Chapter 9 A few days later , mysterious packages started showing up at my office . When I opened them , everything inside was ridiculously expensive . Harry Winston diamond necklaces , Hermès crocodile leather bags , and tons of designer jewelry . I'd seen this kind of apology routine plenty of times before . Back then , he'd send something romantic and I'd give him an out , and we'd both be happy . Now it just felt pathetic . I looked at the company books , then turned around and sold all that stuff for operating capital . This went on for about two weeks before Luke showed up himself . At an investor dinner , he crashed the party uninvited , standing there like a bouncer while everyone scrambled to their feet to greet him . Eyes kept darting between Luke and me , but nobody dared bring up the divorce . Harper Industries had announced the divorce publicly , and the news had covered it multiple times . A few days ago , I'd heard Mrs. White gossiping about all the drama . Nobody expected the Harper family's plans for a quiet divorce to get derailed by some little troublemaker . Turns out Ruby had heard about the divorce and immediately started posting photos with Luke online . Even though Luke was only half - visible from behind with his face blurred out , sharp - eyed internet users figured it out anyway . Energized netizens divided up the work , analyzing Ruby's thousand - plus posts , with detailed timelines spreading all over social media . She created burner accounts to fight back , but people just dug up more dirt on her . So she posted , " He doesn't love his wife anyway . If you can't keep your man , whose fault is that ? " Someone replied , " LOL . He doesn't love his wife but he loves you ? That necklace you posted in March ? 12.21 10 40 Chapter 9 Just like now - he was smiling like nothing had happened . Footsteps followed steadily behind me . I stopped . " Just say what you want . I don't have time for games . " He set down his wine glass and said casually , " You should see how the media's praising you , calling you so strong and principled . Everyone knows the Harper family produced this unbreakable woman . They praise you while tearing me down to nothing . " " The day you left , Grace went off on me . Stood on the third floor and screamed at me for half an hour . " " I figured after causing such a scene with the divorce and running away , with so many people sticking up for you , you'd be over it by now . " " So I came to bring you home . " Hearing those words , I realized I was furious , but facing him , my soul felt numb . I'd gambled everything on a clean break , but to him it was just a tantrum that would blow over once I cooled down . For a split second , I suddenly understood everything . All these years with Luke , whether it was love or marriage - maybe from start to finish , I was the only one who treated it like a sacred vow , like everything that mattered . So when it all fell apart and crumbled , I was the only one getting destroyed . Luke had made the same vows in front of that priest , but he'd probably never believed that love should be unwavering or marriage should mean absolute loyalty . Once I figured that out , I quickly turned away and wiped the tears I couldn't hold back . " Divorcing you means Luke Harper and I have nothing to do with each other for the rest of our lives . " I pulled myself together and spoke clearly . " You think divorce is a game , but I've never used marriage as a way to throw tantrums . I'm telling you - I don't regret it . Not now , not ever . I will never , ever regret it . " He grabbed my arm , like my anger didn't faze him at all , and said helplessly , " Fine , I regret it , okay ? I spoke too soon . These past two months without you , I'm not used to it . " I'd had enough . I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face . The sharp crack echoed through the tree lined path . Luke's head snapped to the side , and he touched the spot with his finger . " Is that enough to cool you down ? If not , hit me again . " " Once you're over it , come back to Manhattan with me . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!