Chapter 4 The Breaking Point

The moment Jordan stepped through the front doors of the Bennett estate, the atmosphere hit him like a cold slap. The silence was loud, too loud.

Something felt off.

Then he saw her.

Zoe stood in the middle of the sitting room, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, eyes cold and unreadable.

Beside her, just by the side of the marble centre table, stood David - a man Jordan had only seen once at the company office, about a month ago. That day, he'd walked past a glass-walled conference room and seen Zoe and this same man laughing together. Their heads leaned close, like people who shared secrets.

He had assumed the man was a business partner.

Now he knew better.

Zoe didn't say a word. She simply picked up a brown file and tossed it onto the table in front of Jordan. The sound echoed through the quiet room.

He stared at the file for a few seconds. Then, slowly, he bent down and opened it.

His hands stilled.

They were divorce papers.

"I want it signed," Zoe said coldly. "Now."

Jordan lifted his eyes to her face. Her expression didn't flinch. No sadness. No hesitation. Just icy resolve.

David scoffed from where he stood and let out a quiet laugh. "You heard her, man. Or do you need someone to help you read it line by line?"

Jordan's jaw tightened. "Stay out of this, young man." He said sternly before returning to Zoe.

Zoe was taken aback at the sudden outburst from Jordan. She didn't expect him to be this outspoken. What suddenly changed?

This was the woman he had been married to. This was the person Ezra Bennett had asked him to care for. This was the life he had accepted out of gratitude, even when it meant shrinking himself to fit into a marriage that never had love.

Now, it made sense.

David was the man she wanted.

To her, he had only been a stepping stone. A sacrifice for inheritance. Nothing more.

Esther stood just a few steps away by the staircase, her arms folded as well. Her eyes were filled with something between triumph and irritation.

"What are you waiting for?" she snapped. "Sign the papers and get out of our lives. Or do you want me to remind you again that you were nothing before Ezra brought you in?"

Jordan stared back at Zoe. "Is this what you really want?"

Zoe scoffed, feeling more irritated by the sound of his voice and even the sight of him. "Are you blind, Jordan?" She asked, her voice venomous. "Can't you see there is nothing connecting both of us? Please, sign the goddamn papers!"

Jordan's hands trembled slightly as he picked up the pen.

He stared at the papers one last time. Then again, he looked at Zoe-his supposed wife.

She didn't even blink.

He gave a small nod to himself, the kind that comes when you finally accept the truth.

With one heavy sigh, Jordan leaned forward and signed.

He didn't say a word. He simply stood up, walked to his room, and began packing his things.

He didn't leave the estate completely. Not yet. He moved to the guest house at the back, waiting for the right moment to inform Ezra before walking away for good.

******************************

The next morning came with no warmth.

Esther was up early, pacing the corridor in her satin robe, cup of tea in hand. She spotted Jordan walking across the garden and called him immediately.

"So you're still here?" she said with a mocking laugh. "I thought you would crawl away in shame by now."

Jordan said nothing. He kept walking.

"Listen," she added sharply, "go and clean my room. I dropped clothes everywhere last night. Make sure you scrub the bathroom well, and don't touch any of my perfumes with those your cheap hands. If you like, delay. You'll sleep without food today."

Jordan stopped.

He turned slowly to face her. His eyes were no longer tired. No longer pleading.

They were clear.

"I'm not cleaning anything," he said calmly.

Esther raised her brows. "Excuse me?"

"I'll be leaving this estate soon," Jordan continued, his tone still steady. "But not until I tell your husband what you and your daughter did behind his back. After that, I'm done. Until then, I'm not your servant. Don't ever order me around again."

Esther's mouth dropped slightly. Shock crossed her face. This was the first time Jordan had ever talked back at her. And with such boldness.

"You-you dare talk to me like that?" she stammered. "You, of all people?"

Out of rage, she raised her hand, ready to strike his face.

But before the slap could land, Jordan's hand shot up and caught her wrist in mid-air.

Her eyes widened.

"I'm no longer your son-in-law, woman," Jordan said, his voice low and serious. "You don't have the right to raise your hand on me anymore."

Esther stood frozen, wrist still in his grip, struggling to speak.

Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the compound reached their ears.

They both turned.

Ezra's car had entered the estate.

Esther quickly pulled her hand back, her face changing like a switch had flipped. She straightened her robe, smoothed her hair and forced a smile, pretending like nothing had just happened.