After He Made Me Kneel For His Mistress

Just as I was about to finish talking, Mia approached us.

"Joziah, I'm feeling a bit under the weather," she said.

Immediately, Joziah took off his jacket and placed it gently over her shoulders. "Are you catching a cold?" he asked, concerned.

He glanced my way, looking somewhat sheepish. "Aurora, don't read too much into this. Mia and I grew up together, and I promised her parents I'd look out for her."

I forced a smile and nodded. "I understand."

Trying to put him at ease, I added, "You're just using another one of your 'appreciation tokens,' right? I'm fine with that."

Joziah hesitated, about to speak, but Mia sniffled, her eyes welling up.

"Let's head over to the clinic so you can get checked," he suggested.

With that, he led Mia away, leaving me to watch them disappear into the crowd. The once lively atmosphere now felt inexplicably chilly.

After the gathering ended, I went back to my office and opened the bottom drawer. Inside was a wooden box containing those 'appreciation tokens.' I stared at the 98th token, memories rushing back, but I tore it up without a second thought.

Feeling calmer, I dialed my lawyer friend.

"Reece, I need you to draft a separation agreement."

"Separation? Did Joziah do something? Why the sudden decision?"

"Our marriage was a mistake from the start," I replied bitterly.

Reece didn't ask for more details, instead saying, "When do you need it?"

Looking out the window, I answered firmly, "In the next couple of days."

Right then, the office door swung open.

"Who were you talking to?" Joziah asked, stepping in with a gift bag in hand.

I hung up and replied coolly, "Just discussing a separation with Reece."

Joziah's expression fell as he came over quickly. "Separation? Who's separating?"

"I'm just consulting for a friend."

With visible relief, Joziah handed me the gift bag. In the past, whenever he'd upset me, he'd apologize with gifts, stay late to work with me, and bring pastries, urging me to go home early so I wouldn’t be overtired.

Sometimes I felt sorry for him and told him to take a break.

But Joziah would always say, "Aurora, I can't stand being apart from you, not even for a moment. I can't sleep without you next to me."

Seeing the bag labeled "Astra," a warmth spread through me. It was my favorite designer brand.

I took the bag, smiling without realizing it. "How did you know I—"

Opening it, I stopped, frozen. "What is this?"

Stunned, I looked back at him.

Instead of gifts, it held a stack of documents.

Joziah shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.

"Mia's illness is serious, and she needs a month's rest, but her major projects can't be left hanging."

"Could you wrap them up for her? It'll stop any bad rumors about her at the firm."

He added casually, "If needed, I'll use another token. There are plenty left, so don't be too picky."

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

I wanted to tell him.

Joziah, after this, there's only one 'appreciation token' left.

But instead, I closed the folder quietly.

I had once given him everything, committed fully to every task. Now, I was just a convenient tool, fulfilling Mia's duties for free.

Looking back, I realized how blind I'd been.