I Said No, My Husband Fired Me

The sound of running water from the bathroom stopped.

Ethan Cole stepped out in a bathrobe, his hair still dripping wet. When he saw me, he froze for a moment before frowning.

“Lily? What are you doing here?”

His gaze swept over me and landed on Sophia Moore.

“Why aren’t you dressed properly?”

Sophia immediately leaned into his arms with a pitiful expression. “I thought it was the delivery guy bringing condoms. I didn’t expect it to be Lily suddenly barging in. I didn’t even have time to change.”

I walked straight up to Ethan and pointed at the necklace around Sophia’s neck.

“Ethan, that was my mother’s wedding gift to me. How dare you give it to her?”

His eyes flickered, avoiding mine. “It’s just a necklace. I’ll buy you something better.”

“Better?” I laughed bitterly, my chest tightening as if something was gripping my heart.

“The Blue Tear Sapphire is one of a kind in this world. Where are you going to buy another one? Ethan, you know exactly what it means to me.”

He fell silent for a moment before his tone hardened. “Lily, stop making a scene. It’s late. I’ll have the driver take you home.

Besides, it was a gift from your mother to you as a married couple. That means it’s mine too.”

“I’m not going home.”

I met his eyes, every word deliberate. “I only want my necklace.”

Sophia chimed in, fanning the flames. “Lily, don’t be like this. I truly love this necklace. If you like another one, Ethan can buy you something else. Why insist on taking this one? Are you doing it just to target me?”

“Shut up!” I snapped, glaring at her. “This has nothing to do with you.”

Perhaps my look was too sharp—Sophia flinched and instinctively hid behind Ethan.

His face turned cold. “Lily Evans, must you humiliate yourself like this?”

Looking at the two of them clinging to each other, I felt only absurdity and ridicule.

Taking a deep breath to swallow the lump in my throat, I whispered, “Ethan, that necklace was my mother’s keepsake.”

He hesitated briefly, his expression conflicted, but then forced his voice firm. “It’s just a necklace. Since Sophia likes it, she can have it. I’ll get you a new one.”

“Replace it?” I laughed, but tears streamed down my face. “How do you replace my mother’s keepsake?”

I stepped forward, reaching to snatch the necklace from Sophia’s neck. She screamed and darted behind Ethan.

“Ethan!”

He blocked me, his grip on my wrist so tight it felt like he would crush the bone.

“Lily Evans! Enough!”

The searing pain in my wrist jolted me back to clarity.

I looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but his defense of her, and suddenly I didn’t want to fight anymore.

I yanked my arm free, stepped back, and cast one last long look at the necklace.

“Ethan Cole, we’re finished.”

At some point, rain had begun pouring outside the window.

The icy drops hit my face and body as I drove through the storm, tears blurring my vision.

I no longer wanted the necklace. And I no longer wanted Ethan.

Halfway home, my phone rang. Ethan’s name flashed on the screen.

When I answered, his voice held an edge of concern.

“Lily, are you home yet? The news says there’s a huge storm in New York City tonight. Don’t go out unless you have to.”

Before he could finish, Sophia’s coy voice cut in.

“Ethan, enough. Lily’s such a strong woman, she can handle herself. I’m the one who’s terrified of thunder and lightning—hold me tighter.”

Nausea twisted in my stomach. I hung up immediately.