Chapter 4
Garrett’s gaze dropped from the computer to her suitcase. His throat burned, scorching all the way from his throat to his stomach.
He let out a cold laugh. His mocking voice was sharp and cruel.
“Bringing so little? What, planning to come back every so often to get the rest? Adrienne, did you forget how you got this position in the first place? I was engaged to Bethany, and you drugged me during our engagement party, made sure we were caught in bed together, and forced me to marry you.”
“It was my fault.”
She gripped the suitcase handle tightly, her face pale, the hem of her dress damp, her whole body seeming ready to collapse.
Her fingertips clenched as she fell silent for a moment and then forced herself to speak.
“Garrett, it’s been bothering me a lot. Why did you stop loving me?”
She had asked herself this question countless times over the past three years. Back when they curled up together in a cramped apartment, he once said Garrett would love Adrienne for a lifetime. Later, when he was found by the Melen- dez family, someone warned her to take the money and leave early, as the Melendez family would never accept a daughter-in-law like her.
But she didn’t listen. She clung to that promise, waiting for the day he would marry her in glory.
What she got instead was news of his engagement to Bethany. He told her he didn’t love her anymore.
How could love just disappear like that?
“Because you don’t deserve it.”
Those five words hit her like a hammer to the head.
She couldn’t describe the pain. Her heart ached.
When he loved her, he said she was the best girl in the world. When he didn’t, he simply said she didn’t deserve it.
With her lowly background, she had defended love in front of those wealthy, arrogant elites. To them, she was just a woman who didn’t know her place.
But she had always believed that his engagement was due to reasons beyond his control.
She had been lying to herself for three years. Now it was time to wake up.
She lifted her suitcase and walked to the entrance. “Then sign the papers. I’ll be waiting at the courthouse at noon to-
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morrow.”
After saying that, she changed her shoes, tucked her hair behind her ear, and smiled. “Garrett, I’m sorry. I’ve troubled you all these years.”
Garrett’s hand trembled around the contract files. His grip was so tight it nearly tore the paper. Then he suddenly let go, defeated.
“Yes. Finally free.”
Hearing that, Adrienne couldn’t deny that it hurt. She wanted to smile, but found she couldn’t.
So she simply turned and left.
Jared was waiting at the door. Seeing her with the suitcase, he looked troubled. “Mrs. Melendez, Mr. Melendez didn’t mean to leave you out tonight. He just…”
Adrienne dragged her suitcase into the rain as if she couldn’t stand staying another second.
But after walking a few steps, she stopped, looked at Jared, and asked softly, “Greystone Estate… the woman he’s been keeping there. Who is she? Can you tell me?”
Jared froze, head snapping down quickly as if shocked she knew about that place.
Seeing his reaction, Adrienne took a breath. “He’s been keeping someone there for three years, hasn’t he?”
“Mrs. Melendez, I’m sorry. I don’t know.”
How could he not? He was Garrett’s assistant. He handled everything for himself.
Adrienne wiped the light drizzle off her face. Her clothes were already soaked through. “It’s fine. If you don’t want to say it, forget it.”
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“Mrs. Melendez…”
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.