my focus on the building, one of the project partners, Philip Westwood, said, “It’s quite a story,
actually. One of the country’s top ten law firms was ruined by a woman.”
He glanced at me, worried that I would take offense at what he said. So, he coughed lightly and added, ” Of course, the man isn’t entirely innocent, either.”
“Is that so?” I asked.
“I wonder if you’ve heard of Mr. Joseph Payne, Ms. Chase?” he asked.
I nodded.
Philip continued, “He used to be a huge name around this city. Word is, he had a girlfriend who supported him when he had nothing. But he ended up running off at his wedding, just to be with his assistant. That mistress ended up becoming his wife.”
I sat on the leather couch and sipped my coffee calmly.
That outcome didn’t surprise me one bit. The moment I chose to walk away, I knew Tessa would eventually take my place.
Whether it was if Joseph wanted to marry her himself or if it was Mandy forcing Joseph’s hand, it didn’t matter. In the end, I respected their decision.
Philip said, “The scandal spread across the legal world, and his firm’s image took a major hit. But let’s be real, personal drama shouldn’t ruin a man’s career. With Mr. Payne’s skill, there’s no way all his clients just
vanished.”
He added, “It was really that wife of his that caused him to end up like this. She’s just way too hard to handle. She’d call him during his trials and demand to know his whereabouts. If he didn’t answer the phone, she would show up crying and screaming and even threaten suicide. She said she was insecure.”
Philip shook his head. “Thanks to that, Mr. Payne ended up losing cases that should have easily been won. Clients ended up losing confidence in him. There’s no way anyone would hire him after that.”
I smiled lightly. “Well, it was all his own choice. He can’t blame anyone else for what happened.”
After wrapping up the meeting, I left the building to get a coffee from the shop across the street. To my surprise, I ended up bumping into the man who we were just talking about.
He was once so proud and commanding in court, but now, he just looked worn out and defeated. I almost
didn’t recognize him.
He said, “Yelena, is that really you? I’m not mistaken, am I?”
Joseph looked excited and almost ran up to hug me, but he held himself back in the end.
There was no way I could just pretend not to know him, so I nodded calmly. “It’s been a long time, Mr.
Payne.”
Joseph said, “Lena, what did you call me?”
I smiled again. “What? It’s been three years. Did you change your name?”
He sighed. “That’s not what I meant. Lena, is there any need to be so distant?”
I pointed at the ring on his left hand. “You’re a married man now, after all.”
A flicker of awkwardness crossed his face. Joseph slid his hand into his pocket and sat down across from me. “Let’s not talk about that. It’s been so long. Let me buy you a drink. Do you still drink
cappuccinos?”
I skimmed the menu and ordered something else. “I got tired of it ages ago.” o
For the next half an hour, Joseph kept trying to strike up a conversation. He asked me how my life was
abroad and if I’d gotten used to my life there.
It was all just a buildup to what he actually wanted to ask. In the end, he carefully said, “Lena, are you
married?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
His hands trembled slightly, causing a few drops of coffee to spill on it. “I see. Congratulations.”
He forced out a painful smile.
Before he could say anything else, a sharp female voice shrieked from behind us, “Joseph! Who gave you permission to meet another woman in secret? Tell me! Who is she? Have you two been sneaking around
behind my back?”
It was Tessa. She didn’t even care about how the commotion looked to the public. It felt as if she wanted the whole world to hear her so they would stand on her side.
I watched her thoughtfully, wondering if this was what guilt did to people. She had used shameful means. to take a place that wasn’t hers, so perhaps she assumed that every other woman might do the same. That was probably why she was so insecure.
Then, her eyes met mine, and she froze in place. “You’re back?”
Joseph frowned and hissed, “That’s enough!”
I wasn’t interested in being a part of their drama. I stood up, paid for my coffee, and headed for the door.
Joseph tried to follow me, but Tessa grabbed his arm and said with reddened eyes, “Joseph, if you go after her, we’re getting a divorce!”
His response was to shove her away, sending her tumbling onto the cold floor.
Joseph chased after me for several days, all the way until the project wrapped up.
As I was boarding the plane once more, he ran after me and pleaded, “Lena, let me come with you, please? I haven’t even taken you to Frosia like I promised…”
I smiled at him politely. “I’m sorry, Mr. Payne, but my husband already took me there. Frosia really is a beautiful place.”
The next time I got news of Joseph, it was about his divorce. As expected, Tessa failed to get a single
penny off him. She had a breakdown and lost her mind after that.
As for Joseph, that law firm he had worked so hard for went under. Furthermore, Frederick passed away
on New Year’s Eve, leaving the world with regret.
Joseph lost everything.
Meanwhile, I had my parents move overseas to live with me. Together with my daughter, my husband,
and his loving family, we had a warm, joyful New Year together.
My life felt so complete at that moment.
