His Ignored Wife, Her Silent Goodbye

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 006

MARGARET'S POINT OF VIEW

I was utterly unaware that Frederian had made a return. Nobody had told me.

Two weeks had passed since I moved out of the villa. At first, the quietness that surrounded me in my new place felt strange, but eventually, it became comforting. The house where I woke up no longer forced me to remember my losses every day—or maybe what I never possessed in reality.

Golden sunlight streamed into the room when I opened the curtains this morning. The sun's warmth enveloped my skin and prompted me to stretch effortlessly for the first time in a long while. There was no pressure to hurry. The broken marriage released me from fulfilling my duties as a responsible wife.

I tended to the plants on my balcony before entering the kitchen to make my morning meal. The doorbell rang at the exact moment I reached out for the kettle.

Who could that be so early?

As I opened the door, I saw Mrs. Eleanor Smith, my elderly neighbor, standing waiting to greet me with a warm smile.

"Margaret, I hope I'm not disturbing you?" she asked kindly.

I returned her smile. "Not at all, Mrs. Smith. I was just about to have breakfast."

"Well, perfect timing then! I brought you some freshly baked pies and pasta from our kitchen to share with you. This morning, my husband and I were discussing your actions for Tommy and realized we never expressed proper gratitude to you.

A small laugh escaped me as I shook my head. "Oh, please, Mrs. Smith, that was nothing."

"Nothing? Tommy might have met a terrible fate if you hadn't intervened against that aggressive dog yesterday. She patted my hand gratefully. Our work tasks have kept us so occupied that we haven't managed to thank you yet. Please accept this gift as our way of expressing gratitude.

I removed the warm package from her grasp. "You're too kind. Thank you."

She departed after exchanging additional friendly words, and I began to enjoy the meal she had brought. Food made at home feels incredibly comforting when it is prepared by someone who shows genuine care.

After finishing breakfast, I moved to my workspace to review the research notes I had created about my artificial intelligence project. A news alert came through on my phone, which broke my concentration.

Trinity University Centennial Celebration Begins

I held my gaze on the headline before eventually opening the article.

The event was trending across multiple platforms. The university sent invitations to its top alums who achieved recognition across different business sectors. Familiar names emerged when I scrolled through the guest list. People I had once studied alongside. In another life, I could have been listed among these esteemed individuals.

A dull ache settled in my chest.

If I had first focused on my career after graduation instead of marrying soon, I wonder if I would have earned a place on this list.

I shut my laptop before collecting my coat and car keys. Without warning, I found myself behind the wheel, heading to Trinity University.

—

Even though the day was nearing its end, the university campus remained full of activity. Although the formal ceremony had concluded, alumni and students filled the walkways to reminisce about old memories and create new ones.

I moved forward at a leisurely pace as waves of nostalgia engulfed me. The library and the old café where I used to spend hours studying alongside the laboratory and countless nights spent working on projects all seemed familiar yet distant at once.

As I walked past the entrance to one of the research buildings, a voice reached out to me from behind.

"Margaret?"

My eyes met Jonathan Prescott, who stood before me with an expression that conveyed both shock and affection.

—

Twenty minutes later, we occupied seats in a tiny teahouse located outside the campus boundaries. Jonathan served me tea while his eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"So... how have you been?"

I traced the rim of my teacup with my finger while looking down before giving my response. "I've been alright. Adjusting. Preparing for a divorce."

His expression shifted. "I had no idea. I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "Don't be. It was inevitable."

He paused before he moved forward a little. "What are your plans now? Are you considering returning to work at the company?

I hesitated. "I have... but—"

"But?"

My sigh marked my struggle to express my thoughts in words. During my absence, the industry underwent significant changes. My experiences had transformed me, so I wasn't who I was back then. Could I still keep up? Is it possible for me to make valuable contributions now?

Jonathan oversaw me before speaking. Margaret, your remarkable intelligence remains unmatched in my professional experience. Your abilities remain intact despite your time away from practice. The company needs you. We need you. Your status as a shareholder continues, but you also hold our trust as a leader.

I laughed softly. Your words make me seem like I'm a legendary figure.

"To us, you are." He leaned back, studying me. Although the events of your marriage remain unclear to me, I understand who you are, Margaret. I also understand the effort you put into reaching your current position. You can still get back to that.