Chapter 8

I refused to sign the divorce agreement.

The very next day, Felix pulled out of every single collaboration that involved me.

A huge chunk of the Hastings family fortune was tied up in the medical industry, and as a top-notch academic in that field, he had the power to make a big impact.

To be honest, in my past life, I married him because I saw the advantages.

I knew Felix was done with me, but when I found out he had handed over all those projects to Debra, it still broke my heart.

At the same time, I couldn't really blame him.

In our previous life, he was aware that Debra was the innocent one, while I was the one who used underhanded tactics to get what I wanted.

But his decision to cut ties with me was like a warning to everyone else in the business.

Suddenly, I was left all alone, with no one to support me.

*****

I decided to try and win Felix back.

[Felix, are you at school?]

[I made some lunch. Can I bring it to you?]

Never expecting him to fall back in love with me, I just hoped he'd remember the good times we'd had and not be too harsh on me.

Staring at my phone, waiting for a reply that didn't come, I felt so embarrassed. Even after our huge argument the day before, when it came to my own interests, I was still willing to beg him for help.

I planned to cook Felix a nice meal and take it to him myself.

But then I realized that I had no idea what he liked to eat.

He, on the other hand, probably knew every single one of my preferences by heart.

After all, in our past life, one of his favorite things to do was spoil me with delicious food.

I wasn't really that picky, but I loved winding him up.

"Felix, this spaghetti's as tough as shoe leather.

"Ugh, now it's mush! No one will like it.

"Felix, you know I don't like spicy food.

"Wait, since when did you start cooking such bland food?"

Only once did I truly rile Felix up.

He fixed me with a grave stare and asked icily, "Amy, do you really think I'll always be here for you, no matter what?"

I looked down at my nails and replied, "Then leave."

And he did.

He stormed out into the freezing 32-degree Fahrenheit chill without so much as a coat, proof he was furious.

Later that day, I texted: [Felix, I miss you.]

The door flew open almost instantly.

Felix hauled me into his arms, the bite of the outdoors still clinging to his skin.

His face buried in my neck, he murmured, "Yes. I'll always be here for you."

In my past life, wrapping Felix around my finger had been more effortless than training a dog.

*****

After the third time I cut my hand and stared at the charred wreck in the pan, I came back to my senses.

It dawned on me that cooking was a talent I'd never inherited.

I ordered from Culinary Delights instead and then artfully arranged the food in a lunch box.

Felix might not tell the difference between my "home-cooked" meal and takeout, anyway.