After Discovering My Husband's Plan to Seize My Property

The next morning, as I prepared to head to the office, I opened the door only to be confronted with an unexpected sight. A pile of mattresses was stacked in front of my door and there, lying on top of them, was Chris. He had spent the entire night sleeping on the floor outside my room.

"Chris, are you sick?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern and confusion as I walked over and gently nudged him awake.

Chris stirred groggily, blinking up at me with a dazed expression. A sleepy grin spread across his face when he recognized me. "Are you awake?" he mumbled, stifling a yawn as he sat up, still fully dressed.

Seeing him in such a disheveled state, I felt a pang of reluctance. Despite our issues, he was still my husband. "Go back to bed and get some rest," I said, trying to sound more comforting than I felt. "I need to go to the office."

I reached out to help him to his feet, but his reaction was oddly stiff. He hesitated before pulling me into an embrace. "Wait a minute," he said, his arms wrapping around me in a tight hug. "Will you sleep with me?"

His breath was warm against my ear and I could feel his desperation. Just as I was about to respond, the door to the bedroom swung open with a loud creak. Hailey appeared in the doorway, her face a mask of anger and disbelief as she stared at us.

Chris immediately froze, his arms dropping from around me as he turned to face her. The look on his face was one of utter helplessness and guilt and for a moment, it struck me how absurd the situation was. It was as if we were caught in a scandalous affair and Hailey was the rightful owner of the bedroom and Chris’s affections.

I couldn’t help but sneer at the scene. "Go ahead," I said with a biting tone, pushing Chris away. "Go be with your beloved sister."

I turned on my heel and walked away, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation.

When I reached downstairs, Susan was already preparing breakfast. She invited me to join her, but my mind was elsewhere. As I drove to the company, I couldn’t shake the ridiculousness of my situation.

Chris and Hailey had been childhood sweethearts, a romance that had flared up briefly during college before Hailey left for an opportunity abroad, effectively ending their relationship. Despite everything, Chris had remained like a loyal puppy, waiting for her return. It was absurd that he was still so entangled in her orbit, even after all this time.

The thought that he had reverted to being her devoted follower was almost laughable. I found myself questioning why I had ever expected anything different from him.

My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, but the demands of work waited for no one. As I stepped into the office, the assistant was already stationed by the door, ready to report on the day's agenda.

"Miss Walker, you’re here," she greeted me, her tone filled with a mix of respect and anticipation. She began her briefing, but I interrupted her mid-sentence.

"Why didn’t you introduce the cooperation with Mr. Zarry?" I asked, my voice sharp with frustration.

The assistant hesitated, her eyes flicking nervously as she tried to gauge my reaction. "Mr. Zarry? I thought he was transferred to the branch company?"

Her response left me momentarily stunned. Zarry Walker had always been a fixture at our company, a man of great integrity and experience. The thought of him being transferred was inconceivable. "Transferred? Are you sure about this?" I asked, my disbelief evident.

The assistant looked down, uncomfortable with the sudden shift in conversation. "I was informed about it recently, but I can get more details for you if you need."

"That won’t be necessary for now," I said, cutting her off. "You can go."

With a nod, she exited the office, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts. I quickly picked up the phone and dialed Mr. Zarry’s number, my hands slightly trembling with the urgency of my concerns.

When Mr. Zarry answered, his voice was calm, but there was an undertone of something I couldn’t quite place. "Yasmine, I initiated the transfer to the branch company," he said.

I was taken aback. "But why would you do that? You’ve been such an integral part of the company."

He was quiet for a moment before responding, "There are reasons I can't go into right now. Just understand that Uncle Zarry wouldn’t make such a decision without good reason."

The ambiguity in his voice heightened my anxiety. "But Uncle Zarry, what’s really going on?"

"Yasmine, trust me. When the time is right, I’ll explain everything," he said with a firm yet reassuring tone before ending the call.

I held the phone in my hand, feeling a mix of confusion and concern. Mr. Zarry had been my father’s trusted comrade and had played a crucial role in managing the company during the years I was away. His unexpected decision to move to the branch was unsettling and his reluctance to explain further only added to my unease.

Despite my worries, I had to focus on my responsibilities. As I settled into my work, my mind kept drifting back to the contract I had finalized during my recent business trip. It was crucial for the upcoming negotiations and I had left it at home. With a sense of urgency, I made a mental note to retrieve it as soon as possible.

The thought of asking Chris to send the contract to me now felt impossible. The mere idea of interacting with him triggered memories of Hailey and I found myself completely unmotivated to reach out. The tension between us was too palpable and I knew it would only worsen the situation.

***

When I finally arrived home later in the day, the sounds of celebration greeted me before I even reached the door. My heart sank as I realized that the festive atmosphere was in full swing inside.

As I stepped into the foyer, I could hear the unmistakable tone of Susan’s voice, sharp and triumphant. "Congratulations to Hailey for becoming the company's vice president. I wish Hailey a bright future! Congratulations!" Her words were tinged with a forced cheerfulness, but they carried an edge that spoke volumes.

The joy in her voice was almost mocking and I felt a knot of resentment tighten in my chest.

I walked further into the house, my steps heavy with resignation. The living room was alive with animated conversation and laughter. Hailey was seated in the center, clearly basking in the glow of her new position. She looked radiant, her smile a perfect blend of pride and satisfaction.

As I approached, I caught the tail end of the conversation. Susan continued, her voice almost gloating. "I didn’t expect that Zarry would be so easy to influence. I reminded him of past events and just like that, he agreed to transfer to the branch office."