Chapter 5
Gabriel clearly hadn’t expected me to be outside. As he realized I’d heard everything, he opened his mouth to snap back at me.
But Skylar jumped between us, her eyes instantly welling up:
“Sonia, don’t listen to him. He’s just upset and saying things he doesn’t mean.”
“He still loves you. I’d rather you take your anger out on me than see your relationship fall apart.”
“Skylar, why are you still talking to her?” Gabriel pulled her protectively behind him, his face full of tenderness for her that instantly morphed into rage when he looked at me:
“Sonia, don’t think you can threaten me with divorce. Let me tell you something–I never loved you, not once!”
“Yes, I wanted your money and connections at first. But that was before! Now I have my own wealth and status! I don’t need your pity anymore!”
“If it weren’t for you, Skylar would be the only woman I’d ever marry!”
With that, he yanked Skylar forward and kissed her fiercely.
After a moment of surprise, she eagerly returned his kiss.
Right in front of me, they kissed passionately, like lovers facing the apocalypse.
When Gabriel finally released her, I could see the thread of saliva between their lips and the desire burning in their locked gaze.
Fighting the urge to vomit, I strode forward, raised my already–cut right hand, and slapped him hard across the face.
“Gabriel, you fucking disgust me!”
He tilted his head back, looking down at me:
“Feel better now, Sonia? You wanted a divorce? I’m more than happy to give you one–just don’t come crying back later!”
I don’t remember how I left the hospital.
I only know that Alex followed me the entire way.
Back home, I called my lawyer to draft divorce papers.
Then I started throwing Gabriel’s possessions out of my mansion.
The custom designer suits, Italian handmade ties and shoes,
The matching outfits we bought when we were madly in love, and every piece of jewelry he’d designed for me.
Finally, all that remained was our wedding ring.
It featured two diamonds of identical weight from the same mine.
My grandfather had acquired them from South Africa decades ago, symbolizing faithful and equal love. He’d presented them to us on our wedding day.
Gabriel rarely wore his, claiming it was too precious and he feared damaging it.
I was naive enough to believe him.
Now I understood–he didn’t want the ring blocking his path back to his old flame.
I removed the ring, hesitating about throwing it away too.
Turning around, I noticed Alex quietly helping clean up. On impulse, I handed him the ring.
Chapter 5
Alex looked surprised.
“I don’t want this ring anymore,” I quickly explained, “but the diamonds are important.”
“I’m giving you a month’s leave. Please redesign something new with them. I’ll pay you extra, at the industry’s highest rate.”
Alex accepted it with confusion. “But what about next quarter’s collection?”
“Those designs are already approved. I’ll handle production. Your priority right now is this commission.”
With that, I tossed my hair and took a deep breath.
A true boss bitch doesn’t let petty relationship drama slow her down.
Sonia, time to get your fire back!
As I expected, Alex was the type who’d drop everything for his art. By the next day, he’d completely disappeared into his work.
Fortunately, the remaining tasks for the new collection were just material selection, prototyping, and production.
I threw myself into work, only taking time away to finalize the divorce.
Otherwise, I lived between the office and home, working until 2 or 3 AM every night.
Just three days before the new collection launch, my assistant burst into my office in a panic:
“Ms. Gray, it’s terrible! Gabriel has paid for articles all over the internet accusing us of plagiarism!”
