Actually, Jayson had already noticed that Ariel was on edge beside him; she kept sneaking glances at him.

He finally turned to look at her and suddenly asked, “How are you adjusting to the new job?”

Ariel pressed her lips together. “It’s going well. I actually really like it.”

“Sounds like working at Bluum Corp was tough on you.”

Ariel frowned. She wasn’t even professionally trained for the PR job at Bluum Corp. She’d only taken it to stay close to him and build a connection. But he never cared about what she wanted.

Jayson didn’t pay attention to what Ariel had replied. Just then, a WhatsApp notification popped up on his tablet.

He casually flipped the screen face down on the table, clearly trying to keep Ariel from seeing it.

Ariel got the hint and quickly looked away.

Jayson asked, “I’ve got something urgent to take care of. Can you grab a cab to work?”

It sounded like a question, but it really wasn’t. He’d already made up his mind not to give her a ride.

If anything, he was practically kicking her out of the car.

Ariel paused for a second, then answered calmly, “Sure.”

She ended up swallowing the question she wanted to ask.

She didn’t ask why Jayson had returned to their marital home last night. There must’ve been some specific reason. Otherwise, he would’ve been with Nancy.

Ariel got out of the car.

The snow from the night before had left behind a biting wind that clawed at her collar. She shivered from the cold. The Bentley didn’t linger. It drove off fast.

Left stranded on the side of the road by Jayson, Ariel didn’t even feel much anymore.

She tightened her coat, trying her best not to let the cold worsen her immune system and make her condition worse. Bracing against the wind, she flagged down a ride and headed to Faye Technologies.

That afternoon, Ariel had a two–hour meeting with Chad and the engineers from the technology department to discuss the idea she had come up with the day before.

In the end, Chad excitedly finalized the proposal on the spot. Ariel’s idea was not only feasible. It was groundbreaking.

It might even make her a trailblazer.

Ariel decided to first create a detailed development plan.

Just as she returned to her office, Janice called.

“Goddamn! My eyes need bleach! Why can’t that bitch drop dead already?” Janice was fuming.

Ariel asked, “What happened?”

“I was at this event at Frederick’s company today, stuck seeing that dumbass all morning. I figured I’d grab some desserts on the way back so we could eat them together. But guess who I ran into?

“Jayson and Nancy! They were on a date! And she was feeding him cake! In public! Do they have no shame?” 1

Ariel’s hand slowed as she signed a document. Her expression shifted to one of realization.

So the urgent matter that made him kick her out of the car in the middle of the road was actually a date with

Nancy.

“Ari?” Janice cautiously called out, realizing she had said something wrong.

Ariel snapped out of it and went back to working on her plan. “I’m fine.”

Forcing someone who despised her to fall in love with her was against the very nature of things.

People were complex and ever–changing. She had learned this truth from Lucas. How much more so with Jayson?

Janice offered, “Do you want to grab a drink after work?”

Ariel knew she was just trying to comfort her. She gave a light smile. “Why don’t you come help me finish this project plan instead?”

Janice hung up immediately.

Janice didn’t dwell on Jayson and Nancy, which eased Ariel’s mind a bit. Janice was like a little firecracker and couldn’t keep things to herself.

Sometimes, Ariel even worried that Janice would storm up to Jayson and Nancy and start a fight.

Over the next two days, Ariel spent all her time in meetings with Chad and the team to discuss the project.

Everyone was highly optimistic about her plan, and they were all buzzing with energy.

Chad gave Ariel a day off to rest.

Leonard called one day. He said he’d be spending two days at home with Katie before going back to the hospital. He told Ariel that if she wasn’t too busy, she and Jayson should come by for dinner.

That was when she remembered that Leonard’s birthday was the day after tomorrow. That was probably why he wanted them over.

After thinking it through, Ariel decided it was the perfect opportunity since Katie and Leonard would both be there.

She texted Jayson. “Are you free the day after tomorrow? It’s Uncle Leo’s birthday.”

He replied a few hours later, “I’m busy.”

Ariel stared at those two words and didn’t ask anything else.

On her day off, she finally got to sleep in. But her rest was cut short by a phone call from Janice.

“Ari, I hit someone…”