Their behavior had already crossed the line between boss and assistant.

Anyone watching would've assumed Ethan was Nora's husband.

I'd confronted her about him before. Every time, I was the one who ended up apologizing.

The Nora standing before me now was nothing like the woman I'd married.

I took a deep breath. "Those two projects I'm leading are critical to the company's transformation. The clients trust me specifically—"

"You're always going on about your own abilities," Ethan cut in, voice dripping with mockery. "Don't forget—without the company backing you, what would those abilities even be worth? Ride the right wave and even a pig can fly. Wouldn't you agree?"

Before I could respond, Nora waved her hand impatiently. "Enough. Stop acting like the company will collapse without you."

"Ethan's just as capable as you are. He just hasn't had the chance to prove it yet."

"Hand over your projects to him. The rest isn't your concern."

"And stop arguing. I run this company. When I make a decision, you follow it."

I looked at her impatient expression. At Ethan's smug grin.

I nodded.

"No need to wait until the end of the month. I'll submit my resignation now."

I paused.

"And while I'm at it, I'll draft a divorce agreement. I hope you'll sign it."

Nora froze.

Ethan's eyes flickered with barely concealed delight before he schooled his features into wounded concern. "What are you doing? I know you've never liked me. If you don't want me taking over as VP, just say so. Why drag divorce into this to threaten her?"

Nora's expression darkened. She clearly bought every word.

"Getting bolder, aren't you?" she spat. "Playing games right to my face?"

"Using divorce to control me? You think this pathetic little trick is going to work?"

"You're underestimating me, Alex."

"Go ahead. Get your divorce papers. Let's see if I dare to sign them."

She was worked up now—voice rising, eyes blazing.

She was absolutely certain I'd never leave. That I'd never give up my position in the Simmons family. That certainty made her fearless.

I didn't hesitate.

I walked out, and within the hour, I had both documents ready—the resignation letter and the divorce agreement.

When Ethan saw the clause stating I'd leave with nothing, his excitement was almost impossible to hide.

Still, he kept up the act.

"Stop this," he said, voice soft with feigned concern. "She's pregnant. How can you threaten her like this? What if the stress hurts the baby?"

He shook his head slowly.

"Besides... you love her so much. Could you really go through with it?"

"If you don't want me in your position, fine—I'll stay her assistant. I'll even resign if seeing me bothers you that much."

"Just... please don't let your marriage fall apart because of me. I couldn't live with myself."

His voice cracked on the last words. His eyes glistened, as if tears might spill at any moment.

Ethan Mason's little performance made my skin crawl.

But Nora ate it up.

She shot me a vicious glare and scrawled her signature across the divorce agreement.

"I've approved your resignation, and I've signed this. You can leave now."

"Alex, the moment you walk away from me, everything you have goes back to zero."

"You'll regret it. I'll be waiting for the day you come crawling back."

I looked at her for a long moment. Said nothing. Turned and walked out.

I already regretted it.

Regretted meeting her. Getting to know her. Walking down that aisle with her.

The moment I stepped through the company's front doors, I exhaled long and slow.

My mood was still heavy, but my whole body felt like I'd just shed a suit of armor.

Years ago, Nora had treated me as her only pillar. I'd devoted myself completely to protecting her, to pushing her forward. To make Simmons Corp thrive, I'd poured in every ounce of energy I had.

And the whole time, watching her and Ethan circle each other—it made me furious. Helpless. I kept dragging it out, never able to decide.

Now that I'd finally cut through the mess, it was time to rest.

In the parking garage, I pulled out my keys and was about to drive off when Linda Finch from Finance jogged over.

She gave me an awkward look. "Mr. Gilbert, Ms. Simmons just called down. She said since you've resigned, the car is company property, so…"

She trailed off. I got it.

I smiled bitterly, tossed her the keys, and walked away.

When I cabbed back to the villa complex, the guard at the gate stopped me.

Manager Finch was there too, wearing an apologetic smile. "Mr. Gilbert, Miss Simmons just called. Your access card and facial recognition have been revoked. You can't enter the complex anymore."

"Did something happen between you two?"

"Maybe you could call her and sort it out?"

"We're caught in the middle here—it's pretty awkward for us."

What could I even say?

How much money I'd made for Simmons Corp over the years—others might not know, but Nora knew exactly.

And I'd never seen a dime of real compensation.

In her words: what's mine is yours. We're husband and wife, one body. No need to keep score.

So nothing was in my name. The luxury cars, the house—all under Nora's name.

Even my bank account had never held more than ten thousand dollars.

Standing there at the gate, I smiled at myself.

Laughing at how stupid I used to be.

That night, Nora brought Ethan home.

On the drive, she told him, "I know Alex. He can't survive without me."

"He's probably waiting at the gate right now."

"When we get there, you mock him first. I won't even acknowledge him. Let him stand out there all night."

"Tomorrow, he'll kneel and apologize…"

A flicker of reluctance crossed Ethan's face. He said smoothly, "Mr. Gilbert's pretty stubborn. What if he won't apologize?"

"You already signed the divorce papers and approved his resignation. What if he—"

Nora cut him off. "There is no 'what if.' Alex will apologize to me."

"This time, I'm going to teach him a real lesson. From now on, everything revolves around me—no exceptions, no questions asked."

"Just play your part when the time comes."

A flicker of cold calculation passed through Ethan's eyes, though he nodded with practiced deference.

When they reached the villa community entrance, Manager Finch was still waiting.

Nora didn't bother getting out. She lowered her window and addressed him coolly. "Good work, Manager Finch. Keep it up. Without my explicit permission, Alex Gilbert is not to set foot in this community again."

Manager Finch's expression shifted—something caught in his throat he couldn't quite say.

Nora didn't notice, but Ethan did.

His face darkened. "Don't tell me you let him in."

"Need I remind you who the actual homeowner is here? Alex Gilbert is nothing but a live-in son-in-law. You want to keep your job, you follow Ms. Simmons's orders."

Nora's gaze turned icy. "What happened?"

Sweat beaded on Manager Finch's forehead. "Miss Simmons, Mr. Gilbert did enter the community. But it wasn't a security lapse—he was invited."

They both froze.

"By whom?" Nora demanded.

Manager Finch hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Your former friend. The Pruitt heiress. She's also a homeowner here. She invited Mr. Gilbert to her residence, and we had no grounds to refuse."

Nora's face went dark.

"Drive," she snapped at Ethan. "To Vivian's house. Now. I want to know exactly what she thinks she's doing."

At that moment, I was having tea at the Pruitt residence.

Harold and Margaret Pruitt had been chatting with me for hours. The way they looked at me grew increasingly peculiar—like parents sizing up a future son-in-law, and liking what they saw more with each passing minute.

That morning, when I'd been stopped at the community gate, Vivian happened to be driving home. The moment she understood the situation, she'd practically dragged me into her car without a word.

Vivian and Nora had been classmates, then best friends. Their families' wealth was comparable, and when Nora's parents died in that car accident, Vivian had stepped up immediately. Without her help, I never could have stabilized Simmons Corp so quickly, no matter how hard I worked.

They really had been inseparable once—the kind of friends who shared everything.

When did it fall apart?

About six months ago.

I'd been buried in two critical transformation projects at Simmons Corp, barely coming up for air. Meanwhile, Ethan had joined the company as Nora's assistant. The chemistry between them became impossible to ignore.

Vivian confronted Nora about it—defending me.

Nora exploded. Accused Vivian of having ulterior motives. Of wanting me for herself.

Just like that, years of friendship ended.

Looking back now, it still felt surreal.

After dinner, Harold and Margaret excused themselves. I moved to leave too, but Vivian stopped me, insisting I stay for tea.

"What's the rush?" She smiled. "Afraid I'll eat you? You just divorced Nora. You've got nowhere to be. Would it kill you to keep me company for a while?"