Chapter 3
“Owen, this is the fifth time Victoria has asked to meet with you this week.”
“You’re still not going to see her?”
I accepted the warm water Claire handed me and swallowed my pills.
“See her? And then what?”
“Let her look me over like a financial report? Listen to her ‘analyze’ our worthless marriage like she’s reviewing a project? Cooperate and wait for her to lower herself to ‘handling’ our divorce agreement?”
“That robotic, all-business attitude of hers makes me sick. I’m done volunteering to be humiliated.”
I set down the glass and drew a deep breath.
“Besides… there’s no avoiding Friday’s reception.”
“We can sign what needs signing and cut whatever ties are left. Settle everything at once and go our separate ways.”
“She can be Ms. Hayes, and I’ll be Mr. Bennett.”
The sunlight felt warm against my skin, making me sleepy.
Just before closing my bedroom door, I took a bank card from my bag and handed it to Claire.
“No PIN. Five million.”
Claire froze, looking at the closed door. Then she gave a soft laugh, her murmur almost inaudible:
“He really is treating me like his kept woman.”
On the day of the reception, the ballroom smelled of champagne, perfume, and extravagance. It was my first public appearance since announcing the divorce. Holding a glass of champagne, I exchanged pleasantries with older family friends.
Victoria cut through the crowd and walked straight toward me.
“Owen, let’s talk.”
Her tone was slightly softer than usual.
I looked up.
How things had changed.
Now it was my turn to look her over like an object.
“Can I help you, Ms. Hayes?”
The title seemed to catch in her throat. After a brief silence, her assistant handed her a velvet box. She held it out to me. Inside was the latest watch from Shely.
“I… neglected you before.”
Her voice was stiff. Apologizing and asking someone to stay clearly didn’t come naturally to her.
“This is a small gesture. As for the divorce, perhaps we could reconsider—”
I studied Victoria.
I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. Maybe, for the sake of her business empire, she wasn’t ready to give up such a useful “marriage partner.”
The divorce was nonnegotiable.
But from a business standpoint, there was no reason to make things too ugly.
Having a problem with her didn’t mean I had to have a problem with money.
While I hesitated, a clear voice suddenly cut in.
It held just the right amount of surprise and affection:
“Victoria, so that watch was for Owen?”
“If I’d known, I would’ve let him choose first.”
Ethan wheeled himself over. His gaze landed on the watch, showing a trace of regret and a spoiled little pout.
On his wrist was another model from the very same collection.
“A few days ago, I said I didn’t like the design. It seemed a little too simple. But looking at it now, I suddenly think it’s beautiful. I almost hate to give it up.”
As he spoke, he reached out and gently tugged Victoria’s sleeve.
Victoria frowned.
She looked from me to Ethan in his wheelchair.
When she spoke, some of her old entitlement had returned, as though she were settling a trivial matter.
“Owen, Ethan likes it again.”
“I’m still working with Reed Industries. Why don’t you let him have it? Tell me what kind you like, and I’ll have my assistant—”
I laughed, not a trace of anger on my face.
“Ms. Hayes.”
“I appreciate the thought. As for the gift?”
“I’m not so desperate that I need to fight over someone else’s discarded trash.”
My gaze swept pointedly over Victoria herself, my voice careless and arrogant:
“Besides, who takes back a gift once they’ve given it? You’ve been in business all these years, Ms. Hayes. Surely you understand basic etiquette?”
“If you’re going out of your way to humiliate me, then I don’t think we have anything left to discuss.”
I deliberately raised my voice so everyone nearby could hear.
“I’ll notify my lawyer.”
“We’ll pick a nice date to file a contested divorce.”
With a crash,
the champagne glass in my hand “accidentally” shattered at Victoria’s feet, splashing her shoes.
“Sorry. My hand slipped.”
“Some people are just that disgusting.”