Chapter 6

On the other end of the phone, Adelynn clutched her mobile device tightly.

Calleigh wanted a divorce from Hakeem?

What a ridiculous joke.

Did she actually think this would make Hakeem pay attention to her, or even love her?

Wishful thinking.

Adelynn immediately sent a series of messages to Hakeem:

[Hakeem, what's this about Calleigh wanting a divorce?]

[Control your wife properly. Mom's birthday is this weekend, and there's a ton of housework waiting for her to do.]

[I've always said Erlinda is a much better match for you.]

[I heard you're planning to launch an independent brand for her. That's an excellent idea.]

[CEO Gusta is coming next month, and I'll introduce Erlinda to her. It will definitely boost her career. For Mom's birthday, bring Erlinda and Chloe over. Isn't that child's IQ 115? That's well above average. Erlinda's child is truly exceptional, unlike Calleigh-she's mediocre herself, and she's even dragged down Lily's intelligence.]

Hakeem read the messages and replied with a single, dismissive line:

[It's just a trivial argument.]

He then remembered his mother's birthday banquet; Calleigh's presence was mandatory. He sent her a message at once:

[Quit your petty tantrums. Come home once you're done acting out.]

Calleigh did not reply.

The message was left unanswered, sinking into silence.

Hakeem frowned to himself, convinced he had been too lenient with her, letting her forget her place.

Just then, a message from Erlinda popped up on his screen:

[Chloe misses you terribly and refuses to sleep. Can you come to the hospital to stay with her?]

Hakeem's long, slender fingers typed a single word in response:

[Sure]

After sending the message, he grabbed his coat and strode out of his office.

Outside was the chief secretary's suite.

Secretary noticed the faint smile on her boss's face, a clear sign he was in a good mood.

She knew instantly: Mr. Graves was heading to the hospital to see Miss Erlinda.

It was only a matter of time before he divorced and remarried.

His current wife was utterly insignificant-beautiful, but completely useless in every other way.

Just like the night before, Hakeem stayed at the hospital until early morning.

At half past nine, he returned home to change clothes before heading to the office.

Stopped at a red light, his car remained motionless for nearly five minutes.

Bored with the wait, Hakeem pulled a pack of cigarettes from the glove compartment, tapped one out, and lit it.

The ember on the tip rose and fell, wispy pale gray smoke curling slowly into the air.

Suddenly, his dark eyes sharpened, locking onto a figure on the sidewalk.

He had seen Calleigh.

She was sitting inside an upscale café.

She was not alone.

Across the booth sat a young, handsome man, impeccably dressed with a sleek, metropolitan aura-undoubtedly a top-tier elite.