I Refuse to Die for His Regret

I Refuse to Die for His Regret

Author: Bryan Jacobs III

Chapter 5: Shredded Contracts, Shattered Trust

I took a few deep breaths, then, with trembling hands, slowly tore the agreement to shreds, page by page.

After scheduling an outpatient procedure at the hospital, I waited, but the secretary never came. Instead, Ryan's partner, Lucas Reed, showed up.

Today, he wasn't wearing a suit—just a faded blue denim shirt.

Unlike Ryan's sharp features, his face was gentle, his skin fair, dimples in his cheeks, with a scholarly air.

Back then, Lucas was Ryan's capable subordinate, brought in as a co-founder.

"You here for the agreements?"

Lucas shook his head with a smile. "Autumn, I'm splitting from Ryan."

Not surprising.

Ryan was ruthless in business.

But Lucas wasn't as mild as he looked.

Apex's biggest future rival would be Northlight, the company he founded.

Lucas smiled. "I'm here to say goodbye. After all, we worked together for three years."

I smiled back, barely nodding.

His gaze landed on me, gentle as a winter hearth—warm and comforting.

"Autumn, you've lost a lot of weight. You don't look well."

I slumped on the sofa. "Do you want my shares? I can transfer 15%."

He paused. "Ryan said you already transferred your shares to him."

He gave a bitter smile. "That's why I have to leave."

I glanced at the shredded papers in the trash. "You mean that one-dollar transfer agreement?"

I was too weak—my laugh was barely a breath. "You really think I'm that stupid?"

Lucas didn't deny it, his eyes full of gentle sadness.

—Even outsiders could see how foolish I'd been.

I thought Ryan married me out of love.

I was wrong.

He married me because he'd never find anyone as foolish as "Autumn."

It still hurt, deep down.

I asked again, "Do you want the shares? That way, you won't get pushed out."

"Instead, you can push Ryan out."

As an orphan, Ryan cared most about money and status.

I wanted to see if the tragic story's male lead was still attractive without wealth and power.

After talking to my lawyer about the divorce, I sent Ryan a text for the record: [Let's get a divorce.]

He didn't reply, not even by midnight.

Not surprising. My messages to him could wait days, or never get answered at all.

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