- 8.
I saw Henry standing outside the studio as I
left work.
I frowned, instinctively quickening my pace.
He grabbed my arm. “Mia.”
>
His voice was low, laced with a note of
desperation I’d never heard before.
I looked at him, my expression blank.
“What do you want, Henry?”
His eyes held a flicker of pleading. “Mia, I’m here to take you home.”
I stared at him, confused.
“Home? I am home.”
He reached for me, but I sidestepped him.
“The Harrison estate is your home. I’m here
to take you back.”
A bitter smile touched my lips. I remembered
a time when I suggested we go “home”
together.
وو
He’d sneered at me.
“Home? Where’s your home? Don’t tell me
you actually think this is your house.
وو
I’d stopped using the word “home” after that.
“Henry, I’m not delusional. I know the
Harrison estate isn’t, and never was, my
home.”
His face paled. “No, that’s not… I didn’t
mean it like that. I just… I didn’t realize my
feelings then. I know now. I won’t say things like that again.”
“I love you, Mia. Please come home with me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And how is that my
problem?”
Before he could answer, a voice called out
from behind me.
“Mia, ready to go? Dinner?”
Ben walked towards us. “Who’s this?”
Henry looked at me expectantly.
I replied flatly, “My serially cheating ex-
husband.”
Ben, having heard about Henry from Carla,
looked him up and down with open disdain.
“Regretting your life choices, are we?”
The undisguised contempt in Ben’s voice
made Henry bristle.
“This doesn’t concern you.
99
I chuckled, ignoring him. I turned to Ben.
“Where do you want to eat? Carla’s out
tonight.”
Ben thought for a moment. “Sushi?”
I winked. “Lead the way.”
Henry called after me repeatedly, his voice
cracking with emotion.
I didn’t falter, walking away without a
backward glance.
L
Over dinner, Ben, fueled by curiosity, asked
about Henry.
I recounted the story, focusing on the facts,
keeping my emotions in check.
By the end, Ben was staring at me with wide,
sympathetic eyes. He took a large gulp of
sake.
“Don’t worry, there are plenty of fish in the
sea.”
His earnest expression made me laugh.
I hadn’t anticipated Henry’s persistence. He
was, after all, a man who valued appearances
above all else.
The next day, he was waiting outside the studio with a bouquet of roses.
He gazed at me with what he probably thought was a soulful expression.
“Mia, I’m not giving up. I’ll wait for you. However long it takes.”
I frowned. “Henry, we’re over. The contract
ended. Move on.
وو
He tried to hand me the roses, but I turned
and walked into the studio.
For days, he continued his vigil, a one–man
show of romantic persistence.
His self–absorbed theatrics were starting to
get on my nerves.
く
Then, news broke that Harrison Corp. was
being investigated for tax evasion.
Henry was forced to return and deal with the
fallout.
A friend later told me that Molly, during
Henry’s absence, had gathered evidence and
reported him.
The investigation revealed massive fraud.
Henry, as CEO, was arrested.
My divorce, stalled by his refusal to sign, was
finally finalized.
Receiving the divorce decree felt like a
physical burden being lifted.
Henry, from jail, requested a visit.
I refused without a second thought.
Some people are better left in the past.
He wasn’t worth my time.
“Mia! The biggest cosmetics company in the
country wants to partner with us!”
Carla burst into my office, practically
bouncing with excitement.
“They love the machine you designed! They
want a long–term contract!”
I stared at her, stunned.
Leaving the wrong person had indeed opened
Leaving the wrong person had indeed opened
doors to a brighter future.
