I Was The Backup Plan, She Was The Return Chapter 04

I Was The Backup Plan, She Was The Return Chapter 04

Sloane left as soon as I went in, glaring at me with red-rimmed eyes.

I ignored her, staring at the two documents on Julian’s desk.

One was headed [NOTICE OF TERMINATION].

The other document was mostly covered, leaving only the word [SEPARATION] visible at the top.

I assumed it was for our divorce, and that both documents were meant for me.

I managed a polite smile and spoke first.

“I understand. I’ve already written my resignation.”

Julian frowned at me, but I kept going before he could respond.

“As for the other one, I agree. I’ll sign the papers and email them to you.”

“Moving out might take a little time, but I’ll be out of your way as soon as possible.”

He looked stunned, perhaps surprised I wasn’t begging him to reconsider.

I turned to leave, relieved I’d said what I needed to, but Julian jumped up, hurried over, and caught my arm.

“Nora, I think you’ve got the wrong…”

A knock interrupted him.

“Mr. Mercer, the executives from headquarters are here. They need you in the conference room right away.”

He let go of me, looking oddly irritated.

“We’ll talk when I get back.”

Talk about what?

So he could explain why he didn’t want me and how much trouble I’d caused him and Sloane?

I’d used up all my courage. I couldn’t bear to hear him reject me.

Sloane was waiting by the entrance when I left with my things.

Now that she’d won, she didn’t bother pretending anymore.

“I actually knew Julian was married before I came back to the States.”

“I just never imagined it’d be to you.”

She clicked her tongue.

“Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“Before I left, I told him in the heat of the moment that anyone he found after me would be a downgrade.”

“Want to know what he said?”

I didn’t, but she kept talking.

“He said he’d rather settle for someone like you than keep trying to get back on my good side.”

“I’m sorry you ended up being collateral damage in our relationship.”

“Oh, and he knows you’ve had a crush on him for years. You know what he called it?”

“Disgusting.”

After I walked away from Sloane, I felt unsteady on my feet, my head buzzing.

Somehow, I managed to call movers and clear everything of mine out of Julian’s home.

As their truck turned the corner, I emailed Julian my resignation and the divorce agreement I’d signed.

After five years of loving him in silence, I was finally letting him go.

—

The executives from headquarters spent hours trying to talk Julian out of resigning, but he handed in his resignation anyway.

He’d had enough of the trouble Sloane had caused since coming back.

Back in his office, he picked up the termination letter on his desk.

He’d been livid when he found out Tyler was harassing Nora.

He’d have confronted him on the spot if Nora hadn’t wanted to keep their marriage private.

His phone chimed with an email notification.

He checked it without thinking, but the message left him stunned.

He bolted out of his office, then froze at the sight of Nora’s empty desk.