The Wife He Took for Granted

Chapter 4

The phone screen suddenly lit up with a message from Ethan: "Make sure you get home safely. I'm staying with Lila tonight, she's not doing well."

Every line oozed worry,but not for her.

When the company number flashed next, the voice was all business: "Elena, the overseas client requires Project A's addendum urgently. Ethan instructed you to retrieve."

Her knuckles turned white around the phone. He knew she was injured, yet still dumped this on her. Of course—she was just his assistant.

Meanwhile, he was busy pampering his sweet "Lila."

Three years ago, fresh from a top university with lucrative job offers, she'd felt his arms wrap around her from behind, his chin nestling in her hair as he whispered, "Elena, let's work together. I want to see you every day."

She'd believed him. Turned down everything. Spent three years slaving away as his devoted assistant. And this was her reward?

Gritting her teeth, she limped into the CEO's office, finally fishing out the addendum from the drawer's depths. But beneath it—another document froze her in place.

Divorce papers.

Ethan's signature already bold and final.

Now she understood tonight's cruelty. A bitter laugh escaped as hot tears traced her cheeks. So be it. If divorce was his game, she'd play—and win.

Hand trembling, she painstakingly signed her name—each stroke a farewell. Snapped a photo for her lawyer. "Divorce certificate within a month"—the reply came. Then she opened DingTalk, the office messaging app, firing off to HR: "Effective immediately, I resign due to personal reasons. Will complete all pending handovers promptly."

She face-planted onto the bed in her empty apartment, too drained to even undress.

That night, neither Ethan nor Lila haunted her dreams—just the fading image of that sunlit boy from seven years ago whispering, "I'll love you properly." But even that memory dissolved when noises downstairs yanked her awake.

Her temples pounded like a drum. Skin burning, throat raw, she staggered forward—legs wobbling as if wading through cotton, until she saw them: two figures locked in an embrace in the living room below.

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head, jolting her into full awareness.

"You can stay here for the time being," Ethan said casually. "Once I finalize the paperwork for the riverside apartment, we'll move you there."

"But,won't Mrs. Hale mind?" Lila's voice was soft with hesitation.

"Don't worry about it," he said breezily. "She won't care."

"Just thinking about seeing you every day makes me so happy," she cooed, snuggling closer.

Ethan tweaked her cheek affectionately. "Weren't we together every day when I took you abroad last time?" he said with easy fondness.

A cold shock shot through Elena body.

Not long ago, he'd gone to Norway on a business trip, one she was supposed to accompany him on.

But he'd insisted. "You're too fragile,spare yourself the misery."

Back then, his words had warmed her heart. She'd even teased him for being overly protective.

So she'd obediently waited at home, tracking the time difference just to send him messages.

Now she understood—all that concern had just been an excuse. He hadn't wanted her interrupting his trip with another woman to see the auroras.

Her fingers tightened around the stair railing. Her voice cracked with hurt as she choked out, "Why did you bring her into our home?"