6
My new company was a bit far, and the commute was tiring and inconvenient. I thought about buying a new apartment closer to work after the divorce. I contacted Oliver, asking how the divorce papers were coming along. His reply was reassuring: “I was just about to call you. They’re ready. We can meet and discuss when you have time.”
The company gave me a new project, and by an unfortunate coincidence, our partner was Liam’s company.
My former colleague, Ava, met me at the entrance, her face full of surprise. “Chloe? Is that really you?”
I nodded in greeting and followed her to the reception room with my documents. After waiting for a while, Ava returned apologetically. “I’m sorry, Chloe. Mr. Liam asked you to come to his office to discuss.”
I knocked on his office door. Liam looked up, his eyes lighting up. “Chloe.”
“Have a seat. I’ll have someone get you coffee and dessert.”
I spread out my proposal, planning to finish quickly and leave. The door opened again, but it wasn’t Liam who entered; it
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was Ashley. She roughly slammed the documents onto the floor, hands on her hips, glaring at me. “Didn’t you quit? Why are you back?!”
She looked so righteous, anyone would think *she* ran the place. Seeing me not respond, she chuckled. “What, did you find out Big Brother and I are together and came back to make a scene?”
“I’m telling you, it’s too late! All the fans know Big Brother and I are getting married. If you come back now, you’re just interfering in someone else’s relationship! You’re the other woman!”
Liam came in, carrying coffee and pastries, and frowned. “What are you doing here? What nonsense are you spouting?”
Ashley immediately dropped her domineering act, went to Liam’s side, and swung his arm, whining, “Big Brother never comes to find me, so I just had to come find you myself!”
“And I wasn’t spouting nonsense, Big Brother promised me all those things!”
“Big Brother, I even have a surprise for you today. When do you want to open it? I promise you’ll be absolutely hooked~”
I gathered my documents and stood up. “Mr. Liam seems very busy. Perhaps we can talk another day.”
Ashley immediately cut in, dripping with sarcasm. “Big Brother is just busy. Don’t be a nuisance here.“”
Liam instantly stopped her, his voice anxious and apologetic. “I’m sorry, Chloe. Give me two minutes.” He practically dragged Ashley into the break room, then emerged alone shortly after.
My task for today was simple. The preliminary work was done; I just needed to confirm a few details with Liam and sign
some papers.
After Liam signed, he cautiously observed my expression. “Chloe, it’s almost quitting time. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”
“No, I…”
“Big Brother~” Ashley suddenly pulled open the break room door. She was wearing a full bunny costume: two long ears on her head, and a fluffy pom–pom tail swinging above short shorts that barely reached her thighs.
She subtly glanced at me, then pulled a small box from the heart–shaped cutout on her chest, cooing to Liam, “Big Brother~ We ran out last time, so Momo Bunny bought new ones~ But if Big Brother doesn’t want to use them, that’s okay, I just love cuddling with you the most~”
Liam stared at her in shock, then quickly turned to look at me, his face showing a panic I’d never seen before. “Chloe, listen to me. She and I aren’t what you think. You have to believe me.”
I gathered my documents, my heart unperturbed. “No need to explain. I don’t care.”
Liam looked even more frantic. His eyes bloodshot, he grabbed my hand. “You really don’t care? Chloe, don’t you love me anymore?”
I disgustedly pulled my hand away, glancing at a visibly annoyed Ashley. “What, do you want me to close the door for you?”
When I got home, Liam, surprisingly, was standing in the kitchen wearing an apron. Hearing me come in, he came out, looking expectant, a spoon clutched nervously in his hand. “You’re back? I made you something delicious. Go wash your
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hands and eat.”
Liam’s left hand was covered in several bandages, and there was a clear red mark on the back of his right hand. This was the first time he’d ever cooked since we got together. I, on the other hand, who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen before, had learned to cook well for him. Even if I cut my hand or burned myself, I never complained, just hoping he’d enjoy the meal.
But how did he used to describe me? He said I was just a masochist, asking for trouble, suffering for no reason.
Looking at his now cautious and apologetic expression, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter chuckle. “Liam, who are you trying to impress with this pathetic act now?”
Liam dropped his hand awkwardly, his eyes filled with hurt, but he forced a smile. “I just wanted to apologize, Chloe. Nothing ever happened between Ashley and me. I don’t know why she acted like that today, you…”
A sudden phone ring interrupted him. Ryan’s anxious voice came through. “Bro! Ashley’s live streaming a suicide attempt! She’s saying you don’t want her anymore! Go check it out! Don’t let her actually do something stupid!”
Liam looked at me, his face mortified. I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm. “I’ll just go check and come right back. If something really happens, our company will be affected, and you know, you were half the reason it’s successful… You understand, right?”
I impatiently cut him off. “I understand. Go ahead.”
Liam visibly relaxed. “I’ll be right back. I’ll bring you takeout from those places you like.”
I sat in our quiet home, opening my laptop to review the divorce papers Oliver had prepared. A moment later, my phone screen lit up, with an endless stream of text messages and Ins notifications. I tapped on them.
“Go die, old hag, you homewrecker!”
I skimmed a few messages; they were all vulgar insults, almost all mentioning Ashley. I opened Ashley’s live stream. Liam was already there, and Ashley was leaning against him, clutching his clothes, sobbing and pouring out her grievances. Her tear–streaked face was truly pitiful. The comments section was exploding with angry messages, netizens all saying they had to expose me, the ‘other woman‘ who destroyed their love.
I couldn’t even be bothered to smile. I logged onto Ins, posted a picture of my marriage certificate, then tagged Ashley, enjoyed the furious netizens for a while, then turned off my phone and went to sleep.
