Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

She spoke as if it had nothing to do with her, as if she weren’t talking about herself at all.

The words floated out so casually.

They rang in his ears.

Herman Hawthorne narrowed his eyes, in disbelief. ”Zoe, what did you just say?”

She set down her teacup, walked over to him, and met his gaze. ”I said, since you won’t divorce me, then I’ll divorce you. To be honest, I think this has been hard on you, and it’s been hard on me too. I’m tired of dealing with Bianca Rhodes time and time again. I don’t want to play these cheap games with her anymore. I’ve given this a lot of thought. Our marriage has been nothing but an empty, meaningless shell for years.”

Herman Hawthorne had never expected to hear such a thing. He was completely unprepared.

”So, you want a divorce? Have you told your parents?”

”I can make my own decisions about my own marriage. Only the one wearing the shoe knows where it pinches. I’m the only one who knows if I’m happy or not; they can’t feel it for me. Whether we stay together or get divorced is my decision to make. After all, I’m not nineteen anymore.”

For a moment, Herman Hawthorne was at a loss for words. He wanted to say something, but nothing felt right.

He wasn’t the type to force her, just as he hadn’t forced her to marry him.

And he wouldn’t start now.

”Are you sure about this?”

She answered calmly, ”Yes, I’m sure.”

He didn’t argue. ”Let me think about it.”

Then he turned and walked out the door.

She was left alone in the living room. Zoe Ellsworth collapsed onto the sofa, limp and drained. After a long moment, she let out a laugh.

’From now on, I’m free to roam the world alone!’

She grabbed her purse and went upstairs. She flicked on the bedroom lights, and the first things that caught her eye were their wedding photos. They were practically everywhere.

Only now did Zoe Ellsworth notice that in all the wedding photos, she was the only one smiling. He just had his lips pressed together in that typical, unreadable, almost-smile of his.

She stood there for a moment, then turned on the heat. The chilly air soon grew comfortably warm.

After a long, hot bath, she stepped out of the bathroom and opened the closet. Staring at the row of clothes she had bought for him, she yanked them all out and stuffed them into the trash can.

’Turns out, compared to Bianca Rhodes, I’m the truly pitiful one. I just never admitted it.’

’What was there in this world that she couldn’t have?’

’Everything... except his heart.’

When she was a teenager, she’d thrown caution to the wind, not thinking about anything, and boldly married this man she thought was so dependable.

Now, she regretted it.

It was true. From the very beginning, they had been clear with each other. He had promised to treat her very well, and he’d kept his word. He also said he couldn’t give her a heart-pounding, passionate love.

But years had passed, and Zoe Ellsworth had a sudden epiphany. She had everything she could ever want... except love. What was the point of gaining more of what she already possessed?

Now, she wanted love. But that was the one thing he couldn’t give her.

If she was destined to live her whole life this way, Zoe Ellsworth felt her existence would be more than just tragic.

So, after thinking it over, she brought it up.

’And by the looks of it, he’ll agree soon enough.’

Zoe Ellsworth lay there, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. ’Call me stupid, call me an idiot, I don’t care.’

’I just want to live a meaningful life.’

In that moment, she suddenly understood her brother. He was the one who was truly living a meaningful life—risking everything for the women he loved, whether it was Jean Grant or Chloe Marshall.

’But his devotion to the former was foolish, just like mine is now. His love for the latter, however, is mutual, making all the sacrifices worthwhile.’

Zoe Ellsworth’s crying turned to laughter. She too would find a man to cherish and grow old with, to make this humiliating retreat from her high-society marriage worthwhile.

She sat up, opened the closet, and began to pack her things.

Three large suitcases in total: one for cosmetics, one for clothes, and one for shoes.

Once she was done, she lay down and went to sleep.

She slept soundly until morning.

When she opened her eyes, she found him sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her.

Zoe Ellsworth sat up and asked nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened, ”Have you made up your mind?”

A sound rumbled in his throat. ”Yes.”

She didn’t speak, waiting for him to continue.

”I’ll respect your decision.”

Hearing this, Zoe Ellsworth nodded. ”Okay.”

Their conversation was like one between strangers.

’It’s true. Without love, things are so clean and simple.’

She got out of bed and slowly got dressed in front of him.

Then, she had someone take her suitcases back to the Ellsworth Family estate.

She said to him, ”Let’s go. To the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

She led the way, and he followed right behind.

They had married in a flash, and their divorce was just as swift.

A comedic beginning, a tragic end.

This ending was set in stone from the very beginning.

If you hadn’t seen their journey together, who could have guessed how it would end?

Any guesses would have come from outsiders. Those involved had long since lost their way, so how could they have ever seen it clearly?

In with a marriage certificate, out with divorce papers.

Just that quickly, a single piece of paperwork decided whether two people were still family.

They stood at the entrance of the Civil Affairs Bureau, she to his right, he to her left.

A meter of space between them.

”Zoe, I’ll take you home.”

She refused. ”No, thank you. I may not have anything else, but I have money. I’ll transfer the full amount of the investment money for the clothing store to your account.”

”You don’t have to.” He frowned, not wanting to make such a clean break.

”Don’t argue. What’s yours is yours. We’re parting amicably. Herman, I hope the next woman by your side isn’t like me. And I hope the next man by my side isn’t like you. Because that would be a tragedy.”

With that, she turned and walked away on her high heels.

Her slender figure was quickly swallowed by the bustling crowd.

Herman Hawthorne stood there, completely motionless.

News of their divorce spread quickly. Netizens who had witnessed them at the Civil Affairs Bureau reported that they had filed for divorce, seemingly without any warning.

It caused a massive stir online, sparking heated discussions.

Some netizens blamed Herman Hawthorne, while others pointed the finger at Zoe Ellsworth, saying she was so domineering that no one could stand being with her.

Still others assumed a third party had come between them, causing the split.

When Mrs. Ellsworth saw the suitcases first thing in the morning, she had a vague sense of foreboding.

After questioning the driver, she grew even more anxious. Her daughter didn’t pick up her calls, and her son-in-law’s phone was turned off.

At nine o’clock, Zoe Ellsworth returned.

Mrs. Ellsworth rushed over to her, noticing her face was completely drained of color.

”Zoe, did you and Herman have a fight?”

She shook her head. ”No.”

”Then what about all this luggage? Don’t tell me these are just old clothes and shoes you’re getting rid of.”

”Of course not,” she said, walking into the house.

Mrs. Ellsworth hurried after her and sat down beside her. ”Then what is all this—”