My Grandmother’s Ashes, My Wife's Divorce Paper novel Chapter 5

I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back the pain, but Robert spoke up first.

"Noah's always calm, but Lucas must have had some reason for refusing his superior's instructions."

"You don't need to speak for him."

"The company has rules."

"It's not like they're withholding pay, so why wouldn't he follow the orders?"

Ava's gaze was as cold as ice.

"I think he's just trying to mess with the work environment."

I wanted to laugh, but the pain made me grit my teeth.

"Noah, you're right. Consider this my official resignation."

At that, Ava's face turned ugly.

Robert, ever the moral manipulator, stepped in.

"Lucas, it's not worth resigning over something so small."

"Noah's just looking out for you. He wants a peaceful work environment."

"Take my advice—stick it out. It'll blow over."

"You've been with the company for seven years."

"They'll appreciate your hard work, even if you don't have the title to show for it."

He pretended to reach for me.

The mere sight of him made me want to puke, so I shoved him away.

It wasn't a hard push, but somehow, he fell to the ground dramatically, rolling and bumping his head on the edge of the desk.

Ava rushed to him like a protective mother, checking his head and brushing his hair away.

"Robert, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?"

"I'm fine… just a little dizzy."

Robert faked it, clearly enjoying the attention, but he shot me a challenging look.

"Lucas, that was over the top. I was just trying to talk to you."

"We're colleagues. How could you get physical?"

Ava glared at me, her anger so intense it looked like she was about to explode.

"Lucas, apologize right now!"

We'd been married for seven years, but I'd never seen her this angry."

"It was like an erupting volcano.

I stood up, brushed the dust off, and shot them a cold glance before limping out the door, clutching my old injury.

Apologize to these hypocrites? Yeah, dream on.

Noah, the loyal company man, saw his chance.

He shouted as he blocked my path.

Before she could say anything, a massive fist slammed into my back.

"You little punk, you've been asking for this!"

Each punch landed right where my old injuries were.

I felt like a thousand needles were stabbing me.

The stitches holding me together were coming apart.

The pain was so intense, it felt like I couldn't breathe, and I bent forward, my back arching.

"Playing the victim?"

Noah was ready to keep going.

Ava seemed to have a sudden realization and screamed for him to stop.

Noah was annoyed and pointed at me.

"Cousin, don't let Lucas fool you. He's the one acting."

"I barely touched him. He's pretending."

The moment he finished speaking, I couldn't hold myself up anymore.

I collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from my shirt and staining the white fabric red.

The crowd gasped in horror.

"Lucas, are you okay?"