Part 8

The plane touched down just as dusk settled in.

The evening sky was painted with vibrant hues, spreading across the horizon like a dream come to life.

I had just stepped outside the airport when a young woman dressed in light sportswear walked up to me.

"Hello, Mr. Lucas? I'm here to pick you up for the company."

"Thanks, and please, just call me Lucas."

I gave a nod, offering a sincere thank you.

"Ha ha, alright, Lucas. I'm Sophie Lee, your work assistant from now on. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sophie extended her hand with an easy smile. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows and sparkling eyes gave her an approachable warmth, making it impossible not to feel at ease around her.

Her friendly demeanor, however, made me feel a bit awkward in return.

"My legs are kind of numb from the flight. How about we grab a bite to eat?" I suggested, trying to change the subject.

Sophie playfully stuck out her tongue, unfazed by the idea.

"Sure!"

I picked a nearby restaurant, and as Sophie went to the restroom, my phone buzzed. It was Amanda.

I quickly hung up, but she didn't let go.

I answered the call slowly, and before I could say anything, Amanda's voice stormed through the speaker.

"Lucas, what the hell is going on? Why weren't you at today's meeting?"

"Now that you're gone from the Johnson Group, you're nothing but a street rat!"

I answered calmly, "Thanks for your concern, Ms. Johnson."

I had no idea where she got that confidence.

The trust the shareholders placed in her, the position she had—it was all built on what?

On my countless late nights, sealing deals, and making connections.

Now that we were apart, the meager salary she offered me was nothing. I could easily find another job.

After a brief silence, her tone shifted to a cold, calculating one.

"Think carefully. You're the one who chose to leave. Don't expect any extra compensation. I won't give you a penny more than what's stated in the contract..."

"Stop," I interrupted her.

"I'm the one resigning. As per the contract, I'll get what I'm entitled to."

Perhaps it was my calm tone that pushed her over the edge. Her voice now dripped with mocking sarcasm.

"Lucas, you really need to think this through. You're not getting any younger. You never understood who you were. It was I who gave you a place here, and look at what you've become. Seems like I've been too kind. You'll regret this. Don't come crying when you're begging on the streets."

What a joke.

I chuckled bitterly, too tired to waste more energy on her.

"The one who needs to wake up is you."

She couldn't see beyond her own perspective. She thought her success gave her the right to look down on everyone else. Maybe if she took a moment to reflect on how the company's deals were made, she might regret her words.

"The divorce papers are on the table. Just sign them when you get a chance."

Her voice grew even colder.

"Don't joke with me. My patience has limits."

Even now, she still thought that my request for a divorce was just me throwing a tantrum.

"I'm not joking."

Glancing at Sophie as she returned from the restroom, I softened my tone.

"I've already found a new job. I'm not going back to that life. Don't contact me unless it's about the divorce."

Amanda's voice was sharp and furious, "You changed jobs? Why didn't you discuss this with me?!"

"Do you not care about this marriage anymore?!"

Marriage?

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

For the past two years, that so-called "home" had mostly been just me—alone.

I was tired. Tired of waiting for Amanda to come home night after night.

Tired of lying awake, unable to sleep, turning restlessly in bed.

"Hasn't that 'home' already ceased to exist for you?"

"Amanda, stop bothering me."

"If I were you, I'd have agreed to the divorce long ago!"

Her voice grew frigid.

"Five years of marriage, and you think you can just walk away like this? What am I to you?"

"Is this how you repay me?"

"You're not even a man!"

In that moment, Amanda sounded like nothing more than a spiteful, unreasonable person. She couldn't let go of the thrill her affair brought, but at the same time, didn't want to give up her obedient, full-time husband.

I sighed and ended the call, not willing to continue this pointless argument.

This marriage was definitely over—no matter how hard she resisted. It was inevitable.

Sophie sat back down, noticing the shift in my mood.

"What happened?"

"Nothing," I replied, setting my phone aside.

Despite the interruption, Sophie's lively, humorous conversation soon lifted the atmosphere. We talked about the branch office and the projects we'd be working on.

In the meantime, my phone buzzed nonstop with calls and messages from Amanda—demanding answers and sending insults.

I turned my phone off. Out of sight, out of mind.

The next few days, I focused entirely on my work, striving to integrate into the team. Even though we were all part of the same company, we had never worked together before, so there were a lot of details to iron out.

Luckily, my new colleagues were friendly, and my skills allowed me to quickly build rapport. Soon, the entire team was working in perfect harmony.

My quiet, humble demeanor was well-received by everyone, and I felt at ease in the group.

After work, we would often go out for meals, and they even invited me to their homes.

Sophie was always there, full of energy and laughter. She had a way of making people feel good, and everyone liked having her around.

Over time, my relationship with Sophie grew deeper.