Chapter 3

3 When I woke up the next morning at seven-thirty, Garrett was already gone. The master bedroom remained untouched from the night before, meaning he hadn't slept there either. Where he spent the night was no longer my concern.

I cooked myself breakfast while reviewing the divorce settlement sent by my attorney. I highlighted several clauses, added notes, and emailed them back for further revision.

When I arrived at the office, Garrett was already in. A coworker informed me that Garrett wanted to see me in his office immediately. I knew he wanted to pick a fight over last night, but conveniently, I also needed him to sign the revised divorce papers.

However, when I pushed the door open, I found Joyce Bennett sitting comfortably in his executive chair. She rested her chin on her hand, beaming at me. "Long time no see, Jocelyn."

Joyce was a glamorous woman with sharp features and a flair for high fashion. After studying abroad, she built an online persona as a wealthy socialite and amassed millions of followers. Back then, I often caught Garrett watching her videos.

He told me she was just a top-tier influencer signed under his agency. He claimed the team needed to study her branding strategy. It wasn't until a corporate gala that I discovered she was his college sweetheart. She had been the very first influencer his company ever signed.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Not really that long, is it? I see your face on my feed every single day." Joyce's smile widened. "Tell me about it. I keep telling Garrett to bring you along when we hang out, but he never listens." She playfully punched Garrett's arm.

Garrett stood beside her with dark circles under his eyes, clearly running on zero sleep. His heavy gaze remained fixed on me, trying to gauge my reaction.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Can't be helped. I'm just an employee. Besides, I have no interest in hanging out with strangers." "If there's nothing work-related, Mr. Cole, I'll get back to my desk."

As I turned to leave, Garrett's voice stopped me. "Where's lunch today? Bring it in for Joyce." ...

For five years of marriage, I had prepared nutritious meals for Garrett every single day. Worried that takeout would ruin his sensitive stomach, I woke up early every morning to prepare our lunch boxes. Garrett always ate every bite, leading me to believe he loved my cooking.

Until last month, when I overheard him venting to his assistant that my cooking was bland enough to starve a dog. He said, "A man needs to marry the woman he actually loves. Otherwise, how do you endure the boring routine of daily life?" I wasn't the woman he loved. To him, everything I did was an annoying waste of his time.

Remembering that, I let out a cold chuckle. "If you're hungry, Mr. Cole, I'll have your assistant order delivery." I paused and glanced at Joyce. "Miss Bennett needs one too, right? Make it two orders."

Garrett's eyes widened in disbelief. "I asked for the lunch you made! The home-cooked lunch!" Joyce looked between us, her eyes sparkling with faux innocence. "Garrett, did you upset Jocelyn? Why else would she refuse to pack your lunch?"

Garrett's expression turned venomous, his glare drilling into me. Joyce smirked, casually adjusting her collar to reveal a delicate silver pendant around her neck. It was the custom protection locket.

Because of Garrett's poor health, I had walked miles to a sacred chapel to have it blessed for him. No wonder he hadn't worn it lately―he had handed it over to another woman. Garrett noticed my gaze and stiffened, awkwardly trying to explain. "Joyce has been having a rough patch lately. I just lent it to her for good luck."

He quickly added, "It's only a temporary loan. Don't make a scene over nothing." Ignoring the sharp sting in my chest, I smiled faintly. "In that case, Miss Bennett can keep it." Garrett froze, caught off guard by my indifferent reaction.

Without another glance at them, I placed the printed divorce papers on his desk. "Look it over and sign it." Before either of them could speak, I walked out of the office.