Chapter 5

Audrey's POV

Back at the villa, I immediately collapsed into bed. The physical pain and mental exhaustion intertwined, suffocating me. Chloe's words, that ring, felt like poisoned thorns, tearing me apart. I thought my heart had turned to ash, but it still hurt.

The next day, Julian's assistant called, asking me to come to the office. I guessed it was about the divorce papers.

This was only my second time stepping foot in Sterling Corp in three years. The first was three years ago, when I delivered the anonymous investment contract.

The receptionist didn't recognize me and stopped me. I gave my name and said I had an appointment with Mr. Sterling. After an internal call, she reluctantly let me through.

I took the CEO's private elevator to the top floor. The moment the doors opened, Mark, Julian's assistant, was waiting anxiously.

"Mrs. Sterling, you're finally here." Mark whispered, carefully. "Mr. Sterling is waiting for you in his office. He's not in a good mood."

I nodded and walked towards the CEO's office. I pushed open the door, and a wave of oppressive silence, thick with anger, hit me.

Julian sat behind his enormous desk, his face stormy. Across from him, Chloe was weeping, her shoulders shaking, looking utterly pathetic.

Seeing me enter, Julian's gaze shot towards me like a sharp blade, full of icy rage. "Audrey, how dare you show your face here?"

What did I do?

"Julian, don't blame her, it's all my fault... all my fault..." Chloe sobbed harder, wiping away tears and choking out words. "I shouldn't have left such important design drafts on the desk. I never thought... my sister... would..."

Design drafts? A cold dread settled in my stomach. I had a terrible feeling.

Sure enough, Julian snatched a stack of files from his desk and hurled them at my feet. "Tell me! Why did you do it?"

Julian stood up, striding towards me, his tall figure radiating an intense pressure. "You leaked the company's latest design drafts to our competitors to get back at me, didn't you?"

I froze. "I didn't."

"Didn't?" Julian scoffed, pointing at the crying Chloe. "Chloe saw you with her own eyes, sneaking around, rummaging through her things in her office."

"And then, this morning, our rival company released designs identical to ours! You still dare to deny it?"

I looked at Chloe. She hid behind Julian, but a flicker of triumph was visible in her supposedly innocent eyes.

I understood instantly. This was another one of her setups. Such a flimsy excuse, yet Julian bought it hook, line, and sinker.

"I didn't go into her office." I tried to keep my voice steady. "I came to the company today because your assistant..."

"Enough!" Julian roughly cut me off. "You still want to argue now? Audrey, I really underestimated you!"

"I thought you were just greedy, but I never imagined your heart could be so malicious!"

"To get revenge on me, you'd even sabotage the entire company's interests!"

His voice was loud, and the office door hadn't been completely shut. Employees from the secretarial pool peered in, their faces alight with anticipation of a spectacle.

I had become the company's laughingstock. In front of everyone, my own husband was pointing a finger at me, accusing me of malicious intent. My heart felt squeezed by an invisible hand, making it impossible to breathe.

I looked at this man who refused to seek the truth, only believing his precious Chloe.

I just felt utterly exhausted.

Loving someone to this extreme, I realized, left no room for hate. Only an empty ache.

I gave up explaining, gave up struggling.

I looked at the man I had loved for eight years.

Then, I smiled softly.

"Julian." I spoke quietly. "I'll sign."

Julian was taken aback by my sudden words, clearly not understanding.

I ignored his shock. I walked directly to his desk, picking up the divorce settlement from the scattered papers on the floor. The agreement was stained with coffee, looking as messy as my three years of marriage.

I turned to the last page, pointed to my signature, and showed it to him. "I said, I agree to the divorce."

Then, I slowly removed the wedding ring from my left ring finger.

Julian had casually asked his assistant to buy this ring three years ago when we got married. It had no special design, and the size wasn't even quite right. Yet, I had treasured it, wearing it for three full years without ever taking it off.

Now, this cold metal band finally left my finger.

I gently placed the ring on the desk, pushing it towards him. The metal clinked against the surface, a clear sound that felt like the death knell of my pathetic marriage.

I looked up at him and said, "I wish you both eternal happiness."