The Wife He Couldn’t Bring Home Chapter 05
For the banquet celebrating Paige’s appointment as the executive director of the foundation, Cole booked the ballroom of the oldest hotel in the city.
The crystal chandeliers were blindingly bright, and a live band was playing. Cole personally took the stage to announce her appointment, and the room erupted in thunderous applause.
Paige smiled brightly, holding onto his arm. Her gaze swept over the audience—it was filled with top executives of the group, friends, and elders of the Mercer family. This kind of pageantry had previously belonged only to Maya.
After a few rounds of drinks, an old friend of Cole’s had a bit too much. He patted Cole on the shoulder and said, “Cole, your divorce is already being processed. When are we celebrating wedding number two?”
Paige’s heart raced. She gripped her wine glass tightly and looked at Cole with eyes full of expectation.
Cole frowned and brushed the hand away. “Drink your wine.”
“Don’t play dumb,” another person leaned in. “Things with Maya are completely over. Paige has been with you for so long, shouldn’t you give her an official title?”
Paige leaned into Cole’s embrace, her voice soft. “Cole, I’m not in a rush. As long as I can stay by your side…”
Cole looked down at her, his gaze devoid of warmth.
He set his wine glass on the table. His voice wasn’t loud, but it silenced the entire table.
“The divorce is between Maya and me. It has nothing to do with her. I just initiated the divorce proceedings first. Once Paige is secure in this position, I will withdraw the application and bring Maya back.”
Paige’s smile stiffened on her face.
“You… you still want her back?”
“Yeah. The child can’t grow up without a mother. Maya is the one and only Mrs. Mercer.”
The people around them looked at each other in dismay. The color drained from Paige’s face inch by inch. She gripped his sleeve, her voice trembling. “Then… what am I to you?”
Cole frowned, a hint of impatience in his eyes. “Paige, you should know your place.”
“My place?” Paige stood up abruptly, knocking over her glass and spilling red wine all over the table. “Cole, I was pregnant with your child! I even lost my baby for you! You let me hold your arm at every banquet, telling everyone that I’m your woman, and now you’re telling me to know my place? You’re going to bring her back? Then what am I?”Â