Chapter 36

Angela POV

"Jealous?"

Sean froze for a moment, as if caught off guard. His gaze softened just a fraction before he reached up with his fingertip and gently wiped the blood from the corner of my lips.

The touch was tender, but his voice was anything but gentle.

"Even if I am jealous, so what?" he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. "Don't forget, legally, you're my wife."

His face leaned closer, his lips nearly brushing mine. The heat from his breath washed over me, sending a shiver through my body.

And for a split second, I was tempted.

Tempted to let go.

To let him kiss me, to feel the weight of his presence suffocate all the frustration I'd been holding in.

But as soon as his lips were inches from mine, I turned my face away, breaking the moment.

"Being your wife legally doesn't mean anything," I said, a faint smile curling my lips, laced with mocking humor. "Or let me put it this way-if you're jealous of me, doesn't that mean you're betraying Christina?"

The mention of her name hit like a slap, and I saw his expression darken immediately. His jaw tightened.

"Why bring her up?" he demanded, his voice low, almost growling.

"Can't I?" I shot back, my tone biting. "Then why bring up Nathan?"

Silence fell.

His anger simmered in the space between us, but neither of us spoke. We just stood there, locked in a standoff.

Finally, with a slight loosening of his grip on me, Sean rolled off the bed, standing up with an abruptness that left the air thick with tension.

He wrapped the towel around his waist again, but the image of his huge cock lingered in my mind longer than I cared to admit.

I refused to look at him. Instead, I forced myself to focus on the pain in my wrist-the spot where his grip had bruised me earlier.

"Savage," I muttered under my breath, getting to my feet. I reached down to pick up the laptop that had fallen to the floor in the struggle.

But when I turned it on, nothing happened. The screen stayed black, stubbornly refusing to respond.

Great！My work for the night was ruined.

Sean was still standing nearby, his cold presence unwavering. He wasn't leaving, and that unsettled me even more.

"Not going to work anymore?" he asked.

I snapped, my frustration boiling over. "You broke it! How am I supposed to work now?"

Sean hesitated for just a moment, then reached for the laptop. "Let me take a look."

"No need,"

His eyes flicked to my face, catching the anger in my expression. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing as his tone softened.

"Then I'll buy you a new one."

I laughed , finding it both frustrating and almost amusing.

"Do you really think I need your money for a laptop?"

But as soon as the words left my mouth, reality hit me. Someday, when I had a child to care for, when I was scrimping and saving, I'd need every penny I could get. Maybe the price of a laptop could buy diapers, formula, or toys for a little one.

I changed my tone, still irritated but calculating.

"Fine. Just transfer the money to me now."

Sean's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but quickly, he pulled out his phone and made the transfer.

"I thought you didn't need money," he said, his voice laced with mockery. "Should I also transfer the fifteen million you gave back me?"

I scoffed, dismissing the idea. "No need."

I checked my phone as the notification came through. 100,000.

"That's too much! A laptop only costs a few thousand."

"Consider the extra as my apology."

"My laptop cost 8,000," I said flatly. "I'll just take what I'm owed." I handed the excess money back to him without another word.

"Do you really have to be so precise about everything?" Sean asked, his voice carrying an undercurrent of frustration."You and Nathan... are you so precise with him, too?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I picked up the broken laptop and walked toward the guest room.

The next morning, I walked into the small repair shop with my damaged laptop.  After all, I didn't have much time left at the company, and buying a new one felt like a waste.

When lunch came around, Emily and I sat down in the small cafeteria. She was uncharacteristically quiet, pushing her food around on her plate instead of talking and laughing as she usually did. I raised an eyebrow, concerned.

"What's wrong?" I asked, setting my own fork down. "Is it because I've been forcing you to work overtime lately? Are you too tired?"

Emily shook her head, her gaze lingering on her plate. When she finally looked up, her eyes were wet with unshed tears.

"Angela... are you going to quit?"

I froze. I had planned on keeping it from her for a while longer. The last thing I wanted was to upset her. I cleared my throat before replying, trying to sound casual.

"Did Nathan tell you?"

Emily shook her head again"No. He didn't say anything, but I can feel it... you're rushing to hand everything over to me."

"Please, keep it to yourself for now, don't tell anyone,"

Emily's face scrunched up. She leaned in closer, her voice growing more desperate. "Is it because of Christina? Is she the one pressuring you?"

"Didn't you hear what I said yesterday? You're just a junior employee! Focus on your own work! You have to learn to survive in the company without me."

"I just... I just don't want to lose you."

I sighed and reached across the table, gently grasping her hand.

"I understand," I said softly, squeezing her fingers.

After lunch, we returned to the office.

I walked through the familiar hallways, still thinking about Emily's words. I didn't notice the time passing until we reached the lobby and I saw the large digital clock on the wall.

I froze mid-step. Only a week left.

Elizabeth's surgery was just around the corner.

Time felt like it was slipping through my fingers, and I couldn't help but wonder if everything would turn out as I hoped.

Would Elizabeth be alright?

And would my divorce with Sean go smoothly, as planned?

I shook my head, pushing the doubts away.

I had to keep going. For now, all I could do was hope.