Chapter 3

Ethan glanced at the discarded pile of Sarah' s notes.

She had been efficient, he' d give her that.

But anyone could learn his preferences. The staff would adjust.

"Mrs. Peterson," he called, walking into the kitchen. "Dispose of these, please. And clear out any of Mrs... of Sarah' s personal items from my study and the kitchen. I want a fresh start."

The housekeeper nodded, her face impassive. "Yes, Mr. Hayes."

Later that week, Mark Riley, his COO and best friend, clapped him on the shoulder.

"So, a free man, eh? Heard Jessica' s back in town soon. Perfect timing."

They were at a private club, a few associates around them celebrating a minor deal.

Ethan forced a smile. "Something like that."

He felt... not quite right. A persistent, low-level irritation he couldn' t shake.

He told himself it was just the stress of the divorce, the upcoming merger.

"You' re way better off, Ethan," one of his associates chimed in, a man Ethan privately disliked. "That Sarah was too quiet. Like a mouse. Jessica, now she' s a woman with fire."

Ethan felt a muscle twitch in his jaw. He didn' t like them talking about Sarah that way.

It was strange. He' d never defended her before.

Mark, ever perceptive, steered him aside.

"You okay, man? You seem a bit off."

"Fine," Ethan snapped, then softened his tone. "Just tired. This merger is a beast."

"It' s not just the merger, is it?" Mark pressed gently. "About Sarah... are you sure you' re good with this? She really cared for you, you know. In her own quiet way."

Ethan scoffed. "Cared? It was an arrangement, Mark. A business deal. I feel nothing. Relief, if anything. No more tiptoeing around."

"She might move on, find someone else," Mark said, watching him closely.

Ethan shrugged, feigning indifference. "Good for her. I don' t care. Why would I?"

He took a large gulp of his scotch.

A few days later, Arthur Hayes Sr. called. His voice was like gravel over the line.

"Ethan. This divorce. It' s done?"

"Yes, Father. Finalized last week."

"Foolish," Arthur Sr. grunted. "That girl, Sarah. She had understated efficiency. Knew how to run that house. Knew how to manage things without a fuss. Ran a tighter ship than any of your overpaid assistants, I' ll tell you that."

Ethan bristled. "Father, it was a mutual decision. She wanted it too."

"Hmph. Mutual. She was a good influence. Stable. You' ll miss that stability, mark my words." The line clicked dead.

Ethan slammed his own phone down, anger flaring.

His father, praising Sarah. It was infuriating.

He paced his study, the one Sarah had kept so meticulously organized for him.

Now it felt... sterile.

He found himself looking for the small, almost invisible touches she used to add – a specific pen always in its place, a subtle, pleasant scent he' d never identified but now missed.

He shook his head, trying to clear it.

He was Hayes Media' s CEO. He didn' t need a wife to organize his pens.

He was better off. He had to be.