Chapter 1
I’d spent nine months planning the perfect anniversary trip.
And yet, Nathan Whitmore insisted on bringing his secretary–despite my protests.
His excuse? “Work can’t wait.”
By day three, I asked for a divorce.
“Nathan, let’s divorce,” I said calmly.
He blinked. “Anna, is this some kind of joke?”
“I’m serious,” I said. “Let’s not waste each other’s time. This marriage is over.”
His brows shot up. “Care to explain that?”
I stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows of our hotel. Outside, the ocean was a brilli
suffocating blue.
We were supposed to be celebrating five years of marriage. This entire trip was something I’d
Now, all I could feel was disgust.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” I replied coolly.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Nathan turned. And there she was–Valerie Scott, his executive assistant.
d poured my
heart into.com
“Nathan, the ten o’clock conference call is about to start,” she said in that nauseatingly soft, syrupy voice.
Her eyes flicked toward me. A flash of smug satisfaction danced across her lips before vanishing.
I kept my expression neutral.
“You’ve been on over ten conference calls in just two days,” I said flatly. “Day and night, always with her.
Tell me, do you think there’s still a point in keeping this marriage going?”
Fathan frowned. “What’s so wrong with that? You know how important this merger is to me.”
“A merger?” I stepped closer and met his gaze head–on.
“You packed three suitcases for this trip. Two of them were filled with documents,
You didn’t even remember to pack me a single outfit–not even your own swimwear.
But you somehow managed to pack three dresses for Valerie. Care to explain that?”
He opened his mouth but nothing came out.
That’s when Valerie jumped in, wearing a mask of fake humility.
”
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Whitmore. This is all my fault,” she said with a downcast gaze, her bangs falling just so to frame her pitiful expression
“I didn’t plan the meetings properly and disrupted your anniversary plans.”
She stole a glance at Nathan, fingers brushing his wrist in a calculated gesture–one he didn’t bother to pull away from.
“Ms. Scott,” I said sharply, “this is a conversation between me and my husband. Stay out of it.”
She stepped back quickly. “Sorry, Mrs. Whitmore. That was inappropriate of me.”
Then, like a drowned puppy, she turned to Nathan and murmured, “I’ll go prepare the meeting notes. I’ll leave you two alone.”
Chapter 1
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“You’re not going anywhere,” Nathan snapped, grabbing her arm.
He turned to me, that familiar stubborn look burning in his eyes.
“Anna, don’t be unreasonable. You know my job’s different from most people’s.”
“Oh? So different that you need to share a room with your assistant until two in the morning?”
I pulled out my phone and clicked on a photo.
“So different that she gets to call you Nathan, but your wife has to make a reservation just to have dinner with you?”
Valerie’s face twitched–but she quickly morphed back into her innocent act.
“Mrs. Whitmore, please don’t misunderstand. Last night we just had too many files to go through-
“Shut up.”
I cut her off without mercy.
A
Nathan’s face darkened. “Anna! You can’t talk to her like that. Everyone at the company knows she’s
my most reliable assistant!”
I scoffed. “Then tell me, Mr. CEO–what exactly has she done for the company?
What deals has she secured on her own?”
He was silent.
Valerie lowered her head, pretending to be chastened. “You’re right, Mrs. Whitmore. I still have a lot to improve Ihr been? ease Mr. Whitmore’s workload the way I should.”
Nathan reached over and patted her shoulder protectively. Then he turned to glare at me.
“Enough, Anna! Valerie’s been working nonstop to help with the merger. You refuse to see her dedication
why?”
“Working nonstop?” I gave a cold laugh. “Yeah, even during our anniversary trip, she’s been glued to your side. How devoted.”
Nathan’s face turned red. “Do you have to be so passive–aggressive?”
“She’s my assistant. Her job is to assist me. What’s the big deal?
Or should I just throw everything away because of your little tantrum?
“Tantrum?” I echoed the word, laughing bitterly. “You think this is a tantrum?”
I pointed at Valerie.
“She stayed in your room until 2 a.m. last night. Meanwhile, I slept alone.
She touches you right in front of me and you don’t even flinch.
Ever since she joined the company, you’ve treated every word from her like gospel.
Even if I raise a single doubt –I’m automatically in the wrong.”
“You really think all this is just me being unreasonable?”
Nathan said nothing
Valerie stepped in again, voice trembling like a delicate reed in the wind.
“You really misunderstood, Mrs. Whitmore. I respect Mr. Whitmore. I’d never think of him that way.”
“Oh, please,” I sneered “I don’t buy your nonsense”
Nathan exploded. Like a fuse had been lit, he immediately pulled Valerie behind him like a shield.
Chapter 1
“Anna, that’s enough!”
“She’s my employee–and my friend. I won’t let you insult her like that!”
