Chapter 5 Let's Stop Talking About Divorce

Jeremy's expression changed in an instant. His voice turned sharp. "What are you staring at?"

"Nothing. Sorry, I'll pick it up."

Kayla quickly bent to retrieve the bottles from the floor, but her movement was too quick, and her dress shifted with her. The neckline dipped lower than she'd meant it to, and from where Jeremy stood, the view of her cleavage was impossible to miss.

As she rose, trying to compose herself, he stepped forward and draped his jacket over her shoulders. A faint scent of sandalwood clung to it.

"Did Liam ask you to dress like this and throw yourself at me?"

Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and walked away.

Kayla stood there, stunned, her mind racing to catch up. But the moment it sank in, her cheeks flushed with anger. "What the hell!"

Jeremy was exactly as the rumors claimed-cold, heartless, and impossible to deal with.

In the car, he tossed the bag of bottles aside like it didn't matter. "Tell my father's doctor to send the medication to his place from now on. I'm not picking it up again."

Edwin nodded from the passenger seat. "Understood, Mr. Graham."

Jeremy's eyes lingered on the hospital building through the window. "Any update on that woman?"

"I'll push harder on the search," Edwin replied, his tone calm and steady.

After leaving the hospital, Kayla drove straight to Perennia Group.

She still remembered when she and Liam had chosen the company name together. Back then, it was just a dream. Now, the business had grown fast, and Liam was rubbing shoulders with the elite.

Laughter echoed from the general manager's office, light and playful, followed by a woman's soft giggle that sounded sweet and teasing.

Without knocking, Kayla pushed the door open.

Tricia was on her knees between Liam's legs, her body moving in a way that left nothing to the imagination.

Seeing Kayla, Tricia sprang to her feet and moved to the side. Her blouse was unbuttoned halfway, showing off a plunging neckline that revealed her cleavage.

Her cheeks looked flushed, her hair slightly messy, and her smile sugary sweet. "Mrs. Graham, what a surprise."

Liam turned to look at his wife, his face paling with fluster for a second. "Kayla?"

Kayla stood rooted to the spot, her eyes icy as they swept over the scene. The sight alone made her stomach twist in disgust.

"Did I walk in on something?" she asked with a sneer.

"What? No. My pen dropped, that's all. She was just picking it up." Liam walked to the door and turned sharply to Tricia. "Get out."

Tricia didn't argue. She passed by Kayla on her way out, her perfume trailing in the air-the same one Kayla always smelt on Liam.

The message was loud and clear.

Trying to play it off, Liam poured her a glass of water and said, "Kayla, I'm glad you stopped by. Let's go out for lunch. We could talk."

"I'm not here for lunch. I came to talk about our divorce."

The glass slipped from Liam's hand, hit the floor, and shattered, sending water splashing in all directions.

He stepped aside, rubbing his temples like he was holding back a headache. "Kayla, how long are you going to keep this up? I can understand if you've just been in a bad mood lately, but if this is about Tricia, I'll fire her right now."

Kayla didn't even blink. She wasn't here to argue. She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder, setting it firmly on the table. "I'm not here to fight over anything. After the divorce, Perennia Group will be yours. I won't contest it. But I want my share of the money back. And I want Cooper Group returned to me."

A sharp flash of annoyance crossed Liam's face. His jaw tightened with rage. "We're married. We're in love. How can you be talking about divorce?"

"Love?" Kayla laughed coldly. Liam claimed to love her, yet he was in bed with someone else. So this was what his version of love looked like.

"I've made up my mind. Sign the divorce agreement. Don't drag this out." She slammed the document down on the desk with finality.

Liam looked down at the document, and for a brief moment, something vulnerable passed through his eyes. "Kayla, what are you doing? Are you really going to throw everything away? After everything we've been through?"

But Kayla had long let go of any hope for them. Her voice was cold, flat. "Sign it. Let's end this completely."

"End it?" Liam's expression turned pained. "Just like that? After all these years together, you can just walk away? I love you, Kayla. I said I'd always take care of you."

She closed her eyes, took a breath, and said steadily, "Spare me the speeches. I'll believe what I see, not what you say. And I won't change my mind-Cooper Group must be returned to me."

Liam's face darkened, and his voice turned defensive. "You gave me Cooper Group yourself. My company is in trouble right now-the accounts are in the red. I'm doing everything I can to save it. Once the major projects go through, I'll take Cooper Group back. Just give me some time. And stop mentioning divorce."

It was clear now-he'd mortgaged Cooper Group, and getting it back wouldn't be simple.

"Liam, you're shameless!" Kayla's voice trembled with disbelief. He knew exactly what Cooper Group meant to her, and he still used it like it was nothing.

"Kayla, we built Perennia Group together. You don't want to see it fall apart, do you? Using Cooper Group was just a temporary fix. Please, let's stop talking about divorce. I'll give you whatever you want."

Liam stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, lowering his head to inhale the scent of her hair.

Disgusted, Kayla jerked free and spun around, slapping him hard across the face.

Liam's head snapped sideways at the impact, and five red finger marks bloomed on his cheek.

He slowly raised a hand to his face, his eyes blazing as he turned back to her, teeth clenched. "Why are you being like this? I've already tried to make it right. What more do you want?"

"You did this, not me. This marriage is over. I'm done!"