Chapter 3

3

If she wanted him, why did she have to break me in the process?

I remember the day she told me she realized I was the one she truly loved.

She said she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me.

But eventually, I became nothing but a burden to her. I was the immature husband she had to babysit.

The worst part was that I always apologized first.

I was so afraid of losing her that I would crawl back every single time.

But compared to Gavin? One phone call from him was all it took to make her forget I existed.

What was I even doing there?

Years of being paranoid and fighting over another man eventually killed me. Seeing him hold her made my heart literally stop.

I wasted my life on a woman who didn't give a damn about me. It was embarrassing.

I stood in front of the mirror and straightened my collar. A genuine smile spread across my face.

I didn't look like a broken, desperate man anymore. My eyes were sharp and clear.

Fate gave me a second chance, and I wasn't going to waste it on her.

Caleb Sterling, the heir to the Sterling fortune and the hidden genius of the business world, was back.

I left the house and drove straight to the Sterling Group headquarters.

I had been involved in the family business since I was eighteen. My strategies had already made the company millions.

I had taken over the reins during college.

But I had let it all slide to focus on Sienna. I spent all my energy helping her through her heartbreak and fixing her business deals.

I never told her. I wanted her to feel powerful and capable on her own.

Because of that, she thought I was a trust-fund brat who lived off her hard work.

I guess a successful man like Gavin was more her speed.

When I walked into the office, the staff immediately straightened up. They still respected me.

I sat in my massive penthouse office and started reviewing the latest reports.

My secretary stood beside me. Her name was Sylvie Brooks.

She had been a grade below me in school and had followed me to this company after graduation.

She was always there, quiet and efficient, but I had been too distracted to notice her before.

"Sir, the projects you initiated before your leave are all on track," she said.

"Most of them are finalized. The company's cash flow is at an all-time high."

Sylvie sounded proud. She had clearly been working hard to keep things running.

I nodded, impressed by the financial statements. They were flawless.

Even when I wasn't here, the foundations I built were solid. My team hadn't let me down.

I looked up at Sylvie. "Are you free tonight?"

She blinked, looking a bit flustered. "Yes, sir. Is there a proposal that needs revising?"

I chuckled. The girl was a total workaholic.

"The proposals are fine. I'm asking if you'd like to grab dinner with me."

Sylvie's eyes lit up, but she hesitated. "Wouldn't your wife be upset?"

Upset?

I imagined Sienna right now, probably having the time of her life with Gavin.

He had timed his return perfectly for her birthday. It was the ultimate romantic gesture.

"We're getting a divorce," I said plainly.

I paused, then added, "But it doesn't matter. She wouldn't care anyway. It's just dinner."

I leaned back and gave a self-deprecating shrug. "Call it business requirements."

Sylvie didn't quite get the joke, but I saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes before she masked it.

We went to a quiet restaurant near the office. It felt like being back in the college cafeteria.

Even after all these years, Sylvie still seemed a little shy around me.