Breaking the pattern
1463 Words
Sora caught the familiar scent of Kane’s strong cologne as he walked past her toward his office, but she didn’t spare him a glance, as usual.
If it had been before, she would have turned and greeted him warmly.
But even if she did, he probably wouldn’t have responded with the same energy.
She decided to focus on her work, keeping her usual smile to herself and just greeting him.
.”Kane saw that Sora didn’t spare him a glance and didn’t greet him in the usual way she normally did.
But he didn’t think much of it. Even though they still didn’t sleep in the same house, he still didn’t know.
He thought she had slept in her room and left for the office earlier.
Kane had asked his personal assistant to tell Sora to bring his tea, as usual.
She didn’t refuse. Quietly, she prepared the tea and carried it to his office.
But the moment she opened the door, her steps froze. There was Kane locked in a passionate kiss with Ruth.
Sora cleared her throat to make them realize she was standing there.
Even though she knocked before entering the office and was asked to come in.
She wasn't a fool she knew it was a deliberate act,it was one thing Kane cheated on her but it hurts even more to rub it off her face.
“Can’t you knock?” Ruth snapped at Sora.
Sora stood frozen, the tray of tea,Kane himself had asked her to bring still in her hands.
For a moment Sora saw a flicker of concern on kane's face,but it didn't last long.
She fought back the tears threatening to fall, pressing her lips into a thin line as she exhaled.
“I’m sorry, but” she began, her voice trembling.
“Just drop the tea and leave. Now.”
Sora did as she was told and left; however, her heart was bleeding.
She hadn’t expected to feel this way upon seeing Kane with Ruth again she had thought it would be easy.
Her day was already ruined; she had believed she was almost healing.
Seeing Kane so comfortable with Ruth, their intimacy on full display, felt like a knife twisting into her still-unhealed wound.
She wanted to scream, to shout anything that might ease the ache clawing at her chest.
Instead, she forced herself to remain composed. Lowering into her chair, she shut her eyes and released a long, shaky sigh.
I’ll get through this, Sora promised herself.
The next morning,as Sora resumed work she thought about asking Kane about the divorce.
Since they no longer shared the same apartment,the office was the only place she could see him,he probably won't pick up her calls.
Her lawyer was already handling the case; all that remained was for her to submit the documents and ensure Kane’s signature was on them.
Kane entered Briarwoods Inc. at that very moment hand in hand with Ruth.
Sora stiffened. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to think she was stalking them again.
The memory of yesterday’s humiliation was still raw, lingering like a fresh bruise.
She decided to wait until Ruth was gone before she could discuss the issue at hand with Kane.
When Kane saw how Sora had focused on her work and didn't spare him a glance as usual.
He assumed she was mad at him, probably because he didn't come home for two nights, or probably because he didn't try to defend her when Ruth humiliated her.
He was certain she would come around eventually.
It won't take long before she comes crawling back.
Sora loved him too much to stay away at least, that was what Kane believed. No matter how many times he told her to leave, she always found her way back to him.
He had pushed her away before, and yet she stayed.
What Kane didn’t realize was that this time was different. Sora was no longer under the same roof as him.
Since they didn't share the same room, and Sora was always the first to get to work and first to get home.
Kane didn't give the entire situation much of a thought.
As he sat in his office,he checked his phone but didn't see any of Sora missed calls.
He heaved a sight and dropped the phone on the table.
For three days in a row, she hadn’t sent him a single text to ask about his day, nor to remind him how much she missed him.
It had once been her routine, a quiet devotion she clung to even when his replies never came. Still, she always asked after his well-being.
But now… silence.
She has never been this mad at him before, it's unusual for her to behave like this.
She had always been a good, soft-spoken and kind wife who never stayed angry for too long.
Kane convinced himself that she must have called his other phone, not the one he was holding.
For a brief moment, a flicker of worry touched his heart, but he quickly brushed it aside.
Mr. Zachary: “Good day, boss.”
Kane was jolted out of his thoughts as Zachary stepped into the office.
“I came to discuss Sora’s resignation… and the matter of her replacement.”
Zach knew his boss was worried about something but he couldn't place his hands on anything.
He knows Kane can handle anything,if it were something he needed his help for,he would let him know.
He met Kane together with Ruth,but since it was a pressing matter he thought of going ahead anyway.
But immediately he called Sora's name, Kane’s mood quickly changed.
He had warned Zachary to always handle Sora's case as the company policy demanded,but Zach was bringing Sora',s report to him and that vexed him.
What Kane didn’t know was that Sora had submitted her resignation and had also prepared a divorce for him to sign.
He quickly dismissed Zach, handling him the bunch of files on his table to give to Sora so she could work on them.
However, Zach’s expression changed. “I don’t think Sora would agree to do this, sir,” he said
She has been acting indifferent recently.
“Mrs. Sor” he began, still trying to explain, but Kane quickly cut him off.
He had already made himself clear: Sora’s matters in the office were to be handled just like those of any other employee.
“Any issues concerning Sora should be handled according to company's policy,” Kane stated with finality.
When Zach went to Sora's seat to give her the files Kane had asked him to give her he didn't find her.
As he turned his back to leave he saw her coming, making him stop In his tracks.
Zach: [passing the files] “Sora, take care of these before you leave”
Sora: [smiling] “I’m afraid I can’t, Mr Zach. It’s almost closing time. These will have to wait until tomorrow
Her words were steady and polite and her expression neutral.
Zach scoffs and bite's his lower lips,he dropped the files on her table and walked out.
He was trying to understand what Sora meant.
She had worked extra hours in the office previously so why was it so hard for her to do it this time?
She had no right to behave this way just because she wanted to resign.
Or if she was mad at Kane she should show it to him,but instead she politely rejected the work he had given her.
It was unlike her.
He knew, if it were before now, Sora would happily collect the files to work on them even if it meant she'd stay awake all night.
But now it was as if she didn't care about the company or what goes wrong anymore.
Sora's attitude rubbed Zach on the face.
He knows she was very good at what she does, and finding her replacement is almost impossible.
“Boss, I just spoke with Mrs. Sora. She said she can't on the files.
Kane leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
“Done?She’s just looking for my attention.”
Zachary hesitated. “But sir, she sounded serious”
“She’ll come around. She always does. She’ll probably spend the night working on those files.”
He thought.
When Kane reached home, the dining table was empty.
He had deliberately refused to eat at his family five star restaurant he craved Sora’s cooking.
It
had been days since he last did… days since he had even come home.
And now, standing in the silence of the house, he realized just how much he missed her food.
He told himself he didn’t miss her. He couldn’t.
- Writer
