From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 81

I almost didn’t pick up, but what if it was about Cindy?

As soon as I answered, Julia’s voice came through, clear and a little teasing. “Ms. Greenwood, where did you vanish off to? Don’t tell me you ran away with some mysterious guy. Remy’s been tearing Georgia Bay apart looking for you.”

The storm outside was still raging, and my nerves were shot.

He’d been gone for a whole day and night. Not a single call, not a single message.

Now, with wind and rain battering the city, he was out there playing the desperate hero—searching for me like it meant something. Who did he think he was fooling? How much longer did he plan to keep up this perfect-guy act?

“Where I am is none of your business. What Remy does is none of my business. And honestly, Julia, we’re not close, so please don’t call me unless it’s important. If that’s all, I’m hanging up.”

Julia’s voice called out as I ended the call. “Avery, Remy’s not someone you can trust. If you’re leaving, don’t look back.”

I hung up without another word.

Her warning kept echoing in my mind.

Yesterday afternoon, when she came to see me at the hospital, she’d done plenty of bragging, but I never felt any real malice from her. Nothing she said had actually hurt me.

And now, she was telling me not to look back.

What was she really after?

Before bed, I did what I always do—scrolled through my phone. Years of late nights had burned that habit into me.

Every app was quiet except Remy’s messages. His chat bubble flashed with a red notification—99+.

I didn’t open a single one. I put my phone on silent, hugged my comforter, and fell asleep almost instantly.

My dreams took me back over the last six years with Remy.

Remy, panicked, clinging to Cindy, completely lost.

Remy, down on one knee with a ring, asking me to marry him.

Remy, crying at our wedding, swearing to love and cherish me forever, promising he’d never betray me.

He hadn’t slept a wink.

Honestly, seeing Remy like this hit me harder than I expected.

If Julia had never come back, if that night on the terrace had never happened, if Remy had always cared this much, maybe I would have stayed. Maybe I would have spent my life with him, even if it meant no passion, just raising Cindy and growing old together.

But things had changed. Neither of us could ever go back.

Georgia Bay’s drainage was impressive—the water had mostly cleared, though flooded cars still lined the roads, waiting for the insurance guys to show up.

I grabbed the breakfast Marian packed for Elliot and hurried to work.

The whole online drama had mostly blown over, but a few people were still whispering and staring as I walked in.

I straightened my back and walked into the lobby like I always did—calm and confident.

“Avery! You’re finally here.”