Over the years, no matter what Nathaniel said, I always followed through without complaint.

In life, I put him first, always.

But this time, it’s different.

“I refuse.”

I stared at Nathaniel, my gaze firm and unwavering.

He looked at me in disbelief.

Since we’d been together, I almost never went against his wishes.

Especially when he was angry—whatever he said, I would obey without question.

“Refuse to apologize and you’ll see what happens!”

He was seething with anger.

Just then, the call went through. A woman’s voice chirped from the other end of the line.

"Hello? Mr. Lewis? I’m helping you with your laundry. I didn’t expect your underwear to still have cartoons on them—so cute..."

Nathaniel’s expression changed instantly.

That normally arrogant face of his actually showed a flicker of panic.

He scrambled to explain, “It’s not what you think. I was just drinking at her place. I spilled soup on my clothes, so I changed... I was going to throw them out afterward…”

Watching him fluster like that, I remained calm. I took the phone and said to his so-called first love, “I’m Ivy. You don’t need to come to work anymore.”

Veronica didn’t back down—instead, she sneered.

“Ivy, don’t flatter yourself.”

“Who do you think you are?”

“On paper, you’re Nathaniel’s wife. In reality? You’re just a useless ornament he keeps around.”

“You’re old and washed up. He doesn’t care about women like you anymore. You have no right to give me orders.”

“This company? Only Mr. Lewis can fire me. You? Step aside!”

Her mockery and arrogance didn’t shake me. Not even a little.

Over the years, to help Nathaniel build this company, I endured more than most. I nearly lost my life for it.

Those experiences shaped me—taught me to remain calm no matter what storm came my way.

I said calmly, “You’ll regret this.”

She scoffed.

“Please. Save those scare tactics for kids. I’m not buying your act.”

She was tough.

I wasn’t mad either.

In fact, I was almost amused.

Ever since the company had stabilized, my heart hadn’t felt this stirred in a long time.

I didn’t argue with Veronica further. Instead, I handed the phone to Nathaniel. “Fire her.”

He took the phone and replied coldly, “It took effort to hire her. I’m not going to let her go so easily.”

“Then fire me,” I said, meeting his eyes.

“All these years and you’ve made no progress at all!” he snapped. “Still so petty and narrow-minded! She’s just a secretary—what’s gotten into you?!”

His shouting only made me calmer.

And then I said, with complete composure, “Then let’s divorce.”

The word hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Silence filled the room—so deep we could hear each other’s breathing.

He hadn’t expected it. Not from me.

But this wasn’t the first time I’d said it.

Four years ago, when the company was just beginning to take shape, I warned him to sever ties with the shady characters from his past.

He didn’t listen.

And it ended in disaster.

I took the fall—literally. I was stabbed protecting him and almost died.

As they wheeled me into the emergency room, I held his hand and said,

“If I die, then so be it. But if I survive this surgery and you still refuse to cut ties with your past… then we divorce.”

He cried and promised he’d do anything—anything—if only I survived.

But things are different now.

And for the second time, I said the word “divorce”.

I turned and walked toward the bedroom. Behind me, I heard Nathaniel shout, “Fine! Whatever—you want a divorce, then divorce!”

I froze for a second, gripped the door handle tightly, then opened the bedroom door and stepped inside.

Leaning against the door, I listened to the sound of him storming out.

Bang!

The sound of the front door slamming shut echoed through the house.

It felt like a door had slammed shut inside me too.

He was gone.

I curled up in the corner and cried.

The last time I cried like this, I was still in school.

Back then, I grew up alone, constantly bullied. I had no one, so I would hide in corners and cry by myself.

Nathaniel found me one day and grinned, “Why are you such a coward? What are you crying for? If someone bullies you, fight back.”

I didn’t take him seriously, but he threw his arm around my shoulder and started talking—about Peter, Kenedict, Benjamin.

That was the first time I realized that even a school delinquent could be more cultured than me.

I believed him.

And then... I got beat up again.

When he saw me with a swollen face and a bloody nose, he laughed until he couldn’t breathe.

I laughed too, foolishly.

But after that, the bullies weren’t so brazen anymore—because they knew I had learned to fight for my dignity. I was no longer someone they could toy with.

Since then, I hadn’t cried again.

Until now.

The tears of thirteen years surged like a broken dam, uncontrollable.

The next day, I covered my swollen eyes with sunglasses and went to the company.

Nathaniel wasn’t there.

Veronica spotted me and smirked arrogantly.

“Well, well, you really showed up.”

“Planning to fire me, huh?”

“Been a decorative vase for too long, now you think you’re the boss?”

“Do you even know your place anymore?”

“Good, keep acting like this. It’ll only make Nathaniel hate you more. I can’t wait for your divorce!”

Her mocking voice reminded me of a time—years ago—when the company hit a crisis and I was at my lowest.

Back then, Nathaniel comforted me like he always did, draping an arm over my shoulder:

“Remember what Peter said? Don’t get angry at the enemy. Anger only makes you dumber. Leave the rage to your enemies—let them scream in vain while you keep your cool.”

I asked, “Did Peter really say that?”

He blinked. “Who cares? As long as you get the point.”

I never verified whether Peter said that or not.

But over the years, I truly took those words to heart.

I looked calmly at Veronica. “Call Nathaniel. The company is about to hold a board meeting.”

“A board meeting?”

She let out a scornful laugh. “You? A nobody like you? You think you can convene the board? You really think you’re someone?”

I ignored her and walked straight to the boardroom.

The company’s operations had always been steered by me from behind the scenes.

The funding? I secured it.

In fact, most of the board members invested because of me—not him.

By the afternoon, the entire company was buzzing with a bombshell update.

“Several major shareholders have formed a unified front. They’re calling a board meeting to elect a new chairman.”

“I heard it’s going to be a major shake-up. Not just a new chairman, big personnel changes are coming.”

“This meeting will define the company’s future!”

When Nathaniel walked into the boardroom, his expression was dark. He sat across from me, his eyes cold and fixed on mine.

Unsurprisingly, after the majority vote, I was officially elected as the new chairwoman of the company.

I immediately began announcing a series of personnel changes.

Through it all, Nathaniel said nothing.

Until I called in Veronica.

The moment she saw me sitting at the head of the board table, her face turned pale with disbelief.

I looked at her calmly and gave my first official order as chairwoman.

“You’re fired.”

She immediately turned to Nathaniel, seeking help.

He stood up.

Even when he was removed as chairman, he didn’t protest—but now, he spoke.

“I object. Veronica is talented. The company should keep her.”

If this had been in the past—seeing him defend another woman—I might’ve felt jealous.

But now, I was calmer than I’d ever been.

“If there’s an objection, we’ll put it to a vote.”

And just like that, his objection became meaningless.

I held equal shares to his. And this time, the major shareholders were all on my side.

He stood alone. His protests held no weight.

Faced with the outcome, Nathaniel showed no surprise. He said nothing and left the boardroom with Veronica.

I watched them leave, unmoved, then turned back to resume the meeting.

When it ended, several of the older shareholders came over to speak with me.

“Mrs. Sena, no matter what happens, we support you. But the tension between you and your husband, please handle it wisely. Don’t let outsiders take advantage and ruin everything.”

“Yes, Mrs. Sena,” another nodded. “I still remember when you knelt at my door begging for investment. Be careful.”

Their concern was sincere—but not just for me. It was for their own interests too.

I shook their hands and thanked them one by one.

That evening, when I returned home, the aroma of a home-cooked meal greeted me.

In the kitchen, Nathaniel was busy stir-frying.

I’d expected him to disappear for a while. I never thought he’d be here, cooking.

I couldn’t even remember the last time he made a meal at home.

Maybe two years ago. Maybe three. Maybe longer.

“You’re back?” he said casually.

“Wash your hands, dinner’s ready.”

He brought a dish to the table. The gentleness in his voice felt both familiar and unfamiliar.

I looked at him coldly. “So, what are your thoughts on the divorce?”

He visibly tensed. The plate in his hand almost slipped.

He set it down carefully and forced a smile. “Food first. Man is iron, rice is steel—you need strength to talk about things.”

“Fine.”

I washed up and sat at the table, watching him move in and out of the kitchen.

For some reason, my eyes stung.

Maybe it was the tears from last night, still lingering.

Or maybe… it was something else.

Something warm.

A feeling I hadn’t felt in years.

After dinner, he poured me a cup of tea.

“Next Wednesday’s your birthday,” he said. “Feels like it’s been forever since I last celebrated it with you.”

“How about we go on a short vacation—just the two of us?”

I looked at him silently for a long time.

Then, in a calm voice, I said again, “About the divorce…”

He took my hand and said softly, “Don’t divorce me. Please.”