Chapter 4 Tell Her To Return To Work

Lena's eyes flashed open as the last traces of sleep were erased by her crisp, sharp voice. "The terms are quite explicit in the divorce document, Theo. Or has your intellect declined as much as your... other faculties?"

"Lena!" He spat her name out like a curse, feeling the sting of her words.

"And what?" Her laughter rang out, mocking. "Perhaps you intend to publicize your impotence?"

Theo clenched his jaw so hard it ached, his temples throbbing visibly.

For the entirety of their three-year marriage, Lena had been gentle, compliant, almost shy. How had she turned so cuttingly articulate?

Yet, Lena wasn't interested in prolonging the agony of their conversation. His voice alone was enough to revive the sharp pain in her chest.

"Please ensure you've understood the divorce papers. Just sign them, and we can set a date to proceed."

Her voice dripped with biting sarcasm. "After which, feel free to marry anyone. As long as my eighty million is secured, I'm indifferent."

She was offering him an easy exit, stepping aside for Violet. Theo would surely see the benefit.

Eighty million was a drop in the bucket for him; he had spent far more on Violet's extravagant gift.

Lena refused to linger in a marriage that had offered her nothing but bitterness and was not about to walk away empty-handed.

She anticipated his agreement. Yet, Theo's response was a derisive sneer. "Eighty million? You're delusional. Do you think you can just extract what you want from me and walk away? Who else would deal with your family's chaos, if not me?"

After a three-year marriage, Theo hadn't fallen for her, yet he had always known precisely how to inflict pain.

"Then save yourself the effort," Lena retorted sharply. "The world is full of rich guys. I can marry whoever I choose, perhaps someone who desires me. And we'll have a happy life and probably start a family soon."

She ended the call abruptly, without waiting for his reaction.

Continuing the conversation would mean facing his wrath, and she had no interest in dealing with it.

Theo glared at his phone, rage simmering within him.

Was she seriously considering divorce over something so minor?

His tolerance had made her too bold.

Just then, his assistant entered with a report, pausing at Theo's daunting scowl. "Uh, Mr. Haynes... there's a document here for your review..."

Theo's gaze was cold as he interjected, "The leave request from Lena. I didn't sign off on that. Tell her to return to work."

The assistant faltered. "Mr. Haynes... Lena hasn't taken a single day off in three years. She's accumulated over six months of leave. According to company policy, she doesn't need approval..."

Theo's response was to slam the file down sharply on the desk. The sound echoed, a clear end to the discussion.

Theo scoffed derisively. Was this her strategy all along? A drawn-out revenge against him?

Did she honestly believe that bearing his child would make him love her?

Absolutely deluded.

Roughly thirty minutes passed before a message popped up on Lena's phone-courtesy of Theo's assistant.

"Lena, your leave's been revoked. You'll have to reschedule any time off. Today, you're expected back. Mr. Haynes had a complete meltdown this morning. If you don't show up... your position might not be here tomorrow."

The text made her lips curl in a silent, bitter laugh. Still, no amount of sarcasm could warm the chill settling in her chest. So this was his response? He would rather break her than let her go.