Chapter 4: The Woman Who Never Came Back

Two days later, Trevor's private jet landed in Celeste's home country.

He had canceled two important meetings without hesitation.

His assistant couldn't remember the last time Trevor had changed his schedule because of a personal matter.

Even Trevor himself found it strange.

He kept telling himself he wasn't chasing Celeste.

He was only ending her childish tantrum before it affected Jordyn.

That was all.

At least, that was what he wanted to believe.

The moment he stepped out of the airport, he dialed Celeste's number again.

"The number you have dialed is currently switched off."

The same cold mechanical voice answered him.

Trevor frowned.

"Find her," he instructed his assistant.

"Yes, Mr. Fleming."

Within an hour, the driver stopped outside Rodriguez Group Headquarters.

Trevor stared at the towering glass building.

He had visited only once after their marriage.

Back then, Celeste had happily introduced him to everyone as her husband.

She looked at him with pride.

He had barely stayed ten minutes before leaving for another meeting.

Now, standing in front of the same building, he suddenly realized he knew very little about his wife's world.

Inside the lobby, the receptionist smiled politely.

"Good afternoon. May I help you?"

"I'm here to see Celeste Rodriguez."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fleming. Ms. Rodriguez doesn't meet visitors without an appointment."

Trevor was slightly surprised.

Nobody had ever refused to let him in before.

"Tell her her husband is here."

The receptionist maintained her professional smile.

"Please wait a moment."

She made a phone call upstairs.

Several seconds later, she nodded politely before hanging up.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fleming. Ms. Rodriguez is currently in an important meeting."

"Tell her I'll wait."

"Certainly."

An hour passed.

Then another.

Trevor remained seated in the lobby.

Employees quietly walked past him, whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that Ms. Rodriguez's husband?"

"I've never seen him here before."

"Why is he waiting downstairs?"

For the first time in years, Trevor experienced what it felt like to wait for someone.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Celeste was presenting a billion-dollar investment proposal.

"If we acquire the European technology company before the fourth quarter, our international market share will increase by at least twenty percent," she explained confidently.

Every executive listened attentively.

No one mentioned Trevor's arrival.

They all knew one thing.

Ms. Rodriguez hated being interrupted during work.

Three hours later, the meeting finally ended.

Mia approached carefully.

"Ms. Rodriguez... Mr. Fleming has been waiting downstairs since this morning."

Celeste paused only briefly.

"I know."

"Would you like to see him?"

"No."

She picked up another file.

"Schedule my next meeting."

Mia blinked.

"You... don't want to meet him?"

"There's nothing left to discuss."

Her voice remained calm.

There wasn't even a trace of anger.

That calmness frightened Mia more than tears ever could.

Downstairs, Trevor finally saw the elevator doors open.

His eyes immediately searched the crowd.

Then he saw her.

Celeste walked through the lobby wearing a fitted white suit and black heels.

Her long hair was tied neatly behind her head.

Several executives followed beside her, discussing contracts and investment figures.

She looked confident.

Elegant.

Powerful.

This wasn't the Celeste who spent every evening waiting for him at home.

This was the woman she had been before becoming Mrs. Fleming.

"Celeste," Trevor called.

She stopped.

Slowly, she turned around.

Their eyes met for the first time since she had left Andostan.

"Mr. Fleming," she greeted politely.

Her tone was so distant that Trevor almost thought she was speaking to a stranger.

"We need to talk."

"I'm busy."

"It won't take long."

"I have another meeting in fifteen minutes."

Trevor frowned.

"You're avoiding me."

Celeste smiled faintly.

"No."

"Then let's talk."

"About what?"

"The divorce agreement."

The lobby instantly fell silent.

Several employees looked at each other in shock.

Celeste remained perfectly calm.

"If you've already signed it, have your lawyer contact mine."

"Celeste..."

"Excuse me."

She attempted to walk past him.

Trevor instinctively grabbed her wrist.

"I'm talking to you."

The executives surrounding Celeste immediately became tense.

Mia stepped forward.

"Mr. Fleming, please let go of Ms. Rodriguez."

Trevor ignored everyone else.

"You're serious?"

"I've never been more serious."

Her answer was immediate.

Without hesitation.

Without emotion.

"Why?"

Celeste looked directly into his eyes.

"Do you really need me to answer that question?"

Trevor remained silent.

"Seven years, Trevor," she continued quietly.

"I spent seven years waiting for you."

"Waiting for you to come home."

"Waiting for you to remember my birthday."

"Waiting for you to love me."

"I waited long enough."

She gently pulled her hand free.

"I'm tired."

For the first time, Trevor noticed there were no tears in her eyes.

Only peace.

That frightened him far more than anger ever could.

"Come back with me," he said.

"No."

"Jo misses you."

A flicker crossed Celeste's expression.

It disappeared almost immediately.

"Take good care of her."

"You're her mother."

"And she already has someone she'd rather call Mom."

Trevor froze.

So...

She had heard it.

She had heard every word Jordyn said that morning.

Before Trevor could explain, Celeste looked at her watch.

"My meeting is about to start."

"Goodbye, Mr. Fleming."

Without another glance, she turned around and walked away.

The executives followed behind her.

The elevator doors slowly closed.

Trevor stood alone in the lobby, staring at the place where she had disappeared.

Only now did he finally understand.

The woman who had left Andostan...

Had no intention of ever returning.