Chapter 9
But Michael and I now lived in completely different worlds. Mine was moving forward. His was barren.
“Yvonne, now that we’re : no
His words made
“Please stop, Mr.
longer married, as a stranger, don’t I still have the right to pursue you? I’ll prove to you that I’m someone worth loving.”
in anger.
, I’d rather never see
you again. Your disgracefali
“Birds of a feather flock together. You and Natasha deserve each other. I wish y
record is already enough to make
sick.
both the best.”
My chest ached a little. Whether Michael found happiness or not was no longer my concern.
The words just slipped out by instinct.
He frowned, his face dark with sorrow. “But without you…”
11
I turned away. “No one is indispensable. Time will heal the pain.”
Without Michael, I never felt lost. I’d managed the firm’s most critical work, built the networks, developed the skills-
Staying with him was the real dead end.
At the new company, I thrived. Over time, I’d forgotten what it felt like to live under his control.
Even his face had started to fade from my memory.
Until one day, a call from an old colleague stirred up the past. “Yvonne, how’s life treating you these days?”
I guessed the reason for her call. Though I was calm, I was still curious–how had Michael’s firm fared without me?
“I’m doing great. Is this a personal call or business?”
Her voice dropped. “Mr. Grant’s law firm went bankrupt. No business left to talk about. I’m basically unemployed now.
right?”
“But you must be doing well now,
Truthfully, I wasn’t surprised. Even a year ago, the cracks were showing.
Michael wasn’t a rational person. He thrived only with me there.
Me leaving was like cutting off his right arm.
A man like that had no chance in this cutthroat field. His downfall was inevitable.
I wondered how he felt now, knowing his old staff had turned to me.
Those who followed the righteous thrived. Those who lost their way, fell alone.
Michael probably understood that better than anyone.
-more than enough to carve out a new path.
Chapter 10
