A Love That Will Never Be

Ever since Carter had considered a divorce, he had counted his assets and drafted a divorce agreement. After that, he started to work on the business dealings between their family businesses.

Carter was the leader of the Flanagan Group, while Misty was the daughter of the Lawrence family, who ran the Lawrence Group. After their eight years of marriage, the two family businesses were tightly intertwined.

If Carter asked for a divorce, it would negatively hurt the stock prices and the ongoing partnerships. Hence, he needed to be one step ahead and prepare to face any future risks.

Besides, he also needed to inform Misty's parents about his plan. He wouldn't want both families to be blindsided.

After Misty argued with Carter over that broken bowl, she brought the newly repaired bowl to her best friend's home. Meanwhile, Misty parents were in the dark about the situation until Carter knocked on their door.

Misty's mom, Kathy Mendel, was shocked to hear that Carter was considering a divorce. "Carter, have you thought over it?"

"I want to give my marriage one last try. If Misty and I still can't push through…" He flashed a heavy smile. "...That only shows we're not meant to be."

Kathy, who was well aware of Misty's trauma, looked apologetic. She couldn't come up with any good advice and let out a deep sigh. "Gosh, Misty is such a…"

After Carter left, Leslie Lawrence and Kathy called their daughter home. That was when Misty figured out the meaning behind Carter's "eight chances".

Yet, she did not take it seriously. She even questioned incredulously, "Did Carter say he's thinking of divorce? That's impossible. He loves me too much to go through with it."

Carter's love was like Misty's love for Zach; they would give up their lives for their lover.

Therefore, she didn't think Carter would have the heart to give up on her.

Anyway, Misty admitted she had crossed a line last time. It took her a while to realize it was Carter's birthday on that day.

Feeling guilty, she ordered a mini cake online and made a lunch box in the kitchen. After picking out a necktie from a mall, she gathered all the gifts and showed up at the Flanagan Group office.

Carter returned to his office from a meeting and found his wife, who had previously left home in a fit of anger, dozing off before the table out of boredom.

When Misty heard the noises, she looked up, and her eyes lit up. "Darling, you're back!"

She jogged over, held his hand, and blabbered, "I'm sorry, darling. I was too harsh on you that day. You know I always lose my cool over anything that's related to Zach."

Tugging at his sleeve, she cooed, "I was wrong. Please forgive me."

Whenever Misty begged for forgiveness, she would stare at him like a guilty child with rosy cheeks. His anger would subside whenever she gave him that look.

Putting aside Misty's response to anything Zach-related, she was a dutiful wife to Carter. She'd cook for Carter, buy him gifts, accompany him on business trips, and occasionally plan small surprises for him.

Carter was glad that Misty never hid their marriage even though she was still in love with Zach. That was the reason he decided to hang on for a little more after eight long years.

Sighing, he pulled Misty closer. "I need a plus-one for a charity cocktail party next week. Will you go with me?"

Eager to make him happy, she agreed to everything he asked of her. "Sounds good!"

On the day of the charity cocktail party, Misty waited for the driver at home in her haute couture dress. Carter was still at work and would meet her at the entrance of the party venue later.

At 5:00 pm, Misty received a call from an unknown number.

"Misty, this is Zeke! I've landed in Weston City. Can you pick me up from the airport?"

Shocked and excited to hear Zeke's name, she gasped, "Zeke, it's you! Just wait. I'll be there soon."

She happily rushed to the airport, utterly forgetting about her promise to Carter.

"Mr. Flanagan, Mrs. Flanagan has just picked up a man from the airport. They're headed to a hotel right now."

Carter stood alone at the fringe of the party crowd and stared blankly at the photo his driver had just sent him.

Misty, who had promised to meet him at the party, had stood him up. In the photo, she was hugging a young man at the airport, whom Carter quickly recognized as Zach's younger brother, Zeke.

This was about Zach again. Carter realized he could never win against Misty's dead lover. He would always be second to the people around Zach or anything remotely related to Zach.

A bitter sensation spread through his body. Suddenly, he felt like a joke for still clinging to hopes about Misty.

It was foolish of him to expect that she'd fall in love with him after eight years of futile attempts.

Still, Carter wanted to stick to his promise of eight chances.

With a vacant expression, he texted Misty, "There goes your second chance."