Chapter 13

The grin on Winter's face vanished instantly as she clenched the gold nameplate in her hand, wanting to chuck it out of the window and replace it with Aiden's name. 

Sebastian chuckled at Winter's expression. "What's wrong? Are you upset because you know I'll still be CEO even if we get a divorce?"

"In fact, I think it'll be far easier for me to control this company completely if we are separated because the court will probably favor me to own Goldmine Realty and give you the rest of Aiden's assets," Sebastian said. "After all, what would an ignorant woman do with a giant company that needs constant surveillance and solid leadership?"

Winter hated that Sebastian knew the most likely scenario if they brought this to court.

Sebastian raised his chin arrogantly, satisfied to have finally shut her up. But deep down, he was relieved that Winter wasn't too emotional to divorce him immediately since it would give him half of her wealth.

He didn't want a divorce, nor did he want any of Aiden's assets.

What he truly wanted was to mend his mistake and, if possible, reconcile with his wife, and a divorce would nullify all of his hope immediately. 

'I'm so glad we didn't have a prenup. So, we're stuck together in this marriage,' Sebastian thought. He tried to maintain his arrogant attitude and asked, "So, what are you doing here? And what's with that black dress? This is not a funeral home."

"Because a widow will wear a black dress when she is grieving for her dead husband," Winter said while putting Sebastian's nameplate on the desk. She clasped her hands together to curb her nervousness in front of Sebastian. "And I am that grieving widow."

Sebastian gritted his teeth. He knew what this conversation led to but couldn't help but retort, "That's so stupid. Aiden died a year ago, and you have me now. There's nothing to grieve about."

"Are you really my husband, or are you just a stand-in to manage his wealth?" Winter's question pierced Sebastian's heart like a knife. "I've never thought of you as my husband, Sebastian Saenz. I didn't contact my lawyer immediately because half of my late husband's wealth is stuck with you."

"So how long do you plan to wear that black dress?"

"Forever," Winter replied calmly. "Because my heart will eternally mourn for a good man who loved me wholeheartedly."

Sebastian's body trembled as he felt weak after such a hurtful statement coming from his wife's mouth. But he didn't want to show any weakness in front of Winter. Knowing that Winter would exploit any trace of weakness, he had to find grounds for an uncontested divorce. 

Thus, he took a deep breath to collect himself and said,

"Look, I don't give a damn about you. You can grieve his death all you want, but your actions can tarnish my reputation." Sebastian pointed at the nameplate on the desk. "See that nameplate you picked up just now? It has my name on it. Hate it or love it, I am the CEO, and your actions will give me a bad name."

Winter knew that Sebastian was very vain. He cared the most about his good image. 

If Sebastian's employees and colleagues saw his wife wearing mourning attire every day, they'd start raising questions or gossiping behind his back, which would only give him a headache. 

"Then you need to get used to their gossip," Winter said. "Because I'm going to wear black and visit the office every working day."

Sebastian's eyes widened. "Are you so fucking bored that you've decide to torment me every single day?!"

"Stop acting like you're the center of the universe, Sebastian. I don't come to the office just to visit you. I'm going to show up every day because I don't want the employees to forget who the real owner of Goldmine Realty is," Winter said. "If I keep myself holed up in the penthouse or mansion, everyone will start forgetting about my existence, and they'll think you are the owner."

"Besides, I know that you've been planning to replace all the old employees with new ones to erase my identity completely," Winter accused.

Sebastian gulped. 

What Winter said was true. 

Camilla's plan was to gradually replace the employees until nobody in this company remembered Aiden or Winter.

But that was still a plan. Camilla would start pushing Sebastian to do it about two months from now. 

"Well, I think I've talked with you enough for today," Winter said, striding towards Sebastian with sure steps, as if nothing would scare her anymore. She stood in front of him, locking eyes with him, her ocean eyes filled with hostility, "I'm not going to disturb your work today. Please work well since you're my employee, Sebastian Saenz."

Winter sidestepped Sebastian again as she wanted to walk out of the office.

But Sebastian suddenly grabbed her wrist and asked, "Why are you doing this to me, Winter? I haven't done anything wrong to you, have I?"

Of course, Sebastian was feigning ignorance. He knew damn well all the sins that he had committed in his previous life. 

But in this life, Winter didn't know that he was the same Sebastian Saenz that pushed her to her death, so he still had a chance to be loved by his wife. 

Winter avoided meeting his gaze, knowing that Sebastian was attempting to win her heart once more.

Even if this version of Sebastian hadn't done anything crazy towards her yet, she knew he'd do it sooner or later because she couldn't change Sebastian's personality unless something terrible happened. 

"I admit that it might be too fast for us to marry, and maybe my love for you isn't as deep as it should be. But have I ever hurt you?"