No Way Back from Regret

I calmly took the letter from him. "If I stick around, where would you even fit?"

I was leaving with my packed things when I ran straight into Isabel.

She was wearing a set of lingerie, the jewelry around her neck sparkling brilliantly. She froze when she saw me, then her eyes landed on teary-eyed Miles. At once, she scowled. "Did you bully Miles again?"

I'd bullied him again?

What utter nonsense.

I had already resigned, so I didn't bother indulging them. I said mockingly, "Every time you speak, you claim I bully him. Go ahead, call the cops. Tell them I bullied him and have them throw me in jail for a few years."

Isabel's fists balled up. "Colin, can you stop being so aggressive? It's no secret that you've always had it out for Miles! You came to the office…"

Before she could finish, I cut in, "If I hadn't come to the office, how would I get to witness such a steamy scene? Can't the company afford clothes anymore or has the trend moved on? Do models really have to be naked while the designer works? Ms. Atkinson, what a noble sacrifice for art!"

My words hit hard. Isabel's face darkened instantly.

At that moment, Miles cried out, "Stop fighting, you two! I'll feel awful if you keep arguing because of me!"

I looked at him and laughed. "What's it got to do with you? The stuff you come up with is just a jumble of overcomplicated designs and high prices, exactly like your fake rich act."

Miles' face went pale, and he looked like he might collapse.

Feeling sorry for him, Isabel pulled him into her arms. "How could you be so vicious, Colin? Apologize to Miles now!"

Miles was holding the jewelry. "Colin, I know you've always been proud and looked down on my work, but this time, I've improved the design a lot…"

He held out the pearl and gemstone necklace like a treasure, presenting it to me.

Before he could get close, he theatrically fell onto the ground, causing the jewelry in his hands to drop and shatter all over the floor.

He was beside himself with distress. "Mr. Marsh, I know you look down on my background and my designs, but you can't treat me this way!"

Furious, Isabel marched forward and gave me a tight slap.

When my head tilted to one side from the slap, even Isabel herself looked surprised.

After we got married, we had fought occasionally, but this was the first time it got so bad.

It was also the first time things got physical between us.

I stared at Isabel. She had a guilty expression on, but still insisted, "Why do you think you're above us all? Apologize to Miles now!"

I stepped back and spread my hands, one holding the resignation letter and the other a box. "How could I have possibly pushed him?"

Isabel froze, then turned to look at Miles.

Well, I had underestimated how foolish she could be.

I couldn't believe she'd thrown all reason out the window just because Miles whined a little.

Miles cried, "I'm sorry, Mr. Marsh. If anyone is to blame, it's me. This is all my fault. I never should have gotten close to Isabel. She was just so friendly. I'll leave now, alright? You're the lead designer. How can you walk away like this? I'm the one who should go. I'm just an intern."

Isabel spun around and demanded angrily, "Colin, apologize now!"

I burst out laughing in anger, then raised my hands and dumped everything I was holding right onto Isabel's head. The onlookers froze, barely daring to breathe.

In that tense silence, I smiled faintly and said, "You're acting like you're crazy. Don't pass it on to me."

After saying that, I left the scene.

The moment I got into the car, I got a text from Miles.

He sent a few photos of Isabel wearing lingerie and even some nudes of her.

"Mr. Marsh, your wife's amazing. She said she wanted to be my muse. As her husband, did you hear something like that from her? Perhaps I know her better. I can satisfy her better in bed too."

Before I could reply, I got a call from Isabel's mother, Moira Olsen. She said she was hosting dinner tonight to make up for their absence from the previous banquet.

I sneered but still agreed.

Since they weren't keen on coming home, this time, I'd make sure they never came back.