Luxury Isn’t for Homewreckers. Love Isn’t for Cheaters - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Back in my office, I sat at my desk examining the damaged bag closely.
The scrape wasn't actually that big—you could barely see it unless you really looked.
But once a flaw appears, perfection is gone forever.
And because it was so precious, even this tiny imperfection would be nearly impossible to fix.
What would be even harder to repair? Leo's and my marriage.
The way he looked at me this morning still felt like a knife in my chest.
Leo and I always had lunch together—the Hartwell family chef would send food to my office, and he'd come over to eat with me.
Today I waited until one o'clock, figuring he wasn't coming.
Just as I opened the lunch containers, in he walked.
With Roxy Sharpe trailing behind him.
Her eyes were red and swollen, head hanging low, all meek and fragile.
I put down my forks and just watched them quietly.
Leo sat down beside me with a heavy sigh.
"After what happened last night, people have been giving Roxy a hard time around the office.”
I picked up my spoon to serve myself some soup, not even looking up.
"What's wrong? Can't the almighty CEO's secretary handle a little office drama?"
"Look, I need you to control your people. Stop making things hard for this poor girl!"
There was an unspoken agreement between our companies—we each had loyal employees embedded within the other’s ranks.
What he was really saying was: Your people are bullying her on your behalf.
Last night’s corporate gala had employees from both companies in attendance.
Roxy getting talked about was inevitable.
I stirred my soup and took a sip.
"First of all, I didn't order anyone to target or ostracize your secretary. You know that's not my style."
“Second, if she’s dealing with fallout today, that’s on her. She crossed a line.”
"Leo, you really don't understand human nature. All this special treatment and favoritism you're showing her? It's gonna make her enemies left and right. You're the one hurting her, not me."
Roxy, who'd been silent this whole time, suddenly stepped forward urgently:
"This isn't Mr. Hartwell's fault."
"Mrs. Anson, yesterday was my mistake. It was the first time I’d ever received a gift like that, and I let the excitement get to me. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
I paused, then laughed.
"Leo, your secretary is fascinating. She doesn’t understand boundaries, but she sure knows how to shield you.”
I didn't accept Roxy's hollow apology, and I didn't call off my people either.
Roxy's tears and wounded expression hit Leo's last patience.
For the first time, he completely lost it, blowing up at me and smashing his soup bowl right by my feet.
He even demanded I apologize to Roxy.
I did nothing wrong—why the hell should I apologize?
Leo and I had a nasty fight that day.
That afternoon, he took Roxy on a business trip, getting her out of trouble.
That evening, drinking with Nina, she said I was too damn capable.
That's how some bitch girl like Roxy caught Leo's eye.
My mom died when I was young, and Dad never remarried.
I was raised from childhood to take over the family business, carrying the weight of the entire Anson legacy.
Female weakness would only hold me back.
I could stick to my principles for thirty years straight.
Why couldn't Leo Hartwell do the same?
Bottom line—he just didn't love me anymore.
And I don’t cling to things that don’t belong to me.
"I actually went by Hartwell Corp today to get a look at this famous secretary. Jesus, at first glance, she's like a living Noelle doll."
"Especially those eyes and dimples—she looks way too much like you."