The Fixer's Resignation Chapter 1

In the tenth year of my secret marriage, I handled the ninety-ninth girlfriend for him.

The one-hundredth was me.

When I decided to divorce, I handed the signed papers to Julian Sterling.

He paused, then smirked.

"Nora, even you use this trick to get my attention? We are different from the others."

Ten years.

He had said that too many times.

Until three days ago, when I dealt with his ninety-ninth fling.

She didn't look at the contract. Instead, she looked at me with pity.

"I didn't expect the person by his side to still be you after all these years."

"If he really loved you, how could he let you clean up his mess time and time again? Mrs. Sterling, you're not a wife. You're a glorified fixer."

My heart clenched.

At that moment, I realized this was a decade-long scam.

Just as Julian threw a lavish gala to finally introduce me as his wife...

He received my divorce papers.

Julian, we will never meet again in this life.

* * *

When Julian walked into the walk-in closet, he naturally stood beside me in front of the mirror.

"Nora, this one is tricky."

His voice was low as he adjusted my shawl.

"You have to meet her personally."

I looked at his confident reflection and said nothing.

This scenario had repeated countless times over ten years. Every time, I handled it to his satisfaction.

I thought this time would be no exception.

But when I saw the girl, I understood what "tricky" meant.

She was different.

A Chanel suit hugged her curves. A diamond ring sparkled on her finger.

She smiled and pushed a cup of Blue Mountain coffee toward me—my usual order.

"Miss Nora, ten years, and you're still cleaning up his mess."

She wasn't like Julian's previous women. She knew exactly why I was there.

She didn't cry or scream about not being able to live without him.

I composed myself, sat opposite her, and put on my professional face.

"I won't beat around the bush. Leave Julian Sterling. Name your price."

"Shares, jewelry, or that castle in Europe..."

She laughed suddenly, saying something completely unexpected.

"I don't want anything."

I looked at her firm eyes and smiled.

"Julian doesn't love you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be seeing me. I'm the one he calls to get rid of you."

She smiled elegantly.

"Do you think no one but you can enter his heart?"

"That's why none of his women stay as long as you."

My knuckles turned white. Suddenly, I felt exhausted.

"Is staying by his side a good thing?"

I had asked myself this question too many times.

I looked out the window, remembering the first time I caught Julian cheating.

I smashed every porcelain vase in his study.

Amidst the shards, I cried and asked him why.

Julian flicked the ash from his cigarette, calm as ever.

"Nora, you are the legitimate Mrs. Sterling. How many people beg for this title?"

"Since you sit in this seat, you should know your place."

He spoke like he was teaching a child.

"Don't act like those cheap women, throwing tantrums in front of me."

The light in my eyes went out.

We were different.

They only needed to sign a breakup contract. I needed to sign divorce papers.

From that day on, I knew he chose to marry me secretly because I was sensible. Because I could handle the private matters he didn't want to face.

I couldn't delude myself into thinking I was special just because I stayed longer.

I pushed the document forward, business as usual.

"Sign it. It's better for everyone."

She signed quickly and pushed the blank check back to me, pity in her eyes.

"Keep it. But remember, even if I sign, one day, Julian will make you bring me back personally."

She stood up, her skirt swaying.

"Don't believe me? Wait and see."

I looked at her name.

Nia.

So we were both named similarly to Nora.

No wonder she looked familiar. She looked like me at twenty. The me who loved Julian with all my heart.

A familiar black SUV pulled up outside. Julian was here.

But this time, I didn't rush out.

I took another document from my bag and slowly signed my name.

It was printed on the same paper, from the same printer as the ninety-nine breakup contracts before.

Only this time, I wasn't asking a young girl to sign.

I signed it myself.

Julian, I don't want to be your fixer anymore.