Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

"I'm not here to negotiate. I'm here to inform you." Katrina's voice was

unwavering, and her expression was resolute. "Carlisle, this marriage is over. I am leaving."

She met his gaze head-on without hesitation in her stance. "Think carefully. If you refuse to sign the divorce papers, I'll take this to court."

Carlisle stared at her, stunned.

She looked like a stranger to him. He had thought if he lowered his pride and softened his tone, she would at least hesitate, maybe even reconsider.

But she hadn't. She still insisted on divorcing him. She was even willing to threaten him with legal action just to force his hand.

Did she not understand what kind of impact a public divorce would have on the company?

His gaze darkened, the last remnants of warmth in his eyes fading away. His lips curled into a cold smile. Without another word, he reached for the drawer beneath his desk, fingers moving toward something he had kept hidden at the bottom.

But before he could retrieve it, the office door suddenly swung open.

Annoyed, he assumed it was Natty barging in without permission. Without even looking up, he snapped, "Do you not know how to knock? Get out!"

Silence.

Something felt off. There was no hurried apology and no footsteps retreating. Sensing something amiss, Carlisle lifted his head and froze in place.

A familiar voice, cautious and laced with grievance, drifted through the room, "Sorry... I didn't know you were busy. Am I interrupting?"

The delicate tremor in that voice made his hands stiffen mid-motion.

His gaze darted to the doorway, and the moment he saw Shirley standing there, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. Then, his brows knitted together.

For the first time, her unexpected appearance irritated him.

But his heart softened again when he noticed the redness around her eyes and the hesitance in her stance.

"Shirley? What are you doing here?" His voice lost its edge as he tried to explain. "I didn't know it was you. I thought it was the secretary."

Shirley knew his temper wasn't directed at her. But lately, the sense of unease gnawing at her had only grown stronger. No matter what, she had to find a way to bring Carlisle's heart back to her.

"I saw you leave this morning without eating. You easily get an

upset stomach, and I was wet

you'd feel unwell, so I made

something for you," Shirley explained softly, lifting the insulated food container for him to see.

Then, as if unintentionally, she cast a fleeting glance in Katrina's direction. "I didn't realize Katrina was here. I hope I'm not interrupting? You won't blame me, will you?"

In the past, a remark like that, subtle yet laced with provocation, would have

unsettled Katrina. She might have felt a twinge of resentment or insecurity.

But now, she couldn't even be bothered. She wasn't fighting for Carlisle anymore. Why should she care about another woman's jealousy?

Katrina didn't even spare Shirley a glance. Her focus remained on Carlisle as she spoke, her tone crisp and unwavering, "Think carefully about what I just said. If it really comes to that, don't blame me for disregarding the years we spent as husband and wife."

Then, she finally turned to Shirley, her lips curling into a mocking smirk. "Besides, someone's clearly eager to take my place. Since you can't seem to let her go, why don't I just step aside and make it easier for you?"

The moment those words left her lips, Shirley's eyes lit up.

This was the best possible outcome. If Katrina willingly divorced Carlisle, there'd

be no need for underhanded tactics. Shirley wouldn't need to manipulate the situation or risk ruining her image in Carlisle's eyes.

She looked up at him, anticipation written all over her face.

But Carlisle wasn't paying the slightest attention to her. His mind was consumed

by the thought that Katrina was actually leaving him. And she had the audacity to say it so openly in front of someone else.noveldrama

That simmering anger he had barely been holding back threatened to boil over.