On the 87th day since Aiden moved back home, I checked my exam results online.
Seeing the bright red word “pass” on the screen, I broke down in tears.
Then, I dialed Skyla’s number.
Half an hour later, I sat across from her at a cafe, my eyes still swollen and red.
Skyla’s long hair cascaded over her shoulders as always. She looked me over with a smirk. “It looks like even though he moved back in, life hasn’t been all that great for you.”
I clenched my teeth. “Still better than you! At least I’m not stuck as a temporary employee, ridiculed left and right!
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She gave a light chuckle, unfazed. “If you came today just to see me miserable, then you wasted your time. Sure, I got reassigned, but it’s not permanent. I can fix this. I’m in no rush.”
My expression darkened. “Are you seriously waiting for Aiden to get his position back so he can reinstate you?”
She responded softly, “He’s your husband. Do you really not know what he’ll do?”
My eyes burned with fresh tears, and my voice trembled. “I don’t believe it! I don’t believe Aiden has such deep feelings for you! We’ve been married for ten years! We have Chloe! Even if he doesn’t care about me, do you really think he won’t care about Chloe?”
She smiled faintly, “What Aiden and I share is a deep connection between our souls. One day with me is worth ten years with you. To put it bluntly, I never even considered you a threat. But if I wanted to, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”
I gritted my teeth, my voice laced with fury. “Fine. Let’s make a bet. Chloe’s birthday is in two days. If you’re so
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Chapter 16
sure of yourself, let’s see if you can get Aiden to ditch his daughter’s birthday and go see you instead. If he stays home with Chloe, then you’re nothing but a joke.”
Skyla raised her eyes slightly, looking completely at ease. “And what if he chooses me?”
I clenched my jaw. “Then, I’ll publicly apologize to you in front of the entire research institute.”
She smiled confidently. “Deal.”
I met her gaze, my voice firm. “Deal.”
On the night of Chloe’s birthday, she called Aiden for the tenth time, her small voice trembling as she asked when he would be home.
Aiden turned off his phone.
Tears welled up in Chloe’s eyes. She pressed her lips together, staying silent.
I glanced down at my phone, looking at the photo Skyla just sent me. Then, I turned to Chloe with a gentle smile. “Sweetheart, do you want Mommy to take you to find Daddy?”
Chloe nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Aiden and Skyla were walking out, side by side.
