Chapter 164: An Ex Out of Context

“Madam Sophia, really, there’s no need!” Ellis insisted on refusing.

No longer being Easton’s wife meant she was essentially kicked out of society's upper echelons. To them, she probably seemed to be living a desperate existence, but among ordinary folks, she was doing quite well, looking rather polished. She had a six-figure bank account and earned a six-figure salary monthly, so she didn’t have to miserably squeeze pennies to afford rent or share a subpar apartment. She could afford to live alone comfortably in a decently located one-bedroom apartment that she had grown to love, with a smooth commute to work.

Despite her days revolving around work and home—such a repetitive life—she was content for now.

Since it was during work hours, Ellis didn’t talk to Sophia for too long. When a colleague approached her with a work-related question, she ended the call to focus seriously on her job.

However, her concentration faltered as flashes of Sophia urging her not to divorce Easton crossed her mind. It was strange how people could be; even though she had wanted the divorce, in front of Sophia, she oddly felt a bit of anticipation, almost hoping Sophia would suggest she reconcile with Easton.

Of course, she didn’t regret the divorce. In her marriage with Easton, she never really got what she truly wanted—it seemed like no one really cared about her or tried to keep her around; her presence was almost negligible.

What is Sophia’s motive for offering compensation? Does Sophia accept Victoria as her daughter-in-law, knowing that her son has left her with nothing and feels guilty about it? The more she thought about it, the worse her mood got. After a while, Ellis forcibly controlled her thoughts, trying to stop thinking about it.

But control was futile; her mind still wandered. The day she got her divorce certificate, she was prepared to cut ties with Sophia, resolving not to seek her out unless Sophia initiated contact.

When Sophia actually did reach out, Ellis realized some relationships needed a mediator. For her and Sophia, that mediator had been Easton. Without him, things were awkward.

Better to not meet for now, and in the future, keep contact minimal. She preferred her life without traces of her ex-husband.

At a business forum dinner, the first time accompanying Easton to such an event, Taylor wished she had an extra pair of eyes to recognize every attendee.

“Mr. Easton, long time no see!”

Hearing someone greet her boss, Taylor reflexively turned to look.

“Oh, it’s not Mrs. Hudson.”

“Why didn’t Mr. Easton bring Mrs. Hudson along?”

The surprise in their voices made Taylor realize she had been mistaken for Ellis. Seeing Easton subtly frown, she remembered the incident half a month ago when Easton had asked her to arrange housing for Ellis, who had refused the offer and even yelled at Easton over the phone.

Easton seemed reluctant to discuss his divorce with others. As a new assistant still in her cautious phase, Taylor knew better than to speak for Easton on such matters.

“I’m his new assistant, Taylor.”

Easton glanced at Taylor, his lips twitching slightly, “She doesn’t really look like Mrs. Hudson, does she? Maybe Mr. Liam’s eyesight is going with his age?”

Liam, a bit embarrassed, rubbed his bald head and chuckled, “You can’t blame it all on my eyesight—it’s just that…”

Ever since Easton married Ellis, she was always seen at his side at public events, which had led people to associate them…

“Where’s Mrs. Hudson?” Liam looked around instinctively. “Not coming today, or…?”

Divorce wasn’t a taboo subject, but for some reason, Easton just didn’t want to talk about it. Do I need to make a big deal out of announcing my divorce to everyone?

“She didn’t come,” he replied tersely.

“It’s rare to see Mrs. Hudson not accompanying Mr. Easton,” Liam joked.

Noticing Easton’s mood darkening, Taylor wished she could signal Liam to stop mentioning Mrs. Hudson; the role of Easton’s wife was currently vacant.

Not only did she think Ellis was clingy, but it seemed the whole world did too. Easton had occasionally been annoyed that Ellis couldn’t read his cues, insisting on following him to events where she wasn’t needed. And if he asked her not to come, she would still make a scene. But now… they were strangers, and he no longer had to worry about her constant presence.

He also realized something he hadn’t before—without any interaction, she had quietly disappeared from his world. Although I want her completely out of my life as I filed for divorce, how is it that I frequently and easily encounter her now? Sometimes I can tell she makes deliberate efforts, but aside from those, do our lives no longer intersect at all?

Stonebridge wasn’t that big; their worlds intersected, like Carly being her aunt.