River was nearly shoved aside, his face darkening as a flush of anger crept up his neck.

"President Everly, how could you do something like this in front of Eulalie?" he demanded.

Claudette let out a low scoff.

"Oh? So the powerful can set fires, but the rest of us can’t even light a lamp?"

The air crackled with tension, the argument teetering on the edge of escalation.

I leaned in slightly, my voice low. "You should go first. I’ll be back soon."

Claudette cast one last sharp glare at Eulalie before turning on her heel, making her way leisurely back to the private room.

As soon as she disappeared from sight, Eulalie’s expression softened ever so slightly. Her voice, however, remained gentle only for the one in her arms.

"River, go back first. I need to talk to him."

He clearly wasn’t pleased but nodded nonetheless. "Alright, I’ll wait for you outside."

Silence settled over the hallway as his footsteps faded into the distance.

Only then did Eulalie finally speak, "If you’re trying to make me jealous, you don’t have to put on such an act."

I held her gaze, searching for the right words to describe the feeling in my chest. But none came.

Instead, my voice was calm and resolute.

"I won’t be involved in your company’s matters anymore."

She narrowed her eyes at me, studying my face before letting out a scoff.

"Oh? I was planning to have River take over your position anyway. You not showing up saves me the trouble of dealing with extra paperwork."

"You’re still the same as before, always trying to get my attention with these petty tactics. Honestly, I’m disappointed in you."

Arrogant. Conceited. Some things never changed. A quiet chuckle escaped me. "No need to trouble yourself over it. Since we ran into each other, you might as well sign the contract while you're at it."

For weeks, I had placed contract after contract in front of her, waiting for her signature.

Her company had been walking on thin ice, teetering on the edge of financial collapse. She needed partnerships desperately. Without them, the consequences would be irreversible.

I had handled everything for her, yet she never so much as glanced my way.

Just as expected, the moment she saw the word "contract," she scrawled her name across the page without hesitation.

Only then did her tone shift, growing softer as her gaze lingered on me.

"So this was about business. You could have just waited for me at home."

She paused as if expecting a reaction.

"I only brought River out tonight because of work. Don’t overthink it," she continued smoothly. "Tomorrow, I’ll take you to get our marriage certificate."

Taking back the document, I exhaled a silent sigh, masking the relief that settled in my chest. My voice remained indifferent.

"There’s no need. I don’t want to see you again."

She was just about to snap when her phone rang.

In an instant, her tone shifted into something softer, almost tender.

"Alright, alright, I’ll be right out." A brief pause. Then, with quiet concern, she added, "The wind is strong outside. Wait for me in the car."

She cast me one last glance before turning on her heel, the sharp clicks of her high heels fading as she strode away.

I lowered my gaze to the contract in my hands, a quiet chuckle escaping me.

This wasn’t a business contract.

It was the agreement to terminate our arranged marriage.

Back when we had set the wedding date, I had made her a promise, one she likely never even considered.

As long as she was my wife, I would have poured every ounce of my strength and resources into supporting her.

I had wanted her to understand that, despite how our marriage began, my feelings were real. I had been willing to give her everything.

We should have gotten our marriage certificate long ago.

But on the day we were supposed to, River fell ill, food poisoning, they said. She left without hesitation, running to take care of another man.

I waited outside the marriage registry the entire day. She never came.

Night fell and all I received was a single message:

[River is sick. I need to stay with him. We’ll get the certificate another time.]

I had been upset, but I didn’t blame her.

Now? I was just grateful.

Thankfully, we had never gotten the marriage certificate back then. Otherwise, we would have been bound together for life.

Thinking of Eulalie’s delicate features, I felt nothing. Not anger, not regret, just emptiness.

I had no idea if she even came home that night. But early the next morning, a message lit up my phone:

[River was overwhelmed and fell sick again! I can't make it to the City Hall today.]

I glanced at the message, then, without hesitation, swiped it straight into the trash, discarded as easily as spam.

By the time I saw it, five hours had already passed. No explanation. No apology.

I chuckled, but there was no humor in it. I had long since grown used to her ways, but now, all they did was leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Shaking off the thought, I gathered my things and headed to a business partner’s company to finalize an important collaboration.

Once, I had planned to give this opportunity to Eulalie’s company, hoping to ease her financial troubles.

But yesterday, I changed my mind. She wasn’t worthy.

The negotiations wrapped up seamlessly and soon, the contract was signed.

Just as I set my pen down, the meeting room door burst open.

Eulalie strode in, her sharp business suit accentuating her commanding presence. Behind her, River followed closely, dressed in formal attire.

The moment his eyes landed on me, he froze in shock.

"President Everly? Why are you here? Isn't this supposed to be our company’s deal? This—"

I rolled my eyes, my patience for him long depleted.

"And what does that have to do with you?"

Eulalie’s expression darkened. Stepping in front of River, she squared her shoulders and confronted me.

"I only postponed getting the marriage certificate and yet you're taking it out on River? He’s done nothing wrong."

The representative from the partner company quickly assessed the situation and made a tactful exit.

"President Everly, I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll send the follow-up details to your secretary’s email."

I gave a slight nod. River’s eyes reddened at the words.

"Larkin! Do you have any idea how many sleepless nights Eulalie spent working on this deal?"

"If you don’t care about her, I do! If you’re targeting me, I’ll leave! Just don’t hurt her!"

Only then did I bother looking at them again, my tone indifferent.

"Have you been drinking coffee? The smell is so strong."

River’s face turned an alarming shade of red.

Eulalie had reached her limit. Her voice was cold, clipped.

"I understand what you mean. As long as you return the deal to us, I’ll go to City Hall with you this afternoon. Isn’t marriage what you’ve always wanted? Why make things difficult for others?"

Once, I had been drawn to that haughtiness, mesmerized by the way she carried herself like she was above it all.

Now, it only felt exhausting. I had no intention of paying the price for her indifference any longer.

A quiet chuckle escaped my lips.

"Did you forget? We already called off the engagement."