The Man Who Destroyed Me Is Now Begging to Mend Me 10

hapter 10

“Emily preferred it,” Lucas replied, his hands tucked casually in his pockets.

The simplicity of his answer was a knife to Sophia’s heart. She clutched her drink tightly until the paper cup began to crumple, the sweet liquid turning to ash in her mouth.

“But she’s the manager,” Kevin pressed.

“So what?” Lucas replied, his tone flat and final. “She’s familiar with the open-plan office.”

‘Mr. Westwood knew he could always get away with hurting his wife precisely because she loves him so deeply, Kevin sighed to himself. He was about to say more when a flash of yellow fabric caught his eye.

Looking up, he found Sophia standing motionless, her presence suggesting she’d been there for some time.

“Mrs. Westwood,” Kevin said, noticing how tightly she was gripping her cup. Sensing the situation required privacy, he made a polite excuse to withdraw.

Within moments, the rooftop held only Lucas and Sophia.

Sophia kept her profile to Lucas, her composure unbroken despite what she must have overheard.

“I’ll be leading the market research project in Rosaville,” she said, her voice remarkably steady. “It should take about a month.”

If he was so determined to rekindle things with Emily, she wouldn’t stand in their way.

The month away would give her the clarity she needed to finally end their marriage.

Soon enough, she wouldn’t have to care what he did.

Lucas’s expression darkened. “Since when does a department head need to do market research herself?”

“Since now,” she countered.

Before she could move, he closed the distance between them. His broad frame pressed against her back, his familiar cologne washing over her.

But underneath it was another scent-something faintly sweet that turned her stomach.

“Are you upset?” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

She stared straight ahead, her voice dangerously calm. “If I said yes, would you fire her?”

“Don’t be unreasonable,” he said, his tone shifting to patient condescension. “Emily’s audience is perfect for our new product launch. This is pure business. I should have told you sooner, I admit that. But direct your anger at me, not her.”

Sophia twisted free of his grasp and took a deliberate step back. When her eyes met his, they were sharp

enough to cut glass.

“Lucas, you don’t have to go to such lengths to humiliate me. If you want me out of the picture, just say so. I’ll walk away from everything, including you.”

Lucas’s expression turned stormy. “What are you implying?”

“If you want Emily back, be honest about it. Stop with these mind games. After the divorce, you’ll be free to be with your precious Emily.”

Unexpectedly, a smile touched Lucas’s lips when he heard that.

“You’re jealous,” he concluded, looking oddly pleased. “You’ve been so distant lately. I even thought you had fallen out of love with me.”

Her reaction confirmed what he’d suspected-she still cared. The realization warmed him more than he’d admit.

“Darling, I just see Emily as a sister. You are the one I want, my only wife,” he said.

Sophia remained silent, knowing that she would no longer hold that title soon.

Sophia spent the afternoon moving her things to the most remote desk in the open office. The pitying looks from her colleagues were unmistakable, making her feel like a queen who had been dethroned.

She ignored their stares. The promise of 150 million dollars was enough to make her tolerate almost anything.

When the workday finally ended, Sophia quickly packed her bag, eager to leave.

Just as she reached the door, her colleague, Lily Stark, caught her arm. “Mr. Westwood is hosting a welcome dinner for Emily at the Grandon Hotel. The entire department is expected to attend.”

No one had bothered to tell Sophia about the dinner. Before she could protest, Lily was already steering her toward the elevator.

Mark