Chapter 4

Freddie's POV 

"You did what? She's your wife, and you want to divorce her because Judie is back? You've got to be kidding," Collin said, his voice laced with anger.

I stayed silent, letting my expression make it clear that I wasn't interested in hearing anything Collin had to say.

Collin and the rest of my friends had dropped by my office, and when they learned I was divorcing Lessie, they were all shocked but not exactly surprised. Only Collin, who had always been friendly with Lessie, refused to accept it.

"Collin, what's wrong with Freddie wanting to divorce that uncultured wife of his? Judie is a much better fit, and she's more suited for someone like Freddie," Lora countered.

"Plus, we all know Freddie has always had feelings for Judie. If she hadn't gone abroad, they would have been married long ago," Tyla added.

While they were busy arguing, my mind wandered to Lessie at the hospital. It wasn't like I cared, but I was curious whether she'd still go through with the abortion. After all, that's what I want. I know asking her to abort our child isn't exactly right, but who told her to get pregnant in the first place?

I won't let myself be tied down by a baby.

My thoughts were interrupted when the secretary burst in, panting.

“Sir, your wife wants to see you. Should I let her in?”

I was taken aback and was about to refuse, but then I saw Lessie already walking in.

"Why are you here?" I left her at the hospital last night, so why was she here now?

I noticed her glance hesitantly at my friends, and I could tell what she was thinking. She was clearly uncomfortable, but I didn’t care.

"Why are you here?" I repeated.

"Did you mean everything you said at the hospital?" she asked, her eyes now focused solely on me.

"Yes, do you think I was joking?"

"So you really want me out of your life." Her voice trembled, and I could tell she was about to tear up.

I couldn't let her cry here, not in front of my friends. It was bad enough she came to my office looking so unkempt, but tears? Absolutely not.

"Lessie, just leave," I said, trying to stay calm.

"I'm hurt, Freddie." She clutched her chest, fighting back tears.

I couldn't bear to watch anymore. If I kept looking, it wouldn't be long before she broke down in front of everyone.

"Will you respect yourself and leave my office? I've already made it clear that I don't want you. Why is that so hard to understand?" I struggled to keep my temper in check.

"Freddie," her voice was weak, and she looked like a defeated kitten.

"Get out while I'm still being patient, Lessie. You won't like what happens if I lose my temper. I don't even know why you're here when you should be at the hospital, doing what I told you to do."

Though I was angry, I wasn't foolish enough to say outright that I wanted her to abort our child. My friends might back me up, but it just didn't sit right with me.

"Please," she begged again, her face wet with tears.

This time, she couldn't hold back the flood of emotion. Her sobs came out uncontrollably, and her cheeks flushed pink from crying.

"Security!" I shouted, my anger finally boiling over.

The guards outside my office burst in at the sound of my voice. Before they could force Lessie out, I watched as she wiped her tears and left, looking utterly defeated.

Once she was gone, my friends erupted in laughter, but I noticed Collins glaring at me.

"I have something to take care of. We'll talk later," he said, standing up and leaving before I could respond.

"Wait up, Collins!" my other three friends called after him with a wink, quickly following him out.

I sighed as the last of them exited my office. Pushing the incident out of my mind, I buried myself in work. By the time I finished, it was already night.

Grabbing my suit jacket, I left the office. The secretary was still at her desk, and I knew she would head home now that I was leaving.

I walked to my car and drove home. When I arrived and opened the front door, the house was eerily quiet, save for the faint noise from the TV in the living room.

Maybe it was the sound of my shoes, but I suddenly noticed Judie hurrying down the stairs. If I hadn’t seen her, I might’ve forgotten that I let her stay at my place last night.

She was wearing a short, tight pair of shorts and one of my loose shirts.

“Fred, you’re so late. I missed you,” she said, her scent hitting me as she kissed my cheek.

I didn’t react to her touch; my mind was elsewhere, searching the house for Lessie. Why isn’t she here? I told her to get out of my office this afternoon, so she should be back home by now, right?

While I was still looking around, Judie spoke, her face a mix of sweet and annoyance.

“You’re back, but you’re not even looking at me,” she said, irritated.

“Sorry, I just…” I began to explain, but my eyes caught something on the table across the room.

It was a document—no, a divorce paper. How did it end up here? I distinctly remember locking it away in my room, so why was it out in the open?

“What’s that?”

“Oh, that?” Judie smiled. “It’s just the divorce agreement.”

“I know that,” I snapped, frustrated. “What I’m asking is, why is it on the table?”

A sense of dread suddenly washed over me. I looked at Judie, still smiling, and waited for her explanation.

“I brought it down here to get it signed…”

“Was it signed?” I interrupted, my voice tense.

“Yup,” she replied with a grin. “Good news, right?”

Her words made my legs feel weak. I rushed to the table and opened the document. To my shock, Lessie’s signature was there—she had signed it!

“You? What have you done?” I demanded, staring at the excited Judie.