Chapter 10: The Ex Who Came Too Late

Hill Corporation stood like a monument in the center of Melbourne.

Its glass exterior reflected the morning sun, reminding everyone who passed that it belonged to one of the country's most powerful business empires.

Ethan Lowe stood in the lobby, silently waiting.

For the first time in his life, he felt nervous.

"Mr. Lowe," Hadley greeted politely. "Mr. Hill will see you now."

The elevator stopped on the top floor.

As Ethan entered the executive office, he immediately noticed Shaun standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Without turning around, Shaun spoke.

"You're five minutes early."

"I didn't want to be late," Ethan replied.

Shaun finally turned to face him.

"Sit."

Ethan sat down, but the pressure inside the room made him uncomfortable.

For several moments, neither man spoke.

Finally, Shaun broke the silence.

"You asked to discuss my wife."

"Speak."

Ethan clenched his hands.

"I made a mistake."

"I shouldn't have left Catherine."

"I thought Rebecca was the woman I loved... but after Catherine left, I realized I was wrong."

Shaun's expression remained unchanged.

"And?"

"I want another chance."

"I'd like you to divorce her."

The office became deathly quiet.

Hadley, who stood near the door, almost thought he had misheard those words.

Shaun calmly picked up his coffee.

"Mr. Lowe."

"Do you know why successful people rarely lose valuable things?"

"Because they understand their worth before it's too late."

"Unfortunately... you don't."

Ethan lowered his head.

"I know I've hurt her."

"But she still loved me."

"If you give me one opportunity, I'll prove I've changed."

Shaun slowly placed the coffee cup back on the table.

"When she cried because of you... where were you?"

"When her own parents chose another daughter over her... where were you?"

"When she walked out of that house carrying her suitcase alone... where were you?"

Each question struck Ethan harder than the last.

Because he had no answer.

"I..."

"You were standing beside Rebecca," Shaun finished for him.

"You watched Catherine lose everything."

"Now that someone else values her... you suddenly remember you love her."

"Tell me, Mr. Lowe..."

"Is that love?"

"Or is it simply regret?"

Ethan's face turned pale.

For the first time, he realized he couldn't defend himself.

"I'm not asking you to forgive me," he whispered.

"I'm asking for one chance."

"You already had seven years of chances," Shaun answered calmly.

"You wasted every single one."

"Now she's my wife."

"And I don't share what belongs to me."

Ethan slowly stood up.

"Does Catherine really love you?"

"Or did she only marry you to get revenge on me?"

Shaun's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Whether she loves me today isn't important."

"Because I'll spend every day giving her reasons to love me tomorrow."

"Can you honestly say you ever did the same?"

Silence.

The answer was obvious.

Shaun walked toward the office door.

"Our conversation is over."

"From this moment on..."

"Stop contacting my wife."

"If you continue disturbing her life..."

"I won't deal with you as Catherine's former boyfriend."

"I'll deal with you as Hill Corporation's chairman."

The warning was calm.

Yet far more frightening than shouting.

Ethan understood exactly what it meant.

If Shaun wanted to destroy the Lowe family...

It would take only a few days.

After Ethan left, Hadley looked at Shaun curiously.

"Mr. Hill... weren't you worried Mrs. Hill still has feelings for him?"

Shaun walked back to his desk.

"Of course she does."

"Seven years can't disappear overnight."

"Then why aren't you concerned?"

"Because love built on betrayal eventually fades."

"Trust, however..."

"Must be earned."

"And that's exactly what I'm going to do."

At the same time, Catherine was supervising renovations for her newly established design company.

The empty office was slowly transforming into the workplace she had always dreamed of.

Freya walked in carrying two cups of coffee.

"President Hill," she teased.

"How does it feel owning your own company?"

Catherine laughed.

"Honestly? Terrifying."

"You'll do great."

"Especially with your husband secretly clearing every obstacle in front of you."

"Speaking of him..."

Freya suddenly lowered her voice.

"Do you think you're starting to fall for Shaun?"

Catherine froze.

Her smile slowly faded.

That question had crossed her own mind several times.

She looked down at the wedding ring on her finger.

The marriage had begun as revenge.

A reckless decision made during heartbreak.

But somewhere along the way...

Shaun had stopped feeling like a stranger.

And started feeling like home.

Without realizing it...

Catherine quietly whispered the answer she had been afraid to admit.

"Maybe..."