Chapter 8
Garrett opened the message with anticipation, but as he read its contents, all the color drained from his face.
So Renee had known everything that night. No wonder she’d pleaded with him so desperately, begging not to drink that glass of milk.
And what had he done?”
“Hello? Mr. Morgan, are you still there? If you have time, remember to bring your wife in for a follow–up.“%
“She won’t be coming…”
“Excuse me?”
.Garrett’s voice wavered, thick with emotion.”
“Renee found out everything. She’s gone…”
By then, I was already halfway across the world.
The moment I stepped off the plane, I spotted Iris–my best friend, whom I hadn’t seen in ages–waiting for me in the crowd.%
After I told her everything that had happened, Iris rolled up her sleeves, ready to storm back home and tear Garrett and Tania apart.?
I grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Let it go, Iris. I left the divorce papers behind. I want nothing more to do with them.“%
She pulled me into a fierce hug, her voice thick with outrage and concern.}
“It’s for the best, honestly. Who knows what that bastard would’ve done to you if you’d stayed? Let him and that witch Tania destroy each other. You’re gorgeous, talented, and even back in college, every director was fighting over your scripts. If it hadn’t been for Garrett, you’d already be an award–winning screenwriter.“%
Bitterness welled up inside me.
Back in school, Iris and I had both majored in screenwriting–our professors called us the rising stars of the industry.
Iris was always adamantly against marriage. After graduation, she’d moved to Australia to chase her dreams.
I, on the other hand, married Garrett right out of college and soon got pregnant. Using concern for my “safety” as an excuse, Garrett insisted I stay home, forbidding me from working and telling me to rest for the baby’s sake.%
That was the start of a nightmare–one endless cycle of pregnancies and miscarriages./
But now, finally, I’d clawed my way out.
Iris told me she had a new project on her hands, and she was overwhelmed. She asked if I’d partner with her–fifty–fifty split.
I smiled and agreed. Writing had always been my dream.
“But before we get down to business,” Iris declared, “let’s have some fun. Scripts can be written anywhere, and thanks to my last hit, I’ve got cash to burn. Come on, let’s live a little!“%
Traveling the world together had been our college dream. Now, at last, we could make it real.
While Iris and I roamed the globe, eating, drinking, and laughing ourselves silly, back home Garrett was losing his mind trying to find me.%
For the first time in his life, he was skipping work. He hadn’t set foot in the office in weeks.
Sampson, meanwhile, was desperate to prove himself to the Morgan patriarch and secure his spot as the next CEO. But there were projects only Garrett knew inside and out, and with Garrett gone and unreachable, Sampson was left floundering.”
A few bad decisions later, the old man tore into Sampson, and the handover of the company was
Tania, heavily pregnant, came to find Garrett, hoping to persuade him to return to work. She wasn’t about to let her golden ticket slip away.!!
“Garrett, still no word from Renee Diaz? Honestly, she’s being so childish. Her little tantrum has thrown the whole company into chaos–and you’re running yourself ragged over–“%
“Shut up!” Garrett snapped, cutting her off. “I’m not in the mood to deal with you, and don’t even think about taking advantage of this. The mess at the office is Sampson’s problem, not Renee’s!”
It was the first time he’d ever raised his voice at Tania–let alone sworn at her. She flinched, eyes brimming with tears, her lips trembling.
“Garrett, I’m only worried about you. Why are you yelling at me? You’re scaring me…“>
Garrett let out a harsh, bitter laugh. Suddenly, he grabbed her by the throat, his smile twisted and cold.
“Scared, are you? Tania, who are you trying to fool? You weren’t scared when you used Renee’s own child as your little health tonic, were you? Don’t pretend you feel anything now!”
