He Brought His Assistant On Our Honeymoon And Gave Me A Separate Room Chapter 05

My old college classmate Nathan Brooks looked just as I remembered, only more composed. I gave

him a small smile.

“It’s been a while, Nathan.”

He and Adrian had gone from close friends to business partners, then from partners to bitte rivals. They’d clashed in business more times than I could count.

He’d tried to recruit me before, giving up only after I married Adrian and became a stay-at-home

wife.

Recently, he’d heard something-I didn’t know what-and started approaching me again.

Out of respect for our old friendship, I’d politely declined every time.

But things were different now. Adrian had used my brother to control me and sacrificed my dignity to protect Lily’s. He wasn’t worth holding on to anymore.

I still had my principles, though. I sat down and looked Nathan in the eye.

“Before we go any further, let me be clear: I won’t poach Adrian’s employees or share his

confidential business information. I’m here to compete, not play dirty.”

Nathan laughed, clapping his hands.

“You haven’t changed. Always so principled.”

I smiled too. Adrian had said something similar, only he’d called it an act. Maybe Nathan

understood me better.

Nathan’s smile faded, and his tone grew serious.

“Leave the poaching to me. You won’t have to get your hands dirty. You’ll handle business strategy and win projects through open bidding. I want you to finally put your talent to good use instead of letting it go to waste with Adrian.”

I nodded and held out my hand.

“I’m looking forward to working with you.”

Once we’d finished talking business, Nathan asked about my brother.

Our parents had died in a car accident when I was in college, leaving just my brother and me. I’d

wanted to drop out to take care of him, but Adrian had convinced me to stay.

and Nathan had organized a campus fundraiser, bringing students and faculty together to raise enough money to send Evan to a specialized school for autistic students. I could continue my education without worrying about his care.

Later, when Adrian’s business took off, he’d moved Evan to a better private care facility. I’d been

grateful for that help for years.

“Evan just left his old facility. I haven’t found somewhere suitable yet…”

I couldn’t hide the pain in my voice. Nathan led me to his computer.

“I know a new support center. The support specialists all have backgrounds in psychology, and

there’s an autism expert on site.”

I leaned closer. A headline stood out on the website.

More than companionship. Support for socialization and community life.

My hand shook. The word socialization made my eyes sting. Adrian’s voice from that night echoed

in my head.

To punish me, he’d put Evan through socialization training, leaving him alone in a busy street, terrified and overwhelmed.

Nathan noticed my expression and lowered his voice.

“Not right for him? I can help you find somewhere else.”

I collected myself and took another look at the website. The staff seemed just as qualified, and the surroundings just as pleasant, as at Evan’s old private facility.

“Let’s try this one. I’d like to see it in person.”

“Of course. I’ll arrange it.”

He agreed readily, looking relieved.

At first, Evan stayed shyly behind me.

After we’d looked around, he was even tugging at a support specialist’s hand, wanting a toy

Nathan and I exchanged a smile. We knew we’d found the right place.

Meanwhile, after a week of factory visits, Adrian hurried back to the hotel with a large bouquet of

Rowers in his arms.

He hadn’t wanted to spend their honeymoon working, but repeated problems in the company’s supply chain had convinced him to inspect the factories himself.

After the fight with Claire, the hurt in her eyes and Evan’s distress had made him realize he’done

too far this time.

Once, apologies had come easily. Now, for some reason, he couldn’t make himself say the words He’d used the factory visits as a chance to spend a week cooling off.

He’d told himself that once he got back, he’d give Claire his undivided attention. That would be his apology. He’d even sent Lily back to headquarters ahead of him, with orders not to disturb him, so work couldn’t intrude again.

He’d called Claire twice on the way back. She hadn’t answered either time. She’d never done that before, and it unsettled him more than he could explain.

As he entered the hotel, the front desk clerk called him over.

“Mr. Mercer, I have something for you from Ms. Bennett.”

He stopped. She wouldn’t answer his calls, but now she was leaving things for him? He hurried over and accepted the envelope.

“Where’s Claire? Why didn’t she give it to me herself?”

“Ms. Bennett checked out a week ago.”

As the clerk spoke, Adrian opened the envelope and pulled out the papers. Across the top, the heading was unmistakable: DIVORCE AGREEMENT.