Divorce!
"You guys, go; I'll be back in a moment." Emma stood still.
"Okay." The colleagues who came to have dinner together left first.
From where she stood, Emma could only see through the gap in the door and observe a figure in the private room ahead.
It was her husband, Marcus.
He wore a custom-made Western suit, the delicate fabric of which gave him an aura of cold aloofness. His high nose, dark eyes, and thin lips exuded a sense of stern aloofness.
He was born with a flawless, gorgeous, and dazzling appearance.
A beautiful woman in a magical dress sat on Marcus' lap, kissed his face, and said with a smile, "President Marcus, let's make a toast to celebrate the successful completion of the contract. I hereby sign the contract as it is now."
Marcus tilted his head slightly to look at the woman in his arms, revealing his sharp Adam's apple. He smiled as he raised his glass, keeping one hand on her delicate waist to support her.
Emma's hands trembled slightly as she typed a message on her phone: "Come home by 11:00 p.m. I'll be waiting."
In the private room, Marcus felt the phone vibrate, glanced at it, and then left it on the table.
Emma looked away, a sharp pain shooting through her heart.
They had known each other for years before getting married. They had a secret wedding that year, and Marcus was abroad for half of that time. For the remaining six months, he worked overtime or went to social events every day and returned home at 2 or 3 in the morning. Before dawn, he went to work again.
Emma noticed that he was focused on his career, but the scene before his eyes was too bright for her.
Before going home for dinner, Emma went to the mall and bought a sexy silk nightgown and a rose. She spread the rose petals on the bed and changed into a new nightgown.
But as she expected, when the clock struck 11, the person she was waiting for did not come home.
At 3:00, Marcus returned.
After showering, he emerged from the bathroom with a white towel around his waist, revealing his toned abs. He lay down naked, having removed the towel.
He gently took Emma in his arms. His hand touched the fine silk of her nightgown.
At that moment, he held his breath in surprise.
He slid his palm under the spaghetti strap of Emma's cleavage.
"Marcus, I have something to tell you," said a soft, low voice.
"Did I wake you up?" Marcus lowered his head to see Emma's bright eyes. He didn't let his hand move down to her chest, gave her a kiss, and said, "We'll talk tomorrow. It's too late now. Go to sleep."
Emma thought that if she waited until tomorrow, she would never be able to speak.
He always left before waking up in the morning.
Emma reached out to turn on the bedside lamp and stared at him. "I have one thing to say. You must come home before 10 p.m. at least twice a week from now on. I am not asking you; I am telling you."
"Okay, I'll do my best." Alcohol and social obligations wore Marcus down. His tone was lazy.
"It's not about doing your best; it's a necessity." Emma wanted a definite answer from him.
Marcus opened his eyes again, his handsome features drooping slightly. "Just last month, I became marketing director. Today I signed a big project. I am very busy now. Now don't tease me."
Of course, Emma knew that she had signed a big project today.
Not only did she know, but she also saw it happening.
Thinking about the scene in the private room, Emma laughed bitterly. "A woman who asks her man to come home early creates a little anger. How ironic."
Marcus kissed her red lips again and lingered happily on them. He muttered, "If you're bored, you can bring grandpa for a while."
Emma pulled him away when he mentioned Grandpa. She was barely keeping her fury under control. "What's the point of bringing him here? To let him know that his granddaughter has been married for a year but her husband has not touched her? Is she simply a prop?
"I didn't neglect you on purpose. I'm already exhausted when I get home every day," Marcus rubbed his temple.
He had to wake up early tomorrow to organize work for a new project. He only slept 3 hours tonight.
Marcus looked at the time. He didn't want to argue with Emma anymore and said, "I can't come home early. If you keep me going like this, we'll just divorce."
"A divorce?" Emma was taken aback, her heart sinking for a moment.
She simply desired some of his time and a better equilibrium between their personal lives and his work commitments. But in return, he divorced.
Marcus gave up a job he loved and followed through on his arrangements to join him at Macro Ocean. She ran home early every day, waiting for him longingly.
All these concessions were so different from his own.
After a year of such sultry days, the divorce was the last straw.
Emma turned off the bedside lamp. Her voice was surprisingly calm in the dark. "Bone, it's disgusting."
Marcus's breathing stopped. "You're that lusty? I can't come home early to satisfy you, but that's why you really want to break up."
"Mr. Marcus is right. I'm just lusty. Break up with me tomorrow. I'm going to find a person who will let me experience heavenly happiness." There must be men who can satisfy me!"
Marcus laughed angrily through gritted teeth. The veins on his forehead throbbed wildly. "Okay, since you're asking for trouble, we part ways. See you tomorrow at the civil affairs office."
Marcus was wide awake now. He got dressed and went to the office.
The next morning, the two of them received the divorce certificate on the spot from the civil affairs office.
The procedures were done much faster than Marcus had imagined.
Returning to his office, Marcus looked at the divorce certificate on his desk and felt completely exhausted.
A month ago, the company learned that the vice president and then director of marketing had embezzled a huge amount of public funds. Those two crucial positions remained vacant.
Marcus was promoted to marketing director despite his limited experience. Because it was not a proper handover, the former marketing director left a big mess.
The Vice President was transferred from the headquarters of Macro Ocean to the Southeast branch. He will arrive in a few days. As a new employee, who knew what temperament this new VP had? There would be an adjustment period at work.
It was beneficial to take some time apart. Use this period while Emma is occupied to reflect on yourself.
…
Proof in hand, Emma went to HR and applied for an employee dormitory.
The Macro Ocean staff dormitories, each about 50 square meters in size, were situated near the company in various parts of the city. They usually accommodated two people per suite. Not wanting to share, she chose a dilapidated apartment far away where no one lived. This is where she lived before she married Marcus.
The application process was easy. Emma only had to fill out a form to get the key.
She moved her things away before Marcus got home from work and moved into the dorm. She thought she felt broken and couldn't sleep.
But instead of leaving Marcus without expectations and having to wait for her husband to come home, she actually slept very soundly.
An emotionally taxing relationship has ended. She felt a sense of liberation and relief wash over her—a newfound freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time.
What a mistake. She should have left sooner!
The next day, after work, Emma went to a bar.
She met with a female colleague in the legal department tonight to discreetly inquire about the company's employment contract.
Three years ago, when she and Marcus finished their studies, she originally wanted to join the entertainment industry. But Marcus asked him to join Macro Ocean. So she joined the advertising department as a contract model.
Now that she broke up with Marcus, she should quit that job too.
Emma sat alone at the bar and drank, quietly waiting for her colleague. With high heels, a tight pencil skirt, a simple white shirt, and long silky hair past her waist, the curve of her slender waist was barely hidden, which inevitably attracted the eyes that couldn't look away.
Some handsome men approached Emma one by one and tried their luck, but left disappointed.
When Marcus arrived, he saw this sight. The imposing shadow moved to sit next to Emma. She turned and looked at Marcus.
"You said you would find a man to experience heavenly bliss with. So you are here today to choose one?"
Emma looked Marcus up and down mockingly. "President Marcus actually has time to come to the bar? How surprising."
Marcus was wearing a very formal suit. His sharp side profile and whole body radiated a precocious weight that belied his age.
His tone was bright as he spoke. "I'm here with the company's top management to welcome the new vice president. Don't underestimate the challenges of my job."
"I never thought President Marcus' job was easy. President Marcus doesn't need to depress me," Emma frowned in disgust. "Besides, since we are separated, he has nothing to do with me, regardless of whether President Marcus is busy at work or not. I don't have to come tell you."
"I just wanted to see which man you chose to replace me with, to see if he's good enough for you." Marcus laughed coldly, a tinge of jealousy in his voice.
"It's perfect, President Marcus. Thank you for paying attention to things," Emma said with a smile and gestured to the bartender. "Hey, charming, what services do you offer here?"
The handsome bartender had already noticed her amazing beauty and overheard their conversation.
"We have a lot. Whatever you want, I'll make sure you're completely satisfied."