Mr. Knight, Your Ex is a Lab Mogul

On the night of their fifth wedding anniversary, Jolie Knight cooked an entire dinner herself.

But it wasn't until nearly ten o'clock that Kaden Knight finally came home—and the first thing he did was head straight for the shower.

The food on the table had already gone cold. Jolie dumped everything into the trash without hesitation.

When she picked up the jacket Kaden had tossed onto the couch, planning to throw it in the wash, her fingers pulled out a lace T-back thong from the pocket.

It wasn't the first time she had received that girl's little provocations. Including this one, it was the ninety-ninth.

The bathroom door swung open, and Kaden stepped out.

He was shirtless, with a white towel loosely hanging around his waist.

He glanced at the pink lace thong in her hand and barely reacted, only lifting a lazy eyebrow.

"Larry can be childish. You don't need to get worked up over her," he said.

Jolie's eyes traveled over the face she used to adore—still handsome, still familiar. How had things fallen apart in less than five years?

"You're crying?" Kaden asked as he approached her, noticing her red, swollen eyes. Instead of softening, he frowned. "This isn't the first time. Haven't you gotten used to it? Or are you mad I didn't come home early for dinner? Work's been crazy. Larry's had a ton on her plate, so I was helping her. Alright, I'm here now. I can keep you company."

He reached out to pull her into his arms, but she subtly stepped back.

"Don't touch me. You're filthy."

"What's your problem now? Jolie, I'm not in the mood to fight. This is about the gift, right? It's not like I didn't prepare something for you."

Kaden pulled a necklace from his suit jacket and handed it to her. "Here. Your anniversary gift."

It was a lily-shaped pendant. But Jolie had hated lilies since she was a child—she was allergic to them.

She had been to his office a few times. His new secretary, Larry Morgan, always kept fresh lilies on her desk.

So the necklace wasn't bought for her. It was for Larry.

"Kaden," she finally spoke, her voice slightly hoarse. "Do you remember what you said when we got married?"

"What did I say? I said I would love you forever. Haven't I?"

He frowned, clearly annoyed. "Jolie, I've told you this before—clingy love is small love, real love means giving space. We're adults. Every guy has something going on outside. What's so hard for you to accept?"

Jolie let out a soft breath. He really didn't remember.

He once told her to give him ninety-nine chances.

And now that the ninety-nine chances were up… it was time for her to walk away.

"Forget it. Doesn't matter."

Jolie shook her head, tossing the thong into the trash.

Then she left the bedroom for the study. And Kaden didn't bother following.

She opened a drawer, pulled out a business card, and dialed the number.

"Hello? Jolie? What made you call today? You've finally made up your mind?"

"Yes, Professor. About that research project you mentioned—I'm in."

The person on the other end froze for a second, then quickly recovered.

"Jolie, you're not joking, right? I've asked you so many times and you always refused because you couldn't bear to leave Kaden. What made you change your mind so suddenly?"

Jolie smiled faintly. "I was foolish before. I'm not anymore."

"But you know this project is completely closed-off. No outside contact for at least three years. And we depart in seven days. What about Kaden—"

"Don't worry about him. I've already decided to divorce him."

"I told you long ago, your absence is a huge loss for the research field. Good thing you finally came to your senses. Seven days from now, at the airport. The team and I will be waiting."