Chapter 2

2、

I went back to my father's house to sort through his study, only to find Garrett's name on numerous major contracts.

Several of those projects were still in progress.

Now that the primary executive had passed away, the secondary person in charge had to take over immediately.

I had not contacted Garrett once since the funeral.

However, since these business affairs required his direct handover, I swallowed my pride and dialed his number.

The line rang until the automated voicemail picked up. He never answered.

Just as I set the phone down, it rang.

Garrett's voice came through, cold and impatient. "Callie? Why are you calling? Don't you know I'm busy?"

It was always that accusatory tone.

Busy? Busy wining and dining his first love?

I had no desire to argue with him, so I kept my response curt.

"We can talk when you are done being busy."

I hung up immediately.

Up until the day Garrett landed back in the city, neither of us exchanged a single call.

I did not know whether he intentionally avoided me or if Leila simply never passed along my messages.

None of that mattered anymore since our marriage was practically over.

That afternoon, I walked through the corporate headquarters for a routine check and noticed the conference hall doors were open.

Garrett was standing by the presentation board, delegating project tasks with sharp authority. Leila was seated beside him, gazing at him with rapt attention.

Garrett had an enviable physique, broad shoulders and a narrow waist that gave him the presence of a runway model.

Even in a crowded room, he commanded attention effortlessly.

Watching him command the room of dozens of executives with such ease, I realized he was no longer the cautious young man I met three years ago.

The once-earnest young man had transformed into a ruthless corporate elite, and his heart had turned just as cold.

When the meeting wrapped up, people began filtering out into the corridor.

Garrett walked at the back of the group, chatting intimately with Leila.

They looked completely at ease with each other.

I had no intention of interrupting them, so I turned around to head back toward my office.

Suddenly, Garrett's voice cut through the hallway. "Callie, wait a second."

I looked over my shoulder.

This was our first face-to-face interaction in nearly a month.

A simple greeting from him made a wave of nausea hit my stomach.

I pressed a hand against my chest, forcing the bile down.

He walked over to me, but turned his head to speak gently to Leila first. "Leila, go back to the office and get some rest."

Leila offered me a slight nod, flashing a triumphant smile before brushing past me.

"I came straight to the office for meetings right after landing," Garrett said, looking at me. "Take my luggage home tonight and get my suits washed."

I stared at him in disbelief.

The very first thing he demanded upon his return was for me to do his laundry.

I frowned, meeting his eyes evenly. "I forgot to mention, I have already drafted our div―"

"Mr. Cole!" Leila called out from down the hall. "Director Thornton is here from across town for your next meeting!"

Garrett patted my shoulder dismissively. "We will talk at home tonight. I have to get to this meeting."

Watching him rush into the next conference room, my stomach churned violently.

I bolted into the nearest restroom and threw up until my throat burned.

Staring at my pale reflection in the mirror, a wave of apprehension hit me.

Could I be pregnant?

I placed a trembling hand over my lower abdomen. If there really was a life growing inside me, should I keep it?

After washing my face and pulling myself together, I decided to wait until his meeting finished so I could hand him the divorce papers.

I could not guarantee he would come home tonight, nor could I count on him answering my texts.

Certain things needed to be settled face to face.

His meeting lasted nearly two hours, leaving me dozing off on the lobby couch.

Suddenly, the heavy doors opened, and the executives poured out.

I scrambled to my feet, smoothing down my clothes.

Director Thornton stepped out first and spotted me immediately.

"Is Callie really this attached to young Garrett? Waiting out here for him this late?"

The surrounding executives chuckled and chimed in playfully.

Garrett's face darkened, his glare piercing straight at me as if demanding to know why I had not left yet.

Director Thornton smiled warmly. "Well, why don't you join us for dinner? None of us have eaten yet!"

The group began moving toward the elevators, and I quietly fell to the very back.

Garrett stayed glued to Director Thornton's side, discussing business strategies.

I planned to slip away the moment everyone crowded into the elevator.

It was clear I would not get a chance to discuss the divorce tonight anyway.

While I was lost in thought, someone called my name.

"Callie, hurry up and get in!"

I looked up to see the elevator doors held open, with a narrow space left right in the center.

I had no choice but to step inside.

Garrett stood right behind me, pressed against my back as the elevator filled to capacity. His arms instinctively wrapped around my waist to steady me.

Uncomfortable with the proximity, I tried to shuffle forward to create some distance.

A low, irritated whisper brushed against my ear. "Why are you squirming in a crowded elevator? Are you trying to fall?"

With that, Garrett pulled me even tighter against his chest.