Chapter 5

　　Through the airplane window, the city shrank to miniature. Only then did departure feel real.

　　I was wondering how Ayden would react when he found out that I had left. Surprise? Or perhaps he would feel relieved.

　　In my memory, we were intimate partners and the most compatible workmates. We were inseparable and envied by others as a perfect couple.

　　He knew that my parents had passed away early, and at that time, he held me and said, "I'll take good care of you. From now on, I am your family."

　　But how did it end up at "Her parents are gone, making divorce impossible"?

　　How did his care and sympathy twist into his certainty that I'd never leave?

　　My head throbbed until I stopped trying to figure it out.

　　The best way to deal with a painful relationship, as mentioned online, was to end it.

　　I closed my eyes and waited for the plane to take me to another country.

　　The plane landed, and I walked forward, carrying my luggage.

　　I heard the voice of my uncle Brian Pearson shouting while holding a sign.

　　I turned my head in surprise and saw him wheeling my elderly grandmother towards me.

　　Brian seemed to have not changed much in my memory, and my grandma's eyes remained loving.

　　"Krista, let me look at you carefully!"

　　My grandmother caressed my hand, her eyes also filled with tears.

　　"My dear, you suffered there. But when you come back to my place, no one will ever bully you again."

　　My grandma held my hand tightly and refused to let go. I never mentioned to them what had happened between me and Ayden. Maybe it was because the tiredness on my face couldn't be concealed anymore, or maybe it was the telepathy between a grandmother and her granddaughter.

　　I smiled.

　　My uncle was laughing happily beside me. "You should have come back earlier. After your parents passed away, you were all alone over there, and your grandmother was so worried."

　　Looking at my family who loved me so much, I felt guilty surging in my heart because I rarely came back to see them for the sake of Ayden. I promised, "Grandma, Brian, I won't leave anymore. I'll be with you every day!"

　　Ayden always thought that I was an orphan, but in fact, I still had an uncle and a grandmother.

　　I only mentioned going to visit my grandmother and uncle a few times, but he seemed to pay no attention at all.

　　He didn't care and wasn't concerned.

　　After I turned on my phone, there were a bunch of missed calls and countless voicemail messages.

　　The phone continued to vibrate.

　　My uncle frowned and said, "Is that guy still bothering you?"

　　I said, "It's okay, Brian. I will take care of it."

　　I answered the phone and was greeted by a barrage of accusations and insults.

　　"Krista! Where did you go? Who gave you the audacity to not answer my calls or reply to my messages?

　　"You made Leticia suffer, and you just walked away?

　　"Leticia is still crying now! I demand that you return to the office within an hour to apologize to her in person and explain to everyone that it was all because of your jealousy and resentment that you slandered her!"

　　Leticia was crying, gasping for breath. "It's okay. I'm not angry with Krista. I only blame myself for being so incompetent, making Mr. Baldwin worry so much about me..."

　　Ayden angrily accused, "Did you hear that? Krista, come back and apologize quickly. If you apologize sincerely, I'll pretend that nothing has happened. Otherwise, I will fire you right now!"

　　I sneered and found it quite amusing.

　　"Mr. Baldwin, we've already divorced. We no longer have any relationship."

　　Ayden seemed to remember the day when he signed the divorce agreement.

　　"I certainly know that we've divorced. It's a boss's order for an employee. Shouldn't you come back and apologize?"

　　I still replied calmly.

　　"Ayden, if I remember correctly, you also signed the resignation letter.

　　"We're not in a boss-employee relationship, and I have no obligation to respond to any of your messages or calls."

　　Ayden was taken aback for a moment. "When did you resign? Did I allow you to quit?"

　　"You did such a thing, and then you just left like that?"