After Divorce, She Bloomed

"What?"

Serene's feelings of confusion, flipped between momentarily anger, then hurt and ended with utter bafflement.

What was Ethan talking about?

What did he mean by had she told anyone about their relationship?

"Serene," Ethan's stern voice echoed in her ear. "Answer the damn question, you know I don't like being ignored."

"Of course I haven't!" She was back to feeling hurt, untrusted.

How could he think she's do something like that. "Why are you asking me this, Ethan, you of all people know I even lied to my father about our relationship, all because I want it to stay safe and for both us."

"I'm sorry." Ethan apologized after a few seconds of silence.

"You're right, I shouldn't have asked you this, it's just...'

"He hesitated but Serene probed on.

"Just what?"

"I received a link today, a colleague of mine claimed that it was a story about a man who cheated on his wife with another woman, but after clicking it, there was nothing there. The page was completely blank." He explained, sighing afterwards.

"I guess that just got me kinda on edge."

"That's all?" Serene wished to understand where Ethan was coming from, but she couldn't. His words earlier showed how much he trusted her, little.

"Didn't you think for a second that your colleague might have made it up because he wanted to ruin your reputation? Not everyone is happy about your promotion like I am."

Another second of silence descended on them as Ethan thought his lover's words through.

She was correct. Ever since the news of his promotion had been announced he had seen many of his colleagues giving him the stink stare.

So why didn't he think something like this was possible? Why did he think it was alright to accuse Serene?

"You're right," He replied, feeling remorseful.

"I should have thought about it from that angle, I'm really sorry. I promise to make it up to you once I'm less swarmed with work. How does a pleasant surprise sound?"

"A surprise? What surprise?"

"It's meant to be kept secret, baby, that's the point of it being a surprise." Ethan teased.

"So, how does it sound?"

"Amazing I guess," Serene was still hurt, but the mention of a surprise, especially coming from Ethan, eased her anger.

"That's good. Earlier, it seemed like you had something to tell me?What was it?"

Serene opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly, she got an idea. Giggling, she said. "It's a surprise."

"Oh, come on," Ethan groaned, not liking a taste of his own medicine.

"You can't tell me that and then keep whatever it is a secret. It's not fair."

"Life isn't fair, and neither is this, goodbye Mr. Bennett." After ending the call, Serene stared happily at her phone.

She had already had plans to reveal her pregnancy today, but thanks to Ethan's distrust, she was now having a better idea.

A more fun idea. She was going to keep her pregnancy secret until Ethan had divorced Vanessa. Just thinking about how happy he'd be after divorcing Vanessa and learning that he was having a child with her, the love of his life, made her giggle. Her life was riding down such a pleasant path that she couldn't wait for everything to unravel.

Vanessa had spent more time in Michael's office than she had expected. By the time they concluded their discussion, it was already getting late.

Feeling tired, she went straight home, leaving a voice note for Lorraine who had been away from her phone at the moment. As she pulled into the driveway, the first thing she noticed was Ethan's Maybach parked.

"He's home." She said to herself, feeling her mood deteriorating at the thought of facing him.

After all the stress that damn article had put her through earlier, she didn't have the energy to take his bullshit, talk less play the role of the loving, doting wife.

Perhaps the universe loved her enough to place him in his study rather than the living room, she hoped as she stepped inside. Luckily, her prayers were answered. Ethan was nowhere in sight.

She was just about ready to zoom off to the master bedroom, when the sound of Ethan's voice booming loudly stopped her.

"I don't care what you have to do, I want all of them properties under her name to be mine in the next two months!"

Vanessa was taken aback, not only by the sheer volume of his voice, but by the words themselves.

Firstly, did he think he lived alone?

Or was he just too stupid to control how the volume of his voice worked?

And secondly, She clenched her hand in anger, how dare that sly fox try to run her over once more?

He was planning to make all her properties his in two months, whereas a divorce procedure took three months.

So even if she were to win the case, all the properties would already belong to him.

That fucking bastard, she seethed in her mind upon realizing that Ethan was making plans to move faster than her.

No, she had to do something to prevent that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ethan's study opening and soon, he stepped out.

He seemed completely surprised to see her back, but that surprise was quickly replaced with a charming smile.

"When did you get back, honey?"

"Just now," She responded, knowing fully well what his words meant.

When did you get back honey?

More like did you hear anything?

"Oh, I see." Ethan mumbled but he wasn't quite convinced with Vanessa's answer.

"Why are you sweating so much?" She drily questioned as she walked past him and into the kitchen. "Did you forget to turn on the AC in your study?"

"No," He chuckled as he followed after her. "I just had an intense call with a client. Nothing much."

"Okay.'

" Came Vanessa's uninterested answer.

As she did not pry any further, Ethan knew she mustn't have heard him.

He was relieved, and it was apparent on his face.

"How was work today?"

"Good."

Ethan nodded and stepped closer, resting against the island as he watched her pour herself a glass of water.

"Did you...speak with Lorraine concerning the proposal?" He asked.

Of course he was still hung up on the idea of getting the hospital, Vanessa thought bitterly.

"Yeah," She muttered and took a sip of her water, eyes narrowed at the counter.

Ethan's entire demeanor brightened. "And? What did she say?"

"Same thing," She turned to look at him with an uninterested gaze.

"She refused."

Ethan's heart sank and his patient attitude towards Vanessa suddenly snapped at the bad news.

Of course she was still incompetent, what the hell did he expect?

Silently, Vanessa watched as he pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head in disappointment.

And then she waited, pondering what he was going to do. Was he going to lash out on her? Call her incompetent? Or was he going to give her a lecture.

But to her surprise, Ethan didn't do anything. He didn't lash out nor did he scold her. Instead, he merely signed.

"That's alright." Vanessa had barely controlled the look of surprise on her face, when he placed his hand out and boldly demanded.

"The documents for the villa, let me have them."