Chapter 6
At the airport, my phone vibrated in my bag. Ethan’s name flashed insistently.
After a week of hesitation, I finally answered.
His voice came through angry.
“Lily Evans, what’s the meaning of that divorce agreement? And the resignation email in my inbox?”
“It means exactly what it says-I’m divorcing you and quitting. Understand?”
My tone was calm, but my words hit like steel.
“Come back right now. The company project can only succeed with you. And for the record, I’m not divorcing you.”
I gave a cold laugh. “Suit yourself. Once the divorce waiting period is over, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.”
There was silence for a few seconds, then his tone softened.
“Lily, has it really come to this? I don’t want a divorce. If you come back, I’ll never let Sophia appear in front of you again.”
The absurdity of it almost made me laugh aloud.
‘In your dreams.”
I hung up before he could say another word.
Five hours later, I landed safely in France.
At the arrivals hall, someone had been waiting a long time. Through the crowd, I saw Adrian West-three years older now but still looking like the boy I remembered from high school- holding a bouquet of roses.
‘You’re finally here. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this day.”
‘West Enterprises has been missing a lady boss. Now that you’re here, it’s perfect.”
smiled faintly and accepted the roses. A gust of wind lifted my hair, revealing the bruise still on my forehead.
‘What happened to you? It’s still swollen.”
Adrian fussed over the injury, his eyes full of worry.
‘Come on, the estate has a private doctor. I’ll take you for treatment.”
Everyone knew the heir of West Enterprises had disappeared on my wedding day.
No one knew he’d bought an estate in France, shutting himself away.
When news of him surfaced again, it was because he’d launched a new company there-just in time to need a designer.
After my wound was treated, I told Adrian everything. His eyes reddened with anger and pain.
“Lily, I’ve decided to go back to the States. Ethan has gone too far-I have to get justice for you.”
I hadn’t wanted any further ties with Ethan. But after years of designs and projects under my name, I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving them to Sophia.
“I’ll go back with you.”
This time, I wasn’t just taking back what was mine.
Ethan Cole would pay for everything he’d done.
Three months later, I had fully recovered-and won the gold prize in France’s fashion design competition.
At Cole Enterprises, I had been forced to juggle both design and projects, stretched thin.
In France, I could finally focus solely on my creations.
Adrian held the trophy for a long while, then said quietly, “Lily, it’s time.”
“Tomorrow, Cole Enterprises is hosting a press conference. Sophia will appear as their lead designer.”
I nodded. “I’ve seen Sophia’s work in the news. It’s just one of the drafts I discarded.”
“Whether she keeps basking in stolen glory-it’s up to you.”
Adrian pulled out two plane tickets, already prepared.
By the time we arrived at the Banquet Hall, the place was bustling.
Sophia’s baby bump was obvious now, her crimson dress drawing attention as she greeted guests.
33
When her eyes landed on me, a flicker of guilt crossed her face, quickly masked by smugness. “Lily, long time no see!
She caressed her stomach with deliberate pride, her tone full of provocation.
