02
After Lucian left, I went through my routine, washing up calmly.
This time, though, there was no overwhelming despair, no suffocating sense of helplessness like last time.
It was true what they said. The second time was always easier.
A man like him, so utterly broken, wasn’t even worth wasting a tear over.
I went straight to bed.
Later in the night, I was stirred awake by a loud, frantic knocking on the door.
I groggily dragged myself to answer it, and there was Ryan Carter, Lucian’s university friend, practically carrying him into the house.
I rushed to help, getting Lucian onto the bed and offering him some water, all while Ryan stood by, watching me.
Then, out of nowhere, he said, “Selene, Lucian was really hurt by Marina. That’s why he got so upset when he saw her today.”
The mention of Marina was like a punch in the gut. It cut straight through Lucian’s lie.
“You know, back when Lucian was just starting out, Marina dumped him when he was at his lowest. She married some rich guy, and he’s never gotten over it. Lucky for him, you helped him, or he wouldn’t be where he is now.”
I forced a smile, the words sticking in my throat.
After Ryan left, I angrily threw the towel I’d been wringing into the basin, splashing water all over the place.
It even hit Lucian’s clothes, which were already soaked through with alcohol and whatever else.
I couldn’t help but notice a bright red lipstick stain on his shirt, one he hadn’t had when he left earlier.
He’d clearly showered and changed, but now it was ruined.
A wave of nausea swept over me. I turned to leave, but then he grabbed my wrist.
“Marina, Marina, don’t leave me… Marina, give me another chance… please…”
The sound of his pleading made my stomach twist in disgust.
I yanked my arm free and ran to the bathroom, retching until I thought I’d pass out. Only after a few minutes did I manage to steady myself against
the sink.
Looking at my own reflection in the mirror, I felt a strange sympathy for the woman who’d been foolish enough to stay with him for so long. How had I let myself endure this filth?
I decided right then and there. Tomorrow, I’d contact a lawyer and start the divorce process.
The next morning at the office, I overheard something that caught my attention. Lucian had hired a new assistant.
A colleague leaned over and whispered, “She looks so delicate, and she couldn’t even handle Excel. But Mr. Blake insisted on having her. It’s so strange. You think he’s… interested in her?”
The moment she said that, Marina’s face popped into my mind, unbidden.
I forced a smile and shook my head. “I don’t know. Let’s not gossip about our boss.”
Just as I finished speaking, I heard his voice behind me, cool and commanding. “Selene, come here for a moment.”
No one at work knew I was his wife. He’d insisted we keep our marriage quiet to avoid office rumors. So to everyone else, I was just another employee to him.
I followed him into his office. As soon as the door clicked shut, he pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Selene,” he said softly, “I need to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?”
“My old friend Marina is looking for a job, and I was thinking of having her try working here. What do you think?”
I pulled away from him, my tone icy. “Sure, whatever.”
He continued, “Actually, I’m short on assistants. I thought she could help me out for a while. I’ll personally train her to make sure she gets up to speed.”
“Are you mad?” he added, looking at me nervously.
I tilted my head and replied flatly, “You’re helping an old friend. Why would I be mad?”
He hesitated, clearly searching my face for any sign of a reaction.
Then he said, “By the way, last night… After Ryan and I drank too much, we didn’t cause you any trouble, did we? Don’t be mad, okay?”
I could see the guilt written all over him. He was trying to gauge how upset I was.
I stared at him, barely holding back my contempt. He wanted to cheat, but he was still worried about how I’d feel?
“I’m not mad,” I said, keeping my voice neutral.
11:27 AM
“You’re really not? You moved to the guest room last night. How is that not mad?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You were drunk, calling someone else’s name all night. What was I supposed to do? Sleep through that?”
