“Simon,” I called, holding up the document. “Are we competing with Ethan’s company, Evermore, for the Southside property?”
Simon glanced up from his phone, his sharp eyes meeting mine. “Yes. But if it’s uncomfortable for you, you don’t have to handle it.”
His expression was calm and steady, without a trace of pity or mockery. Instead, there was a quiet kindness in his gaze, one that made my chest ache slightly.
I shook my head, smiling faintly. “I’m in charge of business development. There’s no reason to back out just because of… history.”
When Ethan founded the company, I’d known exactly who it was dedicated to. Back then, I thought it was romantic, a testament to how deeply he loved her. I even pitied him, thinking he was a man of rare devotion.
Now? I just found it pathetic.
“Alright,” Simon said simply, nodding. “I’ll go with you to the meeting.”
He didn’t push the topic further, instead turning his attention back to the takeout. When the food arrived, it covered the entire coffee table.
“You’re wasting food,” I teased, though my tone was light.
He just smiled, brushing off my comment as he passed me a plate. Occasionally, he even placed food on my plate without asking.
In the quiet of the office, the warmth of the meal felt… comforting. For the first time in a long time, the cold, empty days of my life seemed to have a flicker of warmth.
Simon was a natural at networking.
By the afternoon, he had already arranged a dinner meeting with the potential client.
That evening, we met with Mr. Lee, the head of the company responsible for deciding the Southside property’s future.
Mr. Lee was friendly, his tone polite and welcoming. He didn’t seem inclined to make things difficult, though he did hint that the final decision would require more thought.
I raised my glass with a practiced smile. “Mr. Lee, there’s no need for me to give you a long speech. When it comes to financial strength and industry reputation, Crane Enterprises far surpasses Evermore.
“And when it comes to execution, I can confidently say, we’re second to none. If there are any concerns about the project, let us know, and we’ll make sure you’re satisfied.”
I wasn’t new to this game. Competing for deals was second nature to me.
With Ethan, I had often been the one to go out and fight for contracts while he stayed behind, managing operations.
He used to say, “You’re good at this because you’re shameless. Perfect for dealing with clients.”
It wasn’t the most flattering compliment, but I took it as one anyway and threw myself into the role with everything I had.
Now, working for Simon, I didn’t feel the slightest hesitation about stepping into the spotlight.
“Annie speaks for Crane Enterprises,” Simon said, backing me up effortlessly.
As I lifted my glass to drink, Simon reached over and took it from my hand, clinking it with Mr. Lee’s instead.
Then, without missing a beat, he placed a glass of orange juice in front of me.
“Girls shouldn’t drink,” he said casually.
Mr. Lee chuckled, clearly amused. “Ah, Simon, you really know how to take care of people!”
I forced a smile, sneaking a glance at Simon. What was he doing? Didn’t he know I had a reputation for holding my liquor?
<
“Drink your orange juice,” he said, catching my expression.
I muttered under my breath, “Why bring me here if you’re not going to let me help? What’s the point?”
“To have dinner,” he replied quietly, his voice low and smooth.
I blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, I thought I’d misheard him.
But then he laughed softly, his eyes sparkling under the warm glow of the lights. The way he looked at me made my chest tighten, and I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on my plate.
Simon handled the rest of the conversation with Mr. Lee, seamlessly steering the discussion while I did exactly what he’d suggested: I ate.
For the first time in years, I wasn’t the one fighting tooth and nail at the negotiation table.
It felt… strange. But not unpleasant.
Halfway through the evening, I excused myself to go to the restroom.
On my way back to the private dining room, I saw them.
Ethan and Summer.
8
After three months apart, Ethan looked thinner.
I stood at a distance, watching him from the doorway. His face was still familiar, the sharp brows and chiseled features I once knew so well, but now he felt like a stranger.
Next to him, Summer glowed with happiness, looking as radiant as ever. Clearly, life had been treating her well.
“Annie?”
I had just decided to turn and leave when Summer’s voice rang out. She was looking straight at me, her delicate face lighting up with surprise before softening into a sweet smile.
“Annie, how did you know we were here? Come in and join us!”
“I was just passing by,” I replied coldly, shaking my head.
Her smile didn’t falter, but I could sense her insistence as she gestured warmly.
Before she could say more, Ethan’s voice cut through, sharper, colder. “Annie, if Summer invites you to sit, then sit. Stop being so difficult.”
I let out a short laugh. Did he think they were royalty now?
I glanced around the table. Most of the people there were Ethan’s old drinking buddies, the ones who used to mock me behind my back when we were married. They’d call me names, joke that I’d clawed my way up to “wife” status by being his pathetic shadow.
Their eyes were on me now, filled with amusement and just a hint of malice.
Without a word, I turned to leave.
“Wait–Annie!” Summer’s voice stopped me again, this time tinged with concern. “Why are you limping?”
I froze.
She didn’t have to say it so loudly.
“I’m not limping,” I muttered tightly. “It’s just a minor issue from my leg injury.”
But one of Ethan’s friends immediately chimed in, loud enough for the entire table to hear.
D
101 PM
<
“Oh wow, she is limping! Good thing you divorced her, Ethan. Imagine taking a limping wife out in public–how embarrassing”
Another voice added with a snicker, “Exactly. She’s nothing like Summer–pure, sweet, and perfect.”
“Summer’s the whole package,” someone else agreed. “She helps Ethan with his business and looks amazing by his side. You really upgraded,
man.”
The table erupted in laughter, full of smug satisfaction and unfiltered cruelty..
I turned back just in time to see Ethan lounging in his chair, arms crossed, an indifferent expression on his face. He didn’t bother defending me. He didn’t even flinch.
Summer, meanwhile, looked embarrassed, her face flushing delicately. “You guys, stop it,” she said softly, as if trying to shield me. But the glint of satisfaction in her eyes betrayed her.
I clenched my fists.
I wanted to lash out, to throw every cruel word they’d said back in their faces. But before I could, a shadow loomed behind me.
“Enough.”
The voice was calm, steady, and unmistakably familiar.
I turned my head in shock to see Simon standing there, his expression composed yet firm.
“I’ll take her,” he said, his tone as casual as if he were announcing what he wanted for dinner.
But there was something unshakable in his voice, something that sent a ripple of tension through the room.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My heart skipped a beat, the steady rhythm thrown into chaos.
Ethan’s face darkened instantly, his jaw tightening as he leaned forward. “Simon, what the hell are you playing at?”
Simon didn’t even look at him. “Exactly what I said,” he replied, his voice smooth. “Annie’s with me now.”
To my utter shock, his hand slid into mine, his grip firm and warm.
I glanced at him, noticing the faint haze of alcohol in his eyes. He must’ve had a drink before coming here. Maybe that’s why he was doing this -because of the alcohol, because he wanted to stand up for me.
Still, I didn’t pull away. I smiled faintly and said, “Why are you explaining yourself to him? Let’s go.”
“Annie!” Ethan snapped, his voice rising with uncharacteristic anger. “So this is how it is? How long has this been going on? What, you couldn’t wait even a few months after our divorce to cling to Simon?”
His words were sharp, cutting, and filled with venom.
“Let me guess,” he continued, his tone bitter, “you’re teaming up to take me down, is that it? Pathetic.”
I laughed softly, shaking my head.
