My Divorced CEO Wife Is Begging for Me Back

Chapter 2

Rhea returned home just after midnight.

The living room was still lit, but the house was unusually quiet. There was no warm soup waiting for her, and Conan hadn't come to the door to ask whether she'd been drinking again.

He was sitting on the sofa, sorting through some documents.

"You're still awake?" she asked.

Conan looked up.

"I've prepared the divorce agreement."

He placed a document on the coffee table.

"Take a look. If everything's fine, we can sign it tomorrow."

Rhea's eyes flicked toward the papers. She almost laughed.

He had actually gone to the trouble of preparing divorce papers just because he had overheard her conversation with Lana.

"Conan, are you seriously still upset about that?"

"I'm not upset. I want a divorce."

"Look, whatever you heard at the bar was just a joke. I've never cheated on you. Nothing has ever happened between Daven and me."

Conan watched her quietly.

"When you said you would divorce me as soon as he came back, was that a joke too?"

Rhea hesitated. "Why do you have to take everything so literally? Daven's been abroad for three years. He's coming back tomorrow, and I'm going to pick him up. I hope you won't make a scene over it."

"Go ahead."

Rhea frowned. "What?"

"You don't need my permission to see him."

His indifference irritated her.

She'd expected Conan to question her about Daven, perhaps ask whether she still loved him. In the past, whenever another man got too close, Conan would try to hide his jealousy, but she could always tell.

Tonight, he hadn't asked a single question.

"So this is how you're going to act?" she demanded. "You bring out divorce papers and give me the cold shoulder because I'm picking up an old friend?"

"I'm divorcing you because you don't love me, Rhea."

Her expression stiffened. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer. 

Then she folded her arms. "Fine. If that's what you want to believe, I can't stop you."

Conan pushed the agreement a little closer. “Then read it."

Rhea didn't even glance down.

"Put it away, Conan. I'm not playing this game with you."

"It's not a game."

"Of course it isn't." She gave a dismissive laugh. "You think waving divorce papers in my face will make me jealous enough to stop seeing Daven?"

Conan looked at her for a moment.

"You can see whoever you want. I'm not asking you to choose anymore."

He gathered the other documents and stood.

"Sign the agreement when you're ready."

Rhea watched him walk toward the kitchen.

She had expected him to argue, to demand reassurance, perhaps even apologize for upsetting her.

Instead, he'd left the conversation as if there were nothing more to discuss.

A few minutes later, Conan returned with a glass of warm water.

Rhea instinctively reached for it.

Her stomach had begun aching after the wine. Conan always remembered to bring her something warm when she came home late.

But he walked past her and drank the water himself.

Rhea slowly lowered her hand.

"After I pick Daven up tomorrow, we'll talk properly," she said.

"All right."

He returned to his documents.

That calm answer bothered her more than she wanted to admit. "Conan, you can stop pretending you don't care."

He didn't look up. "I'm not pretending."

Rhea pressed her lips together before heading upstairs.

She didn't touch the divorce agreement.

Why would she?

Conan had spent three years putting her first. He'd given up his career, helped her build Voss Sparkles Enterprises, and taken care of practically everything at home.

She knew how much he loved her.

A man like that wouldn't end their marriage over a few careless words.

He was jealous of Daven's return and wanted her to reassure him.

By tomorrow, he'd probably regret bringing up divorce.

***

Rhea lay awake longer than usual.

Normally, Conan would come upstairs to check whether she'd taken her stomach medication. Even after an argument, he rarely let her go to bed without making sure she was comfortable.

Tonight, he never came.

At nearly two in the morning, she reached for her phone, intending to call him upstairs.

Then she stopped.

If she went looking for him now, he'd think his little divorce threat had worked.

She put the phone down.

Let him sulk for one night.

Downstairs, Conan continued packing.

He placed his personal documents, certificates, and bank records into a folder, then folded the clothes he intended to take with him.

The divorce agreement remained on the coffee table, unsigned.

He had asked Rhea to read it. She hadn't even bothered to pick it up.

Conan looked toward the staircase.

For three years, he'd been the one to close the distance between them after every argument.

He wouldn't do it again.

By dawn, his belongings were packed into a backpack beside the sofa.

***

Rhea arrived at Milan International Airport well before Daven's flight landed.

Lana had insisted on accompanying her, chatting excitedly about his return while Rhea checked the arrival board.

At ten, Daven emerged from the arrivals gate.

He wore a tailored coat and carried a leather travel bag. Spotting Rhea, he smiled and hurried toward her.

"Rhea! It's been three years."

Before she could respond, Lana playfully pushed her forward.

Rhea stumbled into Daven's arms.

He caught her around the waist.

"You're even more beautiful than I remember."

Rhea quickly stepped back and gave Lana an annoyed look. "Stop messing around."

Lana laughed. "Come on! You two haven't seen each other in three years."

Daven released Rhea, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "You haven't changed at all, Lana."

"And you've gotten even more handsome," Lana replied. "Rhea's been waiting for this day forever."

"Lana," Rhea warned.

Daven turned to her. "How have you been?"

"Good. Busy with the company."

"Don't believe her," Lana interrupted. "Her career's going wonderfully, but her love life hasn't been nearly as happy."

Daven raised an eyebrow. "I heard you got married, Rhea. Does your husband know you're here? I wouldn't want to cause trouble between you two."

Rhea hesitated. "Conan knows."

Lana scoffed. "Why worry about Conan? He's been living off Rhea for three years. He doesn't even have a proper career."

"Lana, that's enough," Rhea said.

"What? I'm just telling the truth." Lana turned to Daven. "Besides, Rhea only married him after you left. You know how heartbroken she was."

Daven looked at Rhea. "Is that true?"

"She's exaggerating."

Lana leaned closer. "Believe it or not, they've never even shared a bedroom. Rhea's always kept her distance."

Rhea's cheeks warmed. "Lana! Stop talking about my marriage."

Daven offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Rhea. I shouldn't have asked. Your marriage is none of my business."

But he was pleased by what he'd heard.

He had returned to Milan partly because his mother wanted him involved in the family inheritance dispute. His prospects were uncertain, while Rhea had built Voss Sparkles Enterprises into one of the city's leading jewelry companies.

Her wealth and connections could be extremely useful. And if Lana was telling the truth, Rhea might still have feelings for him.

He intended to find out.

"Anyway, you must be exhausted," Rhea said. "Let's get going."

Lana checked her phone.

"Actually, I've got something to take care of. You two go ahead without me."

She winked at Daven before leaving.

Rhea sighed and led him toward the parking garage.

***

Daven placed his suitcase in the trunk of Rhea's car.

"I can stay at a hotel," he offered. "I don't want to trouble you."

"We'll figure that out later," Rhea replied.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want your husband to misunderstand."

Rhea remembered Conan sitting beside the divorce papers, calmly telling her she could see whoever she wanted.

The memory irritated her again.

"It's my house, Daven. I can invite whoever I want."

Daven studied her expression.

"Then where are we going?"

Rhea started the engine.

"Home. Let's stop by my place for a while. We can figure out where you'll stay later."

Daven lowered his head to hide his smile.

He'd only just returned to Milan, and Rhea was already inviting him into the home she shared with her husband.

He hadn't expected things to go this smoothly.