No More Picking Up His Pieces Chapter 14

No More Picking Up His Pieces Chapter 14: The Reason for the Divorce

After the elevator doors slid shut, Arabella didn’t look back. Not until she reached the first floor did she slowly let out a breath.

The tight, aching weight in her chest still lingered, but compared to last night, her mind was startlingly clear now.

She knew exactly what she was doing. And she knew that once she’d taken this step, there would be no turning back.

The moment the doors opened, nearly everyone in the lobby turned to stare. Some pretended to busy themselves with work, while others couldn’t tear their eyes away fast enough.

Arabella saw it all but paid it no mind. By sending the divorce agreement straight into Kingston Group’s meeting room today, she had long since stopped caring about propriety.

She had just stepped through the revolving door when hurried footsteps came up behind her.

“Arabella.” Maxwell had chased after her.

He hadn’t even grabbed his suit jacket this time, still clutching the crumpled divorce agreement in his hand. His face was cold and stormy. He stepped directly in front of her, blocking her way. “Get in the car.”

Arabella looked up at him and gave a faint smile. “What? Mr. Kingston, are you planning to force me back?”

Maxwell stared at her, his voice low and heavy. “I don’t want to make a scene out here in front of the company building.”

Arabella nodded. “What a coincidence. Neither do I.” With that, she moved to step past him.

Maxwell shot out a hand and gripped her arm tightly. His hold was firm. “I said get in the car,” he snapped.

Arabella glanced down at his hand gripping her arm, suddenly feeling a bitter urge to laugh. He’s always like this. No explanation, no backing down. Just blocking me, pressuring me, and giving orders first.

She lifted her eyes to meet his, her tone softening a little. “Maxwell, do you know what’s most annoying about you?”

Maxwell said nothing.

Arabella didn’t wait for his answer either. “You always think that as long as you calm me down, there’s still room to talk things through. But you’ve never once stopped to wonder why I don’t want to talk anymore.”

A faint flicker crossed Maxwell’s face. “You’re only acting like this because of Daisy, aren’t you?” he said.

“It’s not.” Arabella cut him off sharply, catching Maxwell off guard. She looked straight at him, her gaze calm and steady. “I’m not divorcing you because of Daisy.”

Maxwell’s brows pulled tight. “Then what’s it for?” he asked.

Arabella smiled faintly. “So now you finally want to ask?”

She pulled her arm free from his grip, slowly but firmly. “I’m leaving, not because she wore the bridal jewelry set, not because she posted that tweet, and not because she played the poor victim on the street.

“She’s only the last straw. The real reason I can’t stay in this marriage anymore is you.”

At those words, the calm on Maxwell’s face finally cracked.

Arabella went on quietly. “Maxwell, yesterday you kept asking me why I had to take things this far. I’ll tell you now.

“Because every time something goes wrong, you always deal with the situation first, worry about sparing everyone else’s embarrassment first, and think of me last.

“That’s how it went with the bridal jewelry set, with the trending list, with the Kingston family, and with Daisy.”

The corners of Arabella’s eyes reddened as she spoke, but no tears fell. Her voice only grew quieter. “I didn’t lose to Daisy. I lost to all those times you didn’t choose me.”

Maxwell stared at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing hard. Those words cut deeper than any outburst or accusation ever could.

Because Arabella wasn’t yelling or blaming. She was simply stating a fact, the one he’d always known deep down but never dared to face.

Maxwell stayed silent for several long seconds before speaking, his voice low and hoarse. “I never chose anyone over you.”

Arabella let out a laugh. “Never? Maxwell, if you’d truly chosen me the day of the bridal set incident, Daisy would never have worn it in public.

“If you’d truly chosen me last night, the first thing out of your mouth when you showed up at the workshop wouldn’t have been telling me to take down the video.

“If you’d truly chosen me today, you wouldn’t have stood in that meeting room asking who told me to deliver the agreement there.”

She stepped closer to him. “Do you know what it really means to choose someone?”

Maxwell held her gaze, saying nothing.

Arabella nodded and answered for him. “It means defending her first. Standing by her side first. Caring whether she’s hurting first. Not telling her to be sensible the moment things go wrong.”

Maxwell’s expression darkened bit by bit. He wanted to argue, but found he couldn’t refute a single word. Everything she said was the plain truth.

Looking at his face, Arabella suddenly felt utterly worn out. “So stop asking me why I want a divorce. This isn’t some impulsive decision, and I’m not acting out of jealousy or madness,” she said quietly.

“I’ve simply had enough of putting up with it all,” she said, turning to leave.

This time, Maxwell didn’t stop her right away. He stood rooted to the spot, watching her walk a few steps before jolting back to his senses. He hurried after her and grabbed her wrist again. “Arabella.”

Arabella closed her eyes briefly. There it is. He’s always like this. Always half a beat too late.

She turned to face him. “What now?”

Maxwell stared at her, his voice low and rough. “I won’t sign the agreement.”

Arabella nodded. “Fine. If you won’t sign, I’ll file for divorce in court.”

Maxwell’s face went rigid. “Do you really have to push it so far?” he asked.

Arabella smiled faintly. “Mr. Kingston, the divorce agreement was just delivered straight to your meeting room. Isn’t it a little late to ask that now?”

Her words made Maxwell’s grip on her wrist tighten noticeably. Arabella winced. She was about to speak when Maxwell’s phone suddenly rang. It was Jessica.

Maxwell ignored the call. It stopped, only to start ringing again at once. He still didn’t answer.

Arabella glanced at the screen and suddenly said, “Pick it up.”

Maxwell stared at her without moving.

Arabella tugged the corner of her mouth into a cold smile. “Aren’t you always terrified of things spinning out of control? This time, they might really be.”

Her words hit a nerve. Maxwell finally answered the call.

Jessica’s panicked voice burst through the line at once. “Mr. Kingston, something’s happened.”

Maxwell’s brows sank. “Talk.”

“Subdued Lumina wants to put the collaboration on hold. They’re calling off the launch conference tomorrow.” Jessica was panting.

“They just called to say the bridal jewelry set is too closely tied to Ms. Wayne. The risk is too high right now, and they’re going to reassess the whole project,” she added.

Maxwell’s face went ashen in an instant. Arabella stood nearby and heard every word clearly.

The collaboration with Subdued Lumina was one of Kingston Jewelry’s most critical projects this year, something Maxwell had personally overseen for over half a year.

A suspension now wouldn’t just mean reputation damage. It would mean real, substantial financial losses.

Jessica kept talking on the line. “Two media outlets are asking about the restoration credit dispute. I can’t hold them off much longer. Mr. Kingston, you need to come back right now.”

Maxwell gripped his phone, his expression turning dangerously cold.

Arabella looked at him and suddenly gave a soft smile. “Does it hurt now?”

Maxwell lifted his eyes to meet hers. His gaze was tangled with too many things. There was anger, frustration, losing control, and a flicker of panic he refused to admit.

Arabella pretended not to see any of it. She lowered her head and smoothed out the crumpled cuff of her sleeve, bit by bit.

“Maxwell. Now you finally know. When I walk away, what the Kingston family loses isn’t just Mrs. Kingston.” She pulled her wrist free from his grasp.

This time, Maxwell didn’t go after her. It was not because he didn’t want to, but because Jessica’s urgent voice was still blaring from the phone. Kingston Group was already in chaos.

Arabella watched him standing there. He was no longer arguing with her or ordering her to get into the car. A bitter sense of irony washed over her.

So compared to Kingston Group, I’m not always the last. Sometimes Kingston Group and I are equal. It’s just that I’m always the one expected to step aside.

She raised her hand to flag down a taxi. Before ducking inside, she glanced back at Maxwell one last time. “Go back. You’ve still got a mess to clean up, Mr. Kingston.”

The car door closed. Maxwell stood frozen in place, clutching his phone. His expression turned to ice.

Jessica’s anxious voice came through the phone once more. “Mr. Kingston, Subdued Lumina made it clear. If Ms. Wayne doesn’t come back, they’re pulling out of the collaboration entirely.”