One Moment Lost, An Eternity Apart

He cried and promised he’d do anything—anything—if only I survived.

But things are different now.

And for the second time, I said the word “divorce”.

I turned and walked toward the bedroom. Behind me, I heard Nathaniel shout, “Fine! Whatever—you want a divorce, then divorce!”

I froze for a second, gripped the door handle tightly, then opened the bedroom door and stepped inside.

Leaning against the door, I listened to the sound of him storming out.

Bang!

The sound of the front door slamming shut echoed through the house.

It felt like a door had slammed shut inside me too.

He was gone.

I curled up in the corner and cried.

The last time I cried like this, I was still in school.

Back then, I grew up alone, constantly bullied. I had no one, so I would hide in corners and cry by myself.

Nathaniel found me one day and grinned, “Why are you such a coward? What are you crying for? If someone bullies you, fight back.”

I didn’t take him seriously, but he threw his arm around my shoulder and started talking—about Peter, Kenedict, Benjamin.

That was the first time I realized that even a school delinquent could be more cultured than me.

I believed him.

And then... I got beat up again.

When he saw me with a swollen face and a bloody nose, he laughed until he couldn’t breathe.

I laughed too, foolishly.

But after that, the bullies weren’t so brazen anymore—because they knew I had learned to fight for my dignity. I was no longer someone they could toy with.

Since then, I hadn’t cried again.

Until now.

The tears of thirteen years surged like a broken dam, uncontrollable.

The next day, I covered my swollen eyes with sunglasses and went to the company.

Nathaniel wasn’t there.

Veronica spotted me and smirked arrogantly.

“Well, well, you really showed up.”

“Planning to fire me, huh?”

“Been a decorative vase for too long, now you think you’re the boss?”

“Do you even know your place anymore?”

“Good, keep acting like this. It’ll only make Nathaniel hate you more. I can’t wait for your divorce!”

Her mocking voice reminded me of a time—years ago—when the company hit a crisis and I was at my lowest.

Back then, Nathaniel comforted me like he always did, draping an arm over my shoulder:

“Remember what Peter said? Don’t get angry at the enemy. Anger only makes you dumber. Leave the rage to your enemies—let them scream in vain while you keep your cool.”

I asked, “Did Peter really say that?”

He blinked. “Who cares? As long as you get the point.”

I never verified whether Peter said that or not.

But over the years, I truly took those words to heart.

I looked calmly at Veronica. “Call Nathaniel. The company is about to hold a board meeting.”

“A board meeting?”

She let out a scornful laugh. “You? A nobody like you? You think you can convene the board? You really think you’re someone?”

I ignored her and walked straight to the boardroom.

The company’s operations had always been steered by me from behind the scenes.

The funding? I secured it.

In fact, most of the board members invested because of me—not him.

By the afternoon, the entire company was buzzing with a bombshell update.

“Several major shareholders have formed a unified front. They’re calling a board meeting to elect a new chairman.”

“I heard it’s going to be a major shake-up. Not just a new chairman, big personnel changes are coming.”

“This meeting will define the company’s future!”