He Cheated with His Secretary, Now He Begs for My Forgiveness

Chapter 2

The next morning, Natalie woke early out of a work habit built over the years.

She looked at the empty space beside her. Ethan hadn't come home last night.

Just then, the phone on her nightstand rang.

Natalie answered. It was her father calling.

"Nat, the weekend is coming. When are you and Ethan coming home for dinner?"

Since getting married, Natalie had spent almost all her time helping Ethan run the company, so she rarely had time to visit home.

Guilt tightened in her chest when she heard her father's voice.

She had thought about it all night, and now she had made up her mind.

"Dad, I'm divorcing Ethan."

On the other end, Henry Hayes was startled. "Why so suddenly? What happened?"

Natalie gripped the phone. Her fingertips rubbed against its cold edge as if she could draw a little calm from it.

"Ethan cheated on me. He fell for someone else, and he revoked all my access to the company."

After hearing that, Henry was silent for a long time before he spoke again.

"Nat, I was strict with you when you were little because I wanted you to do your best in everything. Later, I sent you abroad for school and helped you become the youngest technology researcher in your field. I didn't do all that so you could become a housewife. If Ethan doesn't cherish you, then we cut our losses. Didn't you receive an offer from the National Research Institute before? After the divorce, go back to research. Get out of business. For good."

Hearing her father's words, Natalie suddenly felt much lighter.

"Okay."

After hanging up, Natalie decided to start over.

First, she went to a law firm and had the divorce agreement drafted.

Then she took a car to Pierce Biotech to ask Ethan to sign the papers.

The car pulled up in front of the company building.

Natalie had just gotten out when she saw Lila holding Ethan's arm as they walked out of the lobby.

Natalie couldn't stop herself from following them. She watched them laugh and flirt as if no one else existed.

Then Lila suddenly took off her high heels and ordered, "Honey, give me a piggyback ride."

Ethan crouched down and lifted Lila onto his back.

Lila leaned against him and laughed without restraint.

"How many girls have you carried like this before? You're so good at it."

Ethan held her high heels for her, his voice gentle.

"Only you. I've never carried anyone else."

Lila asked again, "Not even Natalie?"

Ethan answered bluntly, "Natalie is too dull. She would never let me carry her in public."

Lila's lips curved with smug satisfaction.

"Then she really is better suited to staying home as a housewife. Honey, I still think we're a much better match."

As she spoke, Lila suddenly bit Ethan's ear.

Ethan smiled. "You little minx."

They walked into a nearby hotel.

Natalie stood at the hotel entrance.

She watched Lila and Ethan pick up a room key, step into the elevator, and go upstairs.

Then she watched the curtains in the top-floor room slowly close.

Their lunch break was 2 hours—and Ethan and Lila used every minute of it.

Natalie couldn't understand how the boy who had once promised to love her forever could simply stop loving her.

How could he fall for someone else so quickly?

She couldn't help remembering that summer afternoon 12 years earlier.

Natalie had been walking past the soccer field when a ball suddenly flew straight toward her, and Ethan jumped in front of her to block it.

From that day on, Ethan began pursuing her.

He brought her breakfast every morning and walked her home after school every day.

When Natalie studied, Ethan made sure everyone around her stayed quiet.

Back then, Natalie was introverted and reserved. She had never been close to any boy.

Several times, Natalie told him, "I don't like you, and I don't want to date anyone."

But Ethan said, "It's okay. I'll keep waiting for you."

From her junior year of high school to her freshman year of college, Ethan pursued Natalie for 3 years.

He saved 3 months of allowance just to buy her a ticket to a seminar by a scientist she admired.

He remembered all her preferences and could always spot her in a crowd.

Natalie was reserved and sensitive, while Ethan was bold and bright.

He had been like a blazing sun, lighting up the bleakest years of her youth.

Once, the biology supply room caught fire, and Natalie was trapped inside.

Ethan rushed in despite the danger and saved her.

Because of that, his right hand and back were left with several serious burn scars.

Only then did Natalie finally stop fighting it—and let herself love him back.

From that day on, Natalie told herself that no matter what happened, she would treat Ethan well.

From 16 to 28, Natalie had always kept her promise. She couldn't understand how Ethan could change so completely.