Forgiveness Isn't Free: James Davidson Returns

Chapter 6

Rose Pov

Rose was seated in her office on the top floor of The Brooks World headquarters. Her legs were crossed neatly, red stilettos tapping a slow rhythm under her marble desk. She was flipping through an imported fashion magazine when her phone buzzed. The screen read:

"Davidson & Hunt LLP."

She blinked. Confused for a moment, she answered with her usual cool tone.

“Hello?”

“Good afternoon,” a crisp voice replied.

“This is Melissa Grant, from Davidson & Hunt Legal. We’re following up regarding the divorce filing between Mr. James Davidson and yourself. Kindly confirm if you’ve reviewed and signed the documents so we may proceed to file with the court.”

Rose leaned back slowly in her chair. There was a beat of silence.

“…Excuse me?” she said, half-laughing.

“The divorce documents. Our records show Mr. Davidson signed them a day ago. He instructed us to move quickly. We’re awaiting your signature to proceed.”

Her brow arched high.

“He’s… in a hurry?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s asked for it to be finalized at the earliest possible date.”

Rose laughed—a sharp, mocking laugh that rang through her office like glass cracking.

“Oh, my God… is this a joke?” she muttered. “He must be really desperate to save face.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Nothing,” Rose said, waving her hand dismissively as though the caller could see her.

“Tell your client I’ll sign it when I have time. But don’t expect me to drop everything for a man who couldn’t keep his wealth together. He used to act like he was untouchable—now look at him. Clinging to scraps.”

There was a pause.

“Understood, ma’am,” the voice replied professionally.

“We’ll await your response.” The line went dead.

Rose tossed the phone onto her desk and rolled her eyes.

“A legal team,” she muttered with a scoff. “Trying to act like he’s important.”

She stood and walked toward the mirror near her office window, fixing a stray hair behind her ear.

“James Davidson,” she said aloud to her reflection, “you were once the king, yes. But now… you're nothing but a ghost trying to wear a crown.”

Moments later, her phone rang again. This time, it was her mother. She answered.

“Hey, Mum.”

“I heard from your father,” her mother said cheerfully. “That James finally filed for divorce? Is it true?”

“Yes, and he even had his lawyer call me, like he’s still some big shot,” Rose replied, rolling her eyes.

Her mother laughed. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The same man who used to walk into our home like he was doing us a favor.

“I know,” Rose said with a smile. “I’ve got Charles now. The CEO of Woodlord Global. A man who knows power when he sees it—and treats me like royalty.”

Her father’s voice chimed in from the background speaker.

“Let that James rot in his failure. He couldn't even keep his own company afloat, let alone provide for you properly. Honestly, Rose, you wasted time on him. Should’ve seen it coming.”

Rose chuckled. “I’m the one who should have divorced him. I just gave him a little time to pretend he had pride left.”

They all laughed.

“And you remember how he used to pay for our family vacations?” her mother added, amused. “Now look. I doubt he can even afford to fly economy.”

“Oh, please,” her father scoffed. “He used to act like some business genius.

“Exactly,” her mother said quickly.

Rose narrowed her eyes slightly, amused. “Funny how he used to make it sound like he was doing us a favor. Like our success was thanks to him.”

“Delusional,” her father muttered. “He wanted to be a hero. But what kind of man builds a legacy just to lose it overnight? He’s not a visionary, he’s a clown with a checkbook—and now the checkbook’s empty.”

“And let’s not forget,” her mother added, “he used to go on and on about how he ‘believed in us.’ Please. He saw an opportunity to make himself look good by helping the family. That was all ego.”

Rose smirked. “Well, that ego is going to hurt when he realizes I signed those divorce papers like he was just another contract to be closed.”

“You did sign them?” her father asked eagerly.

She glanced at the paper on her desk. “I was just about to. Why not? Let’s make it official. Let him see just how quickly I can move on.”

She picked up the pen, clicked it once, and scribbled her signature across the dotted line in smooth, practiced strokes. The ink bled confidently into the paper.

“There,” she said. “James Davidson is nothing but a name I used to wear. Now it’s just a stain I’m wiping off.”

“Good for you, darling,” her mother said warmly. “You’re better without him. Charles is a much better match—and frankly, better looking too.”

“And more powerful,” her father added. “That’s what matters. Security. Legacy. James had a moment, sure. But when the wind changed, he couldn’t keep the fire going.”

“I remember when he helped us get that second warehouse,” Rose said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Everyone acted like he was some savior. What a joke.”

They all burst into laughter again, not realizing—or not caring—that they were casually dismissing the man who once invested in their dreams, vouched for their loans, and negotiated their deals behind closed doors.

To them now, he was just the fool who lost his crown.

Rose slid the paper back into the envelope and rang for her assistant.

“Send this to Davidson & Hunt,” she instructed coolly. “Priority delivery.”

As her assistant nodded and left the room, Rose walked back to the window, watching the city skyline shimmer beneath the afternoon sun.

“He wanted an ending,” she whispered. “Well… here it is.”

She smiled—sharp and unbothered—as if the years of James’s support had vanished into thin air.

To her, he was no longer the man who once helped build her empire. He was just a forgotten stepping stone she now crushed beneath a designer heel.