One Moment Lost, An Eternity Apart

Over the years, no matter what Nathaniel said, I always followed through without complaint.

In life, I put him first, always.

But this time, it’s different.

“I refuse.”

I stared at Nathaniel, my gaze firm and unwavering.

He looked at me in disbelief.

Since we’d been together, I almost never went against his wishes.

Especially when he was angry—whatever he said, I would obey without question.

“Refuse to apologize and you’ll see what happens!”

He was seething with anger.

Just then, the call went through. A woman’s voice chirped from the other end of the line.

"Hello? Mr. Lewis? I’m helping you with your laundry. I didn’t expect your underwear to still have cartoons on them—so cute..."

Nathaniel’s expression changed instantly.

That normally arrogant face of his actually showed a flicker of panic.

He scrambled to explain, “It’s not what you think. I was just drinking at her place. I spilled soup on my clothes, so I changed... I was going to throw them out afterward…”

Watching him fluster like that, I remained calm. I took the phone and said to his so-called first love, “I’m Ivy. You don’t need to come to work anymore.”

Veronica didn’t back down—instead, she sneered.

“Ivy, don’t flatter yourself.”

“Who do you think you are?”

“On paper, you’re Nathaniel’s wife. In reality? You’re just a useless ornament he keeps around.”

“You’re old and washed up. He doesn’t care about women like you anymore. You have no right to give me orders.”

“This company? Only Mr. Lewis can fire me. You? Step aside!”

Her mockery and arrogance didn’t shake me. Not even a little.

Over the years, to help Nathaniel build this company, I endured more than most. I nearly lost my life for it.

Those experiences shaped me—taught me to remain calm no matter what storm came my way.

I said calmly, “You’ll regret this.”

She scoffed.

“Please. Save those scare tactics for kids. I’m not buying your act.”

She was tough.

I wasn’t mad either.

In fact, I was almost amused.

Ever since the company had stabilized, my heart hadn’t felt this stirred in a long time.

I didn’t argue with Veronica further. Instead, I handed the phone to Nathaniel. “Fire her.”

He took the phone and replied coldly, “It took effort to hire her. I’m not going to let her go so easily.”

“Then fire me,” I said, meeting his eyes.

“All these years and you’ve made no progress at all!” he snapped. “Still so petty and narrow-minded! She’s just a secretary—what’s gotten into you?!”

His shouting only made me calmer.

And then I said, with complete composure, “Then let’s divorce.”

The word hung in the air like a thunderclap.

Silence filled the room—so deep we could hear each other’s breathing.

He hadn’t expected it. Not from me.

But this wasn’t the first time I’d said it.

Four years ago, when the company was just beginning to take shape, I warned him to sever ties with the shady characters from his past.

He didn’t listen.

And it ended in disaster.

I took the fall—literally. I was stabbed protecting him and almost died.

As they wheeled me into the emergency room, I held his hand and said,

“If I die, then so be it. But if I survive this surgery and you still refuse to cut ties with your past… then we divorce.”