Deception and Love: I Won't Be Sad to Leave

Things between Arthur and Lyla seemed to have become a bit tense.

Nora Madison was the one who gossiped about it.

Arthur started a company that contracts writers to produce online novels, and Nora was a top editor at his company. I was the one who recruited her, so we were pretty close.

Ever since she found out the reason for my divorce, she had been furious and had been voluntarily reporting to me on Arthur and Lyla's latest developments.

After Arthur and I signed the divorce papers, he became pretty depressed and often stared blankly at our photo on his desk.

On the contrary, Lyla was visibly excited and strutted around the office with a newfound arrogance.

[Avery, you wouldn't believe it. She acts like she owns the place, bossing everyone around.]

[A homewrecker secretary rising through such shameful tactics, where does she get the nerve? I bet Mr. Ford doesn't even like her.]

She said Lyla had been overly attentive to Arthur recently, even at the company. She would link arms with him and cling to him in front of everyone, coming and going as a couple.

But lately, Arthur was clearly annoyed with her. Employees often saw them arguing in the stairwell.

Lyla tried to kiss him, but he pushed her away so hard that she slammed into the wall, her hair coming undone.

Some employees felt a bit sorry for her when they saw this, but most said she deserved it.

Nora's was gleeful as she gossiped with me.

[A mistress will always get her comeuppance!]

[I've read too many novels about chasing wives till they're cremated, and now seeing it in real life is really satisfying. Avery, let me tell you, Mr. Ford is trying every way to win you back now, and he doesn't want to deal with that Lyla at all.]

I laughed, releasing a sigh of relief.

This situation was within my expectations. Arthur's affair was a fact, but it didn't necessarily mean he was indeed in love with Lyla. After ten years together, seeing my face every day, he was probably just bored and looking for something new.

Lyla was using this as her leverage, but it was clear she was going to lose badly.

I didn't like getting involved in these kinds of things, but I wasn't a saint either. Seeing them suffer brought me more joy than I'd like to admit.

So, I sent Nora a coffee cards as a gift, which she repeatedly refused.

[I just can't stand seeing a scumbag and his mistress," she said. "I hope you're not too upset, Avery.]

[I was pretty heartbroken when I found out, but I'm feeling better now.]

I added: [But I can get you coffee.]

Nora sent a cute emoji and accepted it.

[Thanks, Avery. Mr. Ford's life is going to be miserable without you.]

[Everyone knows half of this company's success is thanks to you. I have no idea what he sees in Lyla.]

I smiled but didn't reply anything.

[But I'm still curious. Lyla graduated from a prestigious university, too. How could she stoop so low? If I were her, I'd be disgusted with myself.]

[Sometimes education doesn't reflect a person's character.]

[You're right, Avery.]

After that, Nora went back to work, and I exited to open Emmett's messages.

Since that day, Emmett and I had grown closer, and he often invited me out under the guise of easing my stress.

After several outings, his friends started giving us knowing looks.

But I didn't refuse. Partly out of a desire for revenge and partly because I didn't know many people in Mayby, nor did I have much of a social life, spending my days under constant pressure from readers to update my writings. Having some diversion wasn't a bad thing.

Moreover, Emmett is indeed very handsome, standing at six-foot-three with a well-built physique, exuding a rugged charm just by being there.

He was exactly the type I go for at this age.

Arthur was handsome and well-built, too, but by comparison, he was practically a beanpole.

I looked down at Emmett's message.

[Want to hang out tonight?]

[Sure.]