Chapter 6

Only when I heard his steady breathing did I finally relax.

He was finally asleep...

I stared at Caleb, who was still holding my hand even in his sleep, my mind a complex swirl of thoughts, too troubled to sleep.

We met in high school, dated in college, and married after graduation. Everything was unbelievably smooth.

We were the perfect couple in everyone's eyes, a match made in heaven.

Even we thought we'd walk through life hand in hand...

Unfortunately, no matter how strong the feelings, they couldn't withstand the wear and tear of time.

One misunderstanding after another, one test after another, one confrontation after another, until eventually, we had nothing left to say to each other.

I reached out, tracing Caleb's handsome features.

How did we end up like this?

A night of worry resulted in a splitting headache when I woke up.

Caleb, on the other hand, was full of energy, striking poses in front of the mirror in a crisp suit.

"Hazel, you're awake!"

He enthusiastically leaned in and gave my sleepy face a kiss.

A good morning kiss. It had been... a long time.

"I made breakfast! Even your favorite fried eggs!"

"I can't believe I'm thirty in the blink of an eye! Skipped all the college entrance exams, university, and job hunting, and became a powerful CEO directly!"

"Hazel, what kind of CEO am I?"

"Am I the kind who can take down competitors with a snap of his fingers, a big shot who makes millions in minutes?"

He adopted a cool, aloof posture. "It's getting chilly. Time to bankrupt Evergreen Enterprises."

Me: ...

What to do? My head hurt even more.

The current Caleb wasn't the savvy Mr. Sterling who knew the ins and outs of the company, was skilled at managing people, and acted decisively.

He was an 18-year-old goofball who could only strike poses and babble.

If this Caleb went back to the company, it wouldn't be "Time for Evergreen to fall," it would be "Time for Sterling Corp to crash and burn in minutes."

I hastily finished the breakfast Caleb had meticulously prepared, deciding to accompany him to work.

Even with the mindset of an 18-year-old, 30-year-old Caleb certainly looked impressive.

Dressed in a sharp suit, composed and serious, he appeared to be a business elite...

That is, as long as he didn't speak.

Caleb held my hand, subtly surveying his company, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

But the other employees were whispering.

"How come Ms. Hayes is here?"

"Aren't they getting a divorce?"

"Keep your voice down, Mr. Sterling is still holding her hand!"