Love Is as Deep as the Sea, It Is hard to Look Back

Look at how he phrased it, as if I were being unreasonable, like I was tearing apart a pair of lovebirds. I said casually, "You are Keenan Sommers, right? You're overthinking it. It's just thirteen sets of clothes, it's hardly making things difficult." I continued, "Sonya was pampered since childhood. Someone even deboned her chicken for her. It's understandable that she doesn't realize what it means for a woman to give a man clothing. But as her personal assistant, you should be more sensible about these things than she is. Don't you know?" Keenan panicked, lowering his head and apologizing repeatedly. Sonya had always been exceptional, her looks, family background, career and capabilities made her shine like a brilliant star in the first half of her life. Countless men admired her, yet, she always maintained her pride and independence. Those who tried to get close to her were met with nothing but her cold and distant gaze. There were countless nights when she leaned against me, whispering softly. She told me I was the one she treasured most. But now, everything had changed. In her eyes, I saw her tenderness for another man. Sonya shook her head and smiled faintly. She took out a black card from her pocket and handed it to the lead salesperson. Then, she walked to my side unhurriedly, wrapped her arm around my waist and gazed deeply into my eyes. Under the cover of the music, her soft, pleasant voice sounded in my ear, "It's just a piece of clothing. I didn't expect you to care so much. You've scared the poor newcomer. If you get upset, it'll hurt my heart." Her tone was light and playful, as if she were talking about something trivial. She easily shifted the topic away from Keenan. The corners of my mouth curled into a cold smile. My fingers, defined and strong, gently cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer, inch by inch and whispered, "Keenan likes you. Someone as smart as you can't possibly not see it. I know you don't care about this two million, but let today be the first and last time this happens." The surrounding employees thought we were flirting and started cheering and teasing us loudly. At such a close distance, Sonya's face turned red. For the first time, her usual calm and composed expression showed a slight crack. She frowned awkwardly, "Cole, don't do this. What will the subordinates think if they see us like this? Keenan and I will always just be in a boss-assistant relationship. Don't overthink it." I scoffed lightly and released my fingers. Humiliating her was easy, but it wouldn't look good on me either. Getting jealous over some plain and boring boy would only lower my worth. Satisfied with venting my frustration, I decided to let them off for now. After all, I didn't have concrete evidence of their ambiguous relationship. Taking her hand, I led her to the stage to deliver the annual summary of our impressive achievements this year. The branch CEOs' assistants, all sharp and observant, were elated as they flaunted their new suits. They even made sure to parade in front of Keenan. "Thanks to Keenan, we all get to wear such expensive suits, something we might never have done in this lifetime!" "In Mrs. Phoenix's eyes, gifting someone a suit is as casual as giving a child a piece of candy. Surely, Keenan, you wouldn't dare develop improper thoughts toward her over this?" "Those eyes of yours and that tear mole … no wonder Mrs. Phoenix gives you special attention." One by one, their faces were full of ridicule and their words carried warnings. Keenan had probably never been humiliated like this in his entire life. His head sank lower and lower and he was utterly mortified. When the crowd finally dispersed, he fled with red-rimmed eyes. He didn't return for the rest of the gala. After dinner, we tactfully left early, letting the younger employees truly relax and enjoy the night that belonged to them.

I had been drinking, so Sonya drove us home. Sonya was a person with a strong need for control and no one else was allowed to drive her car. The moment I got in, I noticed that the passenger seat, which was mine, had been adjusted. The sun visor even had a few bold childish stickers on its corners. Other than me, no one dared treat Sonya like a chauffeur, let alone have the audacity to sit in the passenger seat. There was no need to guess who did it. An inexplicable fury surged in my chest. Though I didn't want to admit it, I was utterly provoked, to the point that my scalp tingled and I lost my rationality. Even knowing that Sonya gave my suit to Keenan, I had only regretted losing a piece of clothing. But now, he had left traces of himself in my personal space, this was outright provocation. In five years of marriage, this was the angriest I had ever been. I wanted to slap Sonya, kick her out of the car and race over to Keenan to punch him twice. Just as I was about to question her, her phone rang. Sonya seemed completely unaware of my flushed face as she calmly answered Keenan's call. Annoyed, I began adjusting the seat, but I overheard her say, "Alright, don't worry, I'll be right there." I paused, slowly raising my head to look at her. She frowned slightly, "Keenan is at the Dior boutique trying to return that suit. He doesn't have the receipt, so I need to go. Cole, I'll call the driver to pick you up. You should head home first." I spoke in disbelief, "You're ditching me for something so trivial? And I'm drunk, no less." She replied, "Cole, don't make this difficult for me, okay? The boy has a strong sense of pride. After what you pulled, he cried so much his voice is hoarse. He just wants to return the suit now." "Does he have a strong sense of pride, or is he deliberately provoking me in front of you? Can't he come and get the receipt himself?" I asked again. Sonya closed her eyes in exasperation, sighed, then reopened them. Her gaze was icy while said, "Cole, is making things hard for a newcomer really meaningful? When did you learn to bully others with your power? You weren't like this before." My earlier rage instantly extinguished, replaced by a profound sense of disappointment. Suddenly, I found the situation laughable and said, "I bully others with my power? Sonya, you've never defended another man in front of me, not even your father. This is the first time." Her cold face showed a trace of confusion. I said again, "When we got married, we agreed to uphold the reputations of the Cage and Phoenix families. I wouldn't frequent nightclubs and you wouldn't flirt around. Are you breaking the rules for this boy?" Sonya's gaze remained calm and resolute. After a long silence, she finally dialed the family driver. Then, she leaned over to unbuckle my seatbelt, speaking in an even tone, "Cole, you're always so sharp and overbearing. We're a married couple, not just strategic partners. Stop trying to control me like you do your work, it suffocates me." "Once I'm done handling Keenan's matter, I'll stay at the Cage Family house for the night. We both need some time to cool down," she said. So that's how it was. She couldn't wait to find ease and pleasure in another man. Yet, she used to say she admired my decisiveness and boldness in the face of challenges. Now she was tired of it, disgusted by it. Why bother finding such high-sounding excuses and pinning the blame on me? I sensibly got out of the car and watched as the red Porsche disappeared from view. I had given her a chance, but she didn't cherish it. Taking out my phone, I called my closest friend, "Hector, draft me a divorce agreement."

Unless absolutely necessary, I didn't want to bring up divorce with Sonya. The Cage and Phoenix families had been close for generations and Sonya and I had grown up as childhood friends. However, she later went abroad to study and for about ten years, we had no contact. We reunited at a banquet where our families were planning a marriage alliance. She was just as poised and beautiful as in her youth, handling questions from the elders effortlessly. Over the years, while I managed the family business, I also frequented nightclubs to relieve stress. I had assumed that after so long apart, things between us would feel awkward and distant. Yet, when we were alone, beneath her graceful and composed exterior, I discovered a witty and charming side of her. That youthful sense of familiarity resurfaced instantly. We were both in the prime of our careers and admired each other. Before long, we were engaged and soon entered the institution of marriage. After our marriage, we became mutual shareholders, resulting in an unprecedented merger between the Cage and Phoenix Groups. Dividing assets after a divorce would be an incredibly complicated matter. When I got home, my head was spinning. After washing up, I drank a cup of warm milk and prepared to sleep. A goodnight message from Sonya popped up on my phone, complete with a cute kissing emoji. Even during a cold war, she never neglected her responsibilities. The next morning, on my way to work, I was nearly knocked over by a girl with dyed blue hair in front of the office building. My Stefano Ricci briefcase hit the ground, scraping off a piece of its leather. The girl's breakfast coffee arced through the air, splashing onto the hem of my coat. The two security guards at the door immediately ran over, shouting at the girl for being careless. The girl, startled, panicked as she picked up my briefcase and handed it back to me. She pulled out tissues to wipe the stain off my coat. Seeing the stain wouldn't come off, she grew desperate and knelt down to beg for forgiveness. It was the dead of winter, yet she was wearing only a thin jacket. She wore sunglasses, but they didn't fully cover the dark bruises under her eyes. Ignoring the stain on my coat, I frowned and focused on the damaged leather of my briefcase. Just then, I noticed Sonya standing across the street. Her office building was just a block away from mine. She stood there quietly, her expression cold and severe. For the first time, I saw disgust in her eyes. Perhaps, in her view, my aloof demeanor was another example of abusing power. I didn't bother to correct her misunderstanding. Stepping back, I stopped the approaching guards and pulled the girl up by her arm and said, "I don't know what hardships you're facing, but as a girl, you must take care of yourself. No matter what you lose, don't lose your dignity, it's the one thing that belongs only to you." The girl hastily gathered the garbage on the ground, apologizing and thanking me repeatedly. Then, flustered, she ran off. At the corner of the office building, she suddenly turned back, a subtle and enigmatic smile tugging at her lips. Back at my office, I sat at my desk, staring at the damaged briefcase. The scuff wasn't significant, barely noticeable unless you looked closely. But once a flaw appears, perfection is gone forever. Because the bag was valuable, even such a tiny imperfection would make repair nearly impossible. What was even harder to repair, though, was my relationship with Sonya. Her gaze that morning felt like a thorn lodged in my chest. Lunch at my office had always been delivered from the Cage Family's private kitchen. To assert her status as Mrs. Phoenix and keep the women at my company at bay, Sonya had suggested joining me for lunch at the office.

By 1 PM today, I thought Sonya wouldn't come. I had just opened my lunchbox when she arrived, with Keenan trailing behind. His eyes were red and swollen, his head hung low and he looked both respectful and pitiful. I set down my cutleries and silently observed them. Sonya sat beside me, letting out a sighed, "Because of what happened last night, Keenan is being targeted and excluded everywhere in the company." Without lifting my eyes, I picked up a spoon and ladled soup for her. I asked, "What's the problem? A man who's the personal assistant to the CEO can't even handle something so minor?" "I'm asking you to manage your people and stop making things difficult for him, he's new!" said Sonya. By an unspoken rule of corporate alliances, each of us had planted our own people within the other's company. Sonya was implying that my people were deliberately retaliating against Keenan to stand up for me. Last night's annual gala had been a joint event between the two companies, with almost all employees present. Where there are crowds, there are politics. It was inevitable that Keenan's actions would spark gossip. I placed the soup bowl in front of her and said, "First, I didn't instruct anyone to target or exclude your assistant. You know that's not my style or method. Second, the trouble he's facing today is a result of his own lack of boundaries and awareness." I continued to explained, "Sonya, you still don't understand human nature well enough. Your special tolerance and indulgence toward him will only make him more enemies over time. The ones who'll hurt him are never going to be me." Keenan, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward and spoke urgently, "This has nothing to do with Sonya. Mr. Phoenix, what happened yesterday was indeed my poor judgment. It was my first time receiving such an expensive gift and I got carried away with excitement. I offended you and I sincerely apologize." I paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Sonya, your assistant is quite amusing. He doesn't seem to understand human language, but he's quick to defend you." I didn't accept Keenan's insincere apology, nor did I intervene to stop my people from targeting him. Keenan's grievances and tears struck a nerve with Sonya. For the first time, she lost her temper at me. She smashed the soup bowl at my feet and demanded that I apologize to Keenan. I had done nothing wrong, why should I apologize? That day, Sonya and I parted on bad terms. By the afternoon, she had left for a business trip with Keenan, getting both of them out of the toxic environment. That evening, I went drinking with my buddy, Hector Bass. He scolded me for being too calculating and said it only triggered Sonya's protective instincts toward Keenan. Ridiculous, haven't there been enough beautiful women around me? For thirty years, I've remained steadfast in my principles. Why can't Sonya do the same? At the end of the day, it all boils down to this, she no longer loves me. I don't care for things that aren't truly mine. Hector smirked and said, "Today, I specifically went to the Cage Group to catch a glimpse of this assistant. Wow, at first glance, doesn't he look like a life-sized Cole Phoenix figurine?" "Especially his eyes and the tear mole, don't they look too much like yours? I really don't get what's going on in Sonya's head. Why not worship the original and instead pamper a counterfeit? Does she love you, or does she not?" he continued. Hector's words jolted me out of my drunken stupor. No wonder I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity when I first met Keenan. I let out a mocking laugh, "Who knows? Maybe the counterfeit is gentler, more understanding and more considerate," I sneered. By the time I returned home, I had a splitting headache. Hector was the one who helped me back. "The divorce agreement is ready. When are you planning to tell Sonya?" he asked. I answered, "Mid-month. She'll definitely come back to have dinner with her grandfather then." Every month, we make it a point to visit the Cage Family estate for a simple meal with the elder generations.

Divorcing Sonya was no small matter. I needed to use this time to secure every possible fallback for myself. During this period, Keenan hadn't been idle either. His social media feed got updated several times a day. Breakfast with the female CEO, late-night overtime together, standing atop the city's grandest skyscraper overlooking the earth. First experiences of skydiving, exploring the depths of the ocean and witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the aurora. This business trip gave him experiences and joys he could never have dreamed of achieving in his lifetime. His excitement is overflowing, barely contained in his posts. Once, it was me who accompanied Sonya on all these adventures. Now, my colleagues look at me with a mix of caution and sympathy in their eyes. Sonya has clearly allowed Keenan to flaunt their time together in this way just to disgust me. It's a ruthless and calculated move, one that cuts straight to the heart. Lately, Hector has practically moved in with me, helping me and the legal team to manage the division of assets with Sonya. One day, he barged into my office in a rage, clutching an envelope, "Cole, Sonya has gone too far this time!" I was signing a business document and looked up at his outburst, noticing his face flushed with anger, "What's wrong? She's back?" Hector slapped the envelope onto my desk. A memory card and a few photos slid out, it was pictures of Sonya and Keenan lying together in a hotel's couple suite. Keenan was shirtless, his chest adorned with conspicuous red marks. The ambiguous traces were glaringly obscene. Hector said angrily, "She hasn't come back yet, but her scandalous photos have arrived first!" My shoulders, initially upright, gradually slumped. A suffocating weight tightened around my chest, sending waves of pain through my heart. With trembling fingers, I picked up the memory card and inserted it into my backup computer. At dusk, on the rooftop balcony of a hotel, Sonya stood on tiptoe, cupping Keenan's face with both hands, gazing at him with near-obsessive affection. Behind them, the sunset painted the sky in a deep orange hue. The evening glow spread like a woven tapestry, framing the lovers in an image so picturesque it seemed like an exquisite painting unfurling across the heavens. As their lips drew closer, I snapped the laptop shut. Even my voice betrayed a tremor as I asked, "Who sent this?" "It came by courier. The receptionist signed for it," Hector said. I took a deep, measured breath and slowly exhaled. Carefully, I gathered the photos, placed them back into the envelope and locked them in a drawer before regaining my composure and said, "Keep this matter quiet. Find out who sent the package." Hector said, "Who else could it be? It must be that shameless Keenan, driven mad with ambition to climb the ranks!" The video's angle resembled that of a candid shot rather than something staged. But it didn't matter. What mattered was that Sonya had truly soiled herself this time. Tomorrow is mid-month and these filthy people and their affairs should finally come to an end. The next day, Sonya returned to the company. During the morning meeting, she made a public display of authority, using a severe example to establish control. She fired three employees who had earlier ridiculed Keenan the most, two of whom were my people. I wasn't surprised by her blatant defense of Keenan. After all, they now shared the same bed. What did surprise me was that she brought Keenan to the family dinner that evening. Taking advantage of the business trip, Keenan had prepared numerous gifts for my mother-in-law, health supplements tailored to her preferences. His efforts were well-received and she was delighted. When I arrived, my mother-in-law held my hand, chatting about trivial matters while instructing someone to call my father-in-law and Sonya, who were talking in the study, so the dinner could begin. When Sonya entered the dining room, she glanced at me once before quickly averting her eyes. Keenan followed behind her and boldly sat down in the seat next to her, my usual seat. Sonya froze for a moment but didn't object. How ironic. We're still legally married, still husband and wife.

She brought her male assistant everywhere and now she's brought him to the family home, occupying the spot that rightfully belonged to me. This was undoubtedly a slap in my face. Keenan's smug expression was written all over his face, a look of triumph he couldn't even be bothered to hide. I found the absurdity of the scene amusing and I chuckled. My mother-in-law gently patted the seat beside her, smiling warmly, "Come, sit here. Tonight, we made all your favorite seafood dishes. You must try some, it's delicious." She's my late mother's best friend and has always treated me kindly. But as I thought about the words I was about to say, a pang of sourness rose in my heart. Still, I had no other choice. Enduring silently has never been my way. I held her hand in return and patted the back of it and said, "Mom, I won't be staying for dinner tonight. I'm here because I have something very important to say." Her smile froze on her face, "Can't it wait until after dinner?" I shook my head and turned toward Sonya. Finally, I spoke the words that had been bottled up for days, "Dad, Mom, I want a divorce from Sonya." As soon as the words left my mouth, the entire dining room fell silent. Even the enticing aroma of the seafood in the air suddenly felt heavy and oppressive. My father-in-law looked at me in disbelief, "Cole, divorce isn't something to take lightly. Especially for you and Sonya, there are too many implications." "That's right, Cole. Haven't you two always been happy together? What's the real reason?" my mother-in-law chimed in. Sonya, who had been sitting with a cold expression, slammed the table and stood up. For the first time, there was emotion in her icy demeanor, "Cole, haven't you caused enough trouble? All of this just because I gave Keenan a suit? Now you're making it into such a big deal, even talking about divorce? Have you reflected on your own actions even a little during all this time?" My father-in-law slammed the table with a loud bang, "You shut up! Cole, continue." I continued, "Sonya, I had planned to leave you some dignity. But since you don't want it, don't blame me for being blunt." I tossed the stack of photos and the USB drive onto the table, "Dad, Mom, you can see for yourselves." Sonya snatched up the photos and her face instantly turned ashen. Her trembling hands let the photos slip, scattering them onto the floor. Among the scattered images were explicit scenes of her and Keenan on a bed. My mother-in-law picked up one of the photos with trembling hands, her eyes reddening with unshed tears, "Sonya … what … what is this?" My father-in-law's brows furrowed deeply, his sharp gaze fixed on Sonya, waiting for her explanation. Sonya's forehead veins bulged, her eyes brimming with anger. "Cole!" she yelled, "I've loved and respected you all these years and now you're fabricating fake photos to accuse me? Is this how little our years together mean to you? Do you really want to divorce me so badly?" I scoffed in exasperation, "Accuse you? Faking photos? Photos can be forged, sure. But the USB drive also contains a video. Want to check that too? I, Cole Phoenix, have lived my life with integrity. Even if I wanted a divorce, I'd never stoop to such underhanded tactics!" My father-in-law's face grew tense with anger. He slammed the table again, making the dishes rattle loudly, "Sonya, you owe us a proper explanation!" "Dad, don't you know me by now?" she cried out. "Sure, Cole and I have had our differences, but I'd never do anything to betray him!" Sonya suddenly seemed to have thought of something. She turned toward Keenan, who was cowering in his seat. Pointing at the scattered photos on the floor, her gaze turned fierce as she growled through clenched teeth, "What's going on with these photos? We didn't do anything, how could photos like this exist?" Keenan's face turned ghostly pale, his body trembling as he stood up shakily.