After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back

Maria stared into Herman's eyes, noticing the sincerity and warmth in them. There wasn't a hint of deceit. She smiled and said, "Whoever you fall in love with is going to be very lucky."

Herman smiled back and clinked his glass with hers. "I think that's the least anyone deserves. Every person is an individual, free in their own right. Love shouldn't be something that traps or binds you. It should make both people better, not something that drags them into endless suffering."

"Well said!" Maria clapped her hands, downing another glass of wine.

Herman watched her, his brows knitting slowly.

After a pause, he asked, "That man earlier... you know him, don't you?"

Maria nodded, "Yes. He used to be a designer in my studio. Now, he's my business partner."

She drank a bit too quickly, and the alcohol hit her fast, a rosy blush creeping onto her cheeks.

relationship would too. But to my surprise... I ended up liking him," Maria said as if opening up for the first time. Herman listened, but deep down, he knew she didn't see him as anything significant. That

of bitterness. "It wasn't pure from the beginning, so even when I realized I liked him, everything started

with motives or some kind of manipulation, the feelings were real. You can criticize what happened or regret the things that were done, but you can't

Maria looked at him, surprised by how he viewed it

hadn't expected him to approach it

think a relationship

to develop it, then be honest and lay everything out. Don't keep

in a relationship? I find that hard to believe.

and replied, "I really haven't. But ve witnessed it-my parents are the best example. They've already written the playbook, so Tiana and I don't need to overthink it. We just follow their

Maria's eyes lit up with interest. "Now you've made me

welcome at my house anytime,"

glass with his again. "Thanks for talking to me about