Waking Up Before It's Too Late

Tristan's POV

"It's already the fifth time Ms. Fowler has asked to meet and talk things over this week. Do you still refuse to meet her, Tristan?" Delilah asked.

I accepted the glass of warm water from Delilah and swallowed the pills in one gulp.

"Why would I meet her? Do I have to watch her size me up like she's evaluating a financial report or listen to her 'analyze' our bullshit marriage in the tone of a project summary?

"Do I then have to cooperate with her by waiting for her to condescendingly 'handle' our divorce agreement? Willa's AI-like, business-only attitude sickens me to the core.

"I won't subject myself to that kind of insult again, Delilah."

I set the glass aside, took a deep breath, and continued, "In any case, I can't skip the cocktail party happening on Friday. I'll sign the divorce agreement, end the relationship, and finish it all in one go.

"We'll have nothing more to do with one another from then on. In the end, Willa can go back to being the CEO of her company, and I'll be the CEO of my own company."

I began to feel drowsy as the sunlight bathed me in warmth.

I took a bank card out of my bag just as Delilah was about to close the door and said, "I have five million dollars here—no PIN is needed."

Delilah was momentarily stunned as she looked at the closed door. She chuckled softly and whispered to herself, "You're actually really treating me like a sugar baby, huh?"

…

It was finally the day of the cocktail party, and the banquet hall was thick with the mingling scents of champagne and perfume.

It was my first appearance after the divorce announcement, so I held a glass of champagne and chatted briefly with various long-time family acquaintances and elders from my social circle.

Willa made her way through the crowd and came up directly to me. She spoke in a gentler tone than usual, saying, "I'd like to have a word with you, Tristan."

I lifted my gaze, noting that the roles were now reversed—I was now the one scrutinizing her like a mere commodity. "Is something the matter, Ms. Fowler?"

Willa appeared taken aback by my formal address. She fell silent for a moment before Taylor, who was behind her, passed her a velvet box.

She handed me the box containing the latest watch from Shely and said, "I've been neglecting you before this, Tristan."

She spoke awkwardly, obviously out of her element when it came to apologies or asking for a second chance. "I've prepared this gift for you. As for the divorce, maybe we could reconsider…"

I observed Willa, unable to tell what was going on in her mind. I mused that perhaps she didn't want to lose such an ideal "marriage partner" for the sake of her business empire.

I was definitely getting a divorce, but from the perspective of business cooperation, even with a divorce, there was no need to make things too tense.

I simply thought that there was no reason to let my grudge against her interfere with financial interests.

I was in the midst of my hesitation when a crisp voice broke through—filled with just the right amount of shock and familiarity. "I didn't realize this watch was intended for Tristan, Willa. If I had known, I would have let Tristan choose first."

Simon approached in his wheelchair, looking at the watch with a mix of longing and coquettishness. He was already wearing a different piece from the same collection.

"I mentioned recently that the design was too understated for my taste, but looking at it now, I find that it's actually quite lovely. I'm actually quite reluctant to let it go now."

He reached out and lightly tugged at Willa's sleeve while saying that.

Willa furrowed her brow slightly. She glanced at me, then at Simon in his wheelchair.

She said in her usual matter-of-fact tone, as if she were coordinating a trivial matter, "It seems like Simon wants this watch, Tristan.

"I have an ongoing cooperation with Jensen Group, so you should let him have it first. I'll have Taylor get you another one in whatever style you prefer—"

I sneered in response, though my expression remained calm. "I appreciate the thought, but I'm not in the habit of fighting for leftovers that someone else didn't want, Ms. Fowler."

I cast a pointed glance at Willa, my tone dismissive and haughty while adding, "It also makes no sense to take back a gift that has been given, Ms. Fowler. How could you not know such basic rules after being in the business world for so long?

"You're clearly trying to humiliate me, so I don't think we have anything more to talk about, Ms. Fowler."

I deliberately raised my voice so that everyone present could hear me clearly. "I'll be notifying my lawyer to choose a good day to officially file for the divorce, Ms. Fowler."

I "accidentally" let go of the champagne glass in my hand, causing it to shatter at Willa's feet with a sharp crack and splattering her with the drink.

"I'm sorry. I lost my grip. It's difficult to keep a steady hand when faced with someone so nauseating, after all."