"Edward, are you okay? How's May?" Sharon asked worriedly, standing outside the bathroom as she watched Edward slam the door, soaking wet."I'm fine. I'm going to change," Edward said angrily.Sharon pretended to reach for the bathroom door. Edward grabbed her hand, glaring at the glass door furiously, and said, "Don't go in. That crazy woman will spray water at you. I swear that she belongs in a mental hospital."I'm sure May didn't mean to do it. Don't be angry with her…" Sharon played the role of the mediator. But all her words did was fuel Edward's anger.On the other side of the bathroom door, Macie could hear their conversation. She sat on the floor, hugging her knees and clenching her fists. She bit her lip as hatred simmered on the inside.She thought that Edward was detestable and Sharon was equally disgusting. They were the perfect match, made for each other. Both were scumbags who deserved each other through and through!Macie regretted interfering two years ago. She s
At the hospital, the doctor, Gregory Chase, took one look at Macie's injuries and began berating her for not taking care of herself. The blisters on her feet had all ruptured. It could be dangerous if they were to get infected.Macie kept her head low, keeping her silence as she stared at her painfully red and battered feet.It wasn't that she didn't take care of herself.It was just that some people refused to leave her alone.Gregory did more checks and found that her lower back and tailbone were severely bruised. There were injuries on her arms as well, and her eyes were swollen from crying. Throughout the entire examination, she did not say a single word, nor was there anyone accompanying her.The doctor could guess what had happened. "You need an X-ray of your lower back. Let's get you hospitalized. You shouldn't go home for a few days.""Thank you, Dr. Chase," Macie replied hoarsely.One of the nurses helped her handle the hospitalization procedure. Macie couldn't lie on h
Edward slammed the door shut with a loud bang and turned back to the kitchen. The food he had brought back now looked like a joke. In a fit of anger, he threw everything into the trash.Then, he took out his phone and called Macie. The busy tone beeped for a long time, yet no one answered. Just as he was about to lose his temper again, he remembered that Macie's phone was broken.He didn't call again. His expression remained cold as he returned to his bedroom to shower and go to bed.Macie could go wherever she liked. It had nothing to do with her.…At 2:00 am, Edward woke up to an agonizing pain in his stomach. Irritated, he snapped, "Macie, where's the…"The door across from his was ajar—still in the same position as when he had slammed it shut earlier. Edward clenched his fists and went to find himself some antacid.The burgers from dinner had been too much for his sensitive stomach, so he hadn't eaten much. On top of that, he had drunk some alcohol, and now it was all catch
"What's wrong, Ed?" Sharon sat up and hugged him around the waist from behind.Edward pushed her hands off and said hoarsely, "Sorry, I overstepped just now. Get some rest."With that, he hurriedly got out of bed and fled the scene."Ed! Ed!" she called out hurriedly and followed him. But when she opened the door, the hallway was already empty.She bit her lower lip, nails digging into the doorframe as her eyes filled with resentment.…In the parking lot, Edward got into his car, his expression dazed and unfocused. He was still shaken by what had happened earlier. He buried his head in his hands, full of regret.Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the newly bought phone lying on the passenger seat. His gaze flickered away almost guiltily.…Meanwhile, Sharon closed the door and went to the bathroom. In the mirror, she saw the hickeys on her neck. She smiled deviously as she snapped a photo and sent it out.…It was already 11:00 pm when Edward got home. He entered the elev
"Keep looking. I refuse to believe that she could just vanish into thin air!" Edward gritted out.Nathan had really tried everything. He had even called Macie multiple times, but she wouldn't answer.Just as he was about to lose all hope, he called one last time—and this time, Macie picked up."Mrs. Fowler! Where are you?" Nathan asked excitedly."What do you need from me?" Macie returned his question with her own, her tone indifferent."Mr. Fowler—" Nathan blurted out but stopped himself just in time. He quickly came up with an excuse. "Mr. Fowler asked me for a document, but I couldn't find it, so I wanted to check with you. But you weren't around, and we need the document urgently…"Macie was exasperated. Edward had lost something and couldn't find it, yet he was now making his assistant ask her."Tell him to look for it himself," Macie said coldly."Mrs. Fowler, Mr. Fowler has been in meetings all day long. He's busy," Nathan said. He was clever. He made his voice sound urg
The doctor arrived after the nurse drove Edward out of the room. Macie only bit her bottom lip. Her tears were overflowing from the intense pain.The ward fell silent once again, except for the sound of her sobs. The other patients looked at her with sympathy for this unfortunate woman."Domestic violence is against the law. I'm calling the police right now." The nurse, unable to stand it any longer, took out her phone.Edward snapped back to his senses and immediately snatched the phone away."I didn't do it! Domestic violence? What are you talking about? If you keep making things up, I'll make sure you lose your job!" he threatened."The patient has a fractured coccyx. Were you not the one who did this?" The nurse looked at him questioningly.A fractured coccyx...Edward froze again and looked at the injured area.The first time, he had thrown her to the ground. The second time, he had pushed her down hard.Could it be…Seeing that he had fallen silent, the nurse picked u
"You were the one who was about to stab her with a kitchen knife! I saw it with my own eyes!" Edward argued."Oh? Then did she actually get hurt?" Macie shot back.Edward was instantly at a loss for words.Sharon's so-called "injury" wasn't even as bad as a scratch from a fingernail. She didn't even need a band-aid."You say I'm making things up, but it seems to me that you're the real expert at twisting the truth." Macie sneered when he remained silent. "And as for your question about whether I went home last night… What's the matter? Were you so eager for me to catch you in bed with that woman?"You sure are self-righteous for someone who's cheating while still married."Edward's back stiffened instantly at those words. He then retorted forcefully, "I didn't!""Oh? Then what left that hickey on your neck?" Macie mocked.Edward's hand flew to his neck. He then quickly pulled out his phone to check his reflection. Lifting his collar, he saw a hickey on the side of his neck."L
Nathan didn't understand why Edward was so upset. After giving it some thought, he realized it was because…"She could have told me directly! Why did she have to tell you instead?!" Edward roared.Why go through his assistant? Would it kill her to call or text him?Nathan stared blankly ahead, his silence speaking volumes. He wondered if the method of communication really mattered that much and if it was worth Edward flying into a rage.He didn't get it.Why was Edward so desperate to find her if he didn't love Macie? But if he did love her, why would he sleep with another woman and hurt her so deeply?Meanwhile, Macie declined the concerns of her fellow patients in the ward. She just wanted to be left alone.What she had told Nathan was the truth. Out of respect for Yosef, she wouldn't expose Edward and Sharon's affair.Besides, she would be gone in just 25 days. As long as the couple didn't provoke her again, they could do whatever they wanted.…Edward was completely out o
In fact, Nathan was completely helpless.The only one who could reach Macie was Yosef. Unfortunately, Edward had no way of contacting her.That morning, a manager came by with the product planning proposal for Edward. But after a brief discussion, it became clear that Edward wasn't in the right headspace. His eyes were red and swollen, so the manager had no choice but to leave."Mr. Levy, do you know what's wrong with Mr. Fowler?" the manager asked Nathan in the Assistants Department's office."Oh, he's going through a breakup," Nathan replied absentmindedly as he looked up from his computer.But then he realized that it wasn't entirely accurate. Macie and Edward were married. They weren't dating, so it wasn't a breakup. It was more like…Right, a divorce.Alas… A newly divorced man was bound to be a mess, especially since Edward had brought this on himself. Nathan could only shake his head and sigh.The other assistants who overheard that were stunned and the manager was equ
One of the interviewers smiled and said, "Ms. Smith, your professional expertise is outstanding. Your leadership in several team competitions during college makes you an excellent fit for the director position."Macie pursed her lips at the remark and glanced at Julian. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm qualified for that. I'd be happy to join the design department as a staff member."The interviewers were momentarily surprised by her rejection.Macie continued, "Thank you for your confidence in me. The competitions during college were team events, and the leader back then was Mr. Atkins, not me. I was just the assistant, so I can't really take credit for that."I'm well aware of my weaknesses. This is my first job, and I have a lot to learn, especially when it comes to leading a team. If I get promoted, I'd like to start from the ground up."After hearing her response, the interviewers appreciated her honesty and sincerity. Then, they turned their attention to their boss sitting
Julian turned to look at Macie. She had applied light makeup with soft red lips that weren't too bold. Her overall look was simple and fresh, giving her an understated elegance."Not at all. You look beautiful." Julian didn't hold back his praise at all.He smiled and added, "Back in college, you were our department's top beauty and one of the most outstanding students. The number of guys chasing after you could probably circle the whole city of Williamford.""Stop teasing me." Macie blushed slightly.Julian chuckled. Seeing how easily she got flustered, he felt like he was back in their college days.He was tempted to ask if she had a boyfriend but figured that it was too soon since they'd only just reconnected. So, he decided to hold off for now.As they chatted, the elevator reached the 12th floor. Julian led the way as he introduced the place. "Look, this is our company logo—Brightech Studios. It's a bit tacky, but we hope it brings us good luck."Macie looked at the compa
In the passenger seat, Nathan heard Edward sobbing and shouting. Frowning, Nathan sighed inwardly. If Edward knew that it would come to this, why had he been so sure of himself before?Just days ago, Nathan had warned him to be honest with himself, but Edward had insisted he'd never regret his choices.No matter how much Edward begged or cried at the Fowler residence, Yosef refused to waver. Any thoughts of reconciling Edward and Macie had been completely snuffed out. The call was ruthlessly ended. Before hanging up, Yosef left him with only one cold remark. "You're not good enough for May."In the backseat, Edward redialed the number, but his grandfather refused to answer the call. It was only then that Edward's heart truly shattered, and regret crashed over him in waves.The man who was always so stoic and composed now broke down in anguish. His cries were raw and desperate, like a lost puppy abandoned on the side of the road. He clutched his head and was unable to hold back
"So… it's true?" Yosef asked.On the other end of the line, he still couldn't believe it even after hearing the answers."It's not just true. There's more," Nathan replied. "I'll put everything in a message and send it to you."After hanging up, he quickly typed out everything he knew about Macie's sufferings and the incident with Edward bringing Sharon into their home. Although Edward and Macie were already divorced, Nathan felt that Yosef still cared for Macie and might be able to help her get some justice.The ride was eerily silent.Edward sat in the backseat, lost in thought. He still couldn't believe that he and Macie were divorced.At the same time, he was grappling with the truth from two years ago—that his grandfather had forced her to marry him. She had been innocent all along, yet he had resented her for two years.Edward raised his hand to cover his face. His throat tightened, and his eyes burned with unshed tears as sorrow washed over him.He couldn't stop thinki
"May, Ed knows that he was wrong. He's been looking for you these past few days," Yosef said.He continued, "I'll get someone to deal with Sharon. Can you please forgive him just this once? Give him another chance."Ed has fallen for you, though he didn't realize it until now. He just told me that he didn't want the divorce, and he even cried. I promise that he'll be a good husband to you from here on out."On the other end of the line, Macie's expression remained cold and unaffected by his words. She should've known better than to think that Yosef could resolve the divorce issue. She shouldn't have even picked up the call. Now, it seemed that Yosef was even pleading on Edward's behalf.Pigs flying, the world ending, or the sun rising in the west—any of those seemed more believable than Edward suddenly turning over a new leaf."Mr. Fowler Senior, you're asking me to give him another chance. But can I ask you to give me a chance to live?" Macie asked.On the other end of the lin
After breakfast, Nathan brought the lawyer to the Fowler residence. But the moment they arrived, Edward tried to send them away."Heh, feeling nervous? With all three parties here, you won't be able to accuse May of forging documents again." Yosef scoffed.Edward gritted his teeth as he shot a warning glare at the lawyer to stop him from speaking out of turn. He even secretly texted the lawyer to claim that the signature was forged.But Yosef saw right through it and ordered Nolan to confiscate all the communication devices from the lawyers representing both parties. The original documents were brought out for comparison. Yosef even had the attendants block Edward from getting close.In the end, the lawyers reached a unanimous conclusion. One of them stood up and reported, "Mr. Fowler Senior, this is indeed Mr. Edward's signature."The words hit Edward like a sudden blow. He stood frozen, and his eyes reddened as he shouted, "I didn't sign it. I swear I didn't."He continued,
"Back when you were in eighth grade and about to start high school, I refused to let your father's mistress into the family. I did everything to protect your position as the rightful heir and kept that woman's illegitimate child from ever being acknowledged as a Fowler," Yosef said.He went on, "But look at you. You grew up to be just like your father. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?"There wasn't a single curse word in the scolding, but to Edward, it was the harshest thing he'd ever heard. Every word cut deep and left him feeling wounded and exposed."I'm sorry, Grandpa… Paparazzi swarmed Sharon's hotel, and her bag was stolen. She lost her ID and couldn't check into a hotel," Edward explained in a low voice."And that's why you let her stay at your place? If you're so charitable, why don't you start taking in stray cats and dogs?" Yosef shot back.Edward was left speechless and unable to come up with a response."How long has she been staying there?" Yosef pr
At that moment, Sharon finally stirred awake by the door. Seeing Edward already awake, she propped herself up against the wall.Her voice was hoarse as she said, "Ed… can we start over? Let's forget about those two years. After all, we both made mistakes."Edward stepped out, and she grabbed his arm. However, he shook her off, his expression cold."I made myself clear last night. Don't bother playing the sympathy card. Move out of my place today.""Ed, Ed…" Sharon followed him. But after spending the night by the door, her limbs went numb, and she fell on the floor.She assumed that he would turn around like before, offer her a hand, and check on her. But this time, he didn't even glance back. He just slipped his shoes on and walked out the door.When Edward finally turned around, Sharon was still on the floor and looked at him with tearful eyes."Ed…" she cried out.But his expression was indifferent, and his eyes carried a cold chill."If you don't move out today, don't bl