I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 44

A second later, his phone rang.

Glancing down, Maxwell saw an unknown local number flashing on the screen, and Lyra's parting words instantly echoed in his mind.

Was it her damn lawyer?

The very thought made his blood boil, killing any desire to answer the call.

He aggressively powered off the device and slumped back into his leather chair. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, a ruthless, predatory glint sharpening his gaze.

After work.

Chloe Thorne came to pick Lyra up.

She was holding a bouquet of Lyra's favorite pink tulips.

It was rush hour, and the plaza outside the building was swarming with corporate employees.

Chloe scanned the crowd, her eyes locking onto Maxwell as he strode out of the lobby. Without missing a beat, she shoved the tulips into Lyra's arms.

"Congratulations to my gorgeous bestie on her smooth divorce! From now on, we drink good wine, check out hot guys, and admire six-packs! Who needs a husband anyway? They’re literally the most useless creatures on earth."

Most of the Sterling Group employees were well aware of Lyra and Maxwell's marriage, so at Chloe's loud declaration, dozens of heads whipped around to stare at them.

Chloe hadn't exactly kept her voice down; she had pitched it perfectly for Maxwell to hear.

That was the entire point.

She wanted the arrogant billionaire to realize that nobody was going to wait around for his pathetic scraps of affection forever.

Sure enough, Maxwell froze right in front of the corporate entrance.

There was no doubt he had heard every single word.

Knowing him perfectly, Lyra easily guessed her friend’s petty intentions and let out a helpless, affectionate laugh.

Lyra knew exactly who had given Chloe the card.

Her fingers tightened around the plastic, a suffocating wave of heavy grief washing over her.

"Lyra, just go back and see them. I can drive you right now, okay?"

Lyra opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat.

A harsh realization hit her.

For all these years, she had been acting like a complete coward.

"I'm not ready yet. Maybe this weekend."

Hearing the hesitation in her voice, Chloe knew better than to push.

"Alright. If you don't want to face them alone, I'll go with you."