Chapter 3

Claire's POV

At the company meeting the next morning, Sophia suddenly proposed taking over the project I had been managing.

"Claire is about to go on vacation, isn't she? Someone needs to handle her responsibilities while she's away."

She sat beside Ethan with a perfectly composed smile, though the challenge in her voice was unmistakable.

"I've worked with this kind of business before. I can take some of the pressure off the team."

The conference room fell silent.

The project I managed was one of Cole Group's most important business divisions. For the past ten years, Ethan had relied on me to handle everything from major negotiations to corporate crises.

Yet this time, he didn't hesitate for even a second.

"Let's do what Sophia suggested."

He turned to me, his tone so gentle that anyone listening might have thought he was genuinely concerned about my well-being.

"Claire, take your vacation without worrying about work. Sophia is capable, and she'll make sure everything runs smoothly."

Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward me.

Sophia raised an eyebrow.

"You don't think I'm trying to steal your job, do you?"

I gathered my documents and answered calmly, "Not at all. I agree."

The room erupted into stunned silence.

Ethan clearly hadn't expected me to agree so readily. He watched me for a moment, then visibly relaxed.

I didn't wait around. I stood up and walked out.

Ethan caught up with me just outside the conference room.

"Claire, wait."

He took my hand and lowered his voice.

"I know how much you've done for this company, but Sophia has only just returned. I want to give her a chance. When you come back from your vacation, I'll find a more suitable position for you."

"What position?"

He hesitated.

"Vice president."

I almost laughed out loud.

He was willing to invent an entirely new title just for Sophia.

For ten years, I had understood his difficulties, sympathized with his pressures, and taken on every problem he didn't want to deal with.

He had grown so accustomed to my sacrifices that he seemed to believe I would never leave, no matter what he did.

"Ethan, you don't have to explain yourself to me." I slipped my hand out of his. "Run the company however you want."

Thinking I was no longer upset, he reached out and brushed a hand over my hair.

"I knew you'd understand. You're always so reasonable. Once things settle down, I'll take you and Ella on a little trip."

With that, he turned and walked back into the conference room.

I watched him disappear through the door and suddenly felt as though our ten years of marriage had been one enormous joke.

That afternoon, I was organizing files in my office when Sophia knocked and walked in.

"I'm taking the senior executives out to dinner tonight to celebrate my new project. You should come, too."

"I have plans."

I picked up my bag and prepared to leave.

Behind me, she let out a soft laugh.

"Claire, so what if you've been married to Ethan for ten years? I'm the one he's never been able to let go of."

I stopped and turned to face her.

"Then you'd better hold on to him."

My voice remained perfectly calm.

"After waiting all these years, I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss your chance again."

Sophia's smile froze.

I didn't bother saying anything else. I simply walked out of the office.

That evening, Ethan and Sophia took the senior executives out to celebrate.

I stayed home and packed my suitcases.

Ella stood in the bedroom doorway, staring at the open suitcase. Slowly, her eyes filled with tears.

"Mommy, are you really leaving?"

I crouched down and straightened the zipper on her jacket.

"Tomorrow is your birthday. Mommy will stay and celebrate with you first."

She pressed her lips together, trying hard to smile.

"Daddy said he's going to give me a big surprise. I want to wait until he comes home. Then I'll wish for our family to stay together forever."

I wrapped my arms around her, my heart aching.

"All right. We'll wait until tomorrow."