Chapter 16 She’s Given An Authority
Hayley was in disbelief. When she snapped out of it, she stood up, ready to leave.
But she couldn’t help but turn back to him and said, “You must be insane. Back then, you agreed to get married, and now you want a divorce? It seems like you don’t want anything to do with the Dale family anymore unless you’re prepared for your father and grandfather to give you a beating.”
After saying this, Hayley walked away. Her anger caused her blood pressure to rise, resulting in a throbbing headache. So, she found a spot in the living room to calm down.
“Christopher Dale.” Moments later, he rose from the dining table. Hayley’s shout had summoned him to the living room.
Hayley was fuming. She looked at Christopher and asked, “Does Lucy know you want a divorce?” To which Christopher replied, “She knows.” Hayley pressed on, “Does she know about you and Emily?”
“The only reason I married Lucy was because we owed her that much. Now that we’re married, there is no need to keep it hidden from her. The more secrets I kept hidden from her, the more annoyed I would be. She would be upset as well.” Christopher explained.
“What? So, you’re saying that you did this out of consideration for Lucy? When she was twenty, she lost her parents at your grandmother’s birthday party. Christopher Dale, you cannot be so heartless.” Hayley felt herself nearing a breaking point. As somebody more mature, she knew she had to speak up.
“She didn’t even like me.” Christopher countered. “This marriage was meant to give her a haven. How is that cruel?”
“No, that’s not true. She has feelings for you.” Hayley rebutted.
“How do you know that?” Christopher asked.
“To me, she’s like an open book. Her emotions are written all over her face. I thought you had feelings for her too, especially from how you both interacted at your grandmother’s party.” Hayley explained.
“You’re mistaken.” Christopher denied. He listened quietly as she talked but still denied her assumptions.
“So, your true feelings are for Emily?” Hayley asked. “Yes.” Christopher admitted.
“You……I can’t deal with this anymore. You need to tell your grandparents yourself.” Hayley said defeatedly. The revelation that Christopher liked Emily shattered her expectations.
After Hayley left, Christopher turned his gaze toward the stairs. Without a doubt, Lucy was standing there. She had heard the entire conversation between Hayley and Christopher.
Realizing she had been noticed, she descended the stairs still dressed in the clothes she had worn earlier. Lucy faced Christopher. “Then, should we go to the courthouse today?”
“The official document appointing you as my private secretary will be issued this morning. I can’t go to the courthouse.” He responded.
“I refuse to go, I refuse.” She didn’t even look at him, slowly moving back as she weakly murmured her insistence that she wouldn’t go to Dale Corp.
He had just openly confessed his feelings for Emily and had clearly stated the reason for their marriage. He also denied the chemistry they had when they first met.
There was nothing left. She doesn’t want to be his burden, nor continue to demean herself by staying. “The Dale family is taking responsibility.” Christopher asserted. “If that’s the case, then let me leave.” Lucy stated firmly.
“Why?” Christopher asked. “Because I’m unhappy.” Lucy revealed, avoiding his gaze but hoping he understood her desire for freedom. If he believed they owed her, she wished for them to let her leave.
Christopher stared at her silently for a moment. “Why would you be unhappy? If someone at the Dale Corp. is mistreating you, you can always report it to HR and have them fired.” Christopher suggested calmly.
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9:53 AM
She’s The One He Won’t Let Go
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