Chapter 2

3

In less than a month, Harold had a new lover by his side.

Her name was Corrine, and I remembered it clearly this time. Why?

Because she was Erika's half-sister.

Her resemblance to Erika was uncanny, more so than any of the previous stand-ins. Her every gesture seemed to bring Erika back to life.

This time, Harold's antics made everyone, including me, take a second look at Corrine.

She was preparing to enter the entertainment industry from abroad, and Harold bought several shopping mall screens to play her promotional video 24/7.

He took her to every event with media exposure.

Newspapers and trending headlines were filled with stories about him and Corrine.

"Mr. Oliver and the rising star Corrine rumored to be in a passionate romance."

"A powerful business tycoon in the city spends millions to promote the rising star Corrine."

When I went to the club to find him, he was partying with friends, and Corrine wasn't there.

"Mr. Oliver, aren't you going a bit overboard this time? Aren't you afraid the one at home will cause a major fallout?"

He smoked leisurely, a careless smile on his face. "Cause a major fallout? Does she have the leverage to do that? The Ward Family is heavily reliant on the Oliver Group. Elsie has to think about her family's survival before causing any trouble."

I recalled the only time we had a fight, and I ran back to the Ward Family.

My parents had passed away early, and my two uncles treated me well, while my aunts treated me like their own daughter.

That night was my most vulnerable. I sobbed into my aunt's arms, pouring out my grievances.

But my uncles scolded me for being immature, for embarrassing Harold in front of outsiders, and for bringing shame to both families.

Even my loving second aunt advised me that men often behave this way, and as long as my position as Mrs. Oliver wasn't threatened, there was no need to make a scene.

The next day, they sent a driver to take me back to the Oliver Family.

"One is flamboyantly beautiful, the other serene and elegant. Ah, Mr. Oliver is truly lucky to have both."

"I thought you were quite fond of Elsie during those three years after you got married. I even thought you had changed your ways..."

He stubbed out his cigarette, his expression obscured by smoke.

"Three years was more than enough. Wouldn't you get tired of it too?"

Everyone present understood. It wasn't that he was tired; it was that the memory of his first love had been rekindled in his heart.

Even though I had mentally prepared myself, hearing these words still caused a dull ache in my heart.

4

I pushed the door open and entered, a calm smile on my face.

His friends looked at me in surprise; it had been at least three or four years since I last appeared at their gatherings.

I placed the divorce papers in front of him and spoke calmly.

"These are the divorce papers. We split the assets and cash equally. You can have a lawyer review it. Just sign it and give it back to me."

Harold and I had signed a prenuptial agreement, making the Oliver Family's company shares and real estate indivisible. The only assets I could claim were the liquid funds under Harold's name.

Harold's face turned dark with anger, and I stood there, waiting for him to sign.

The atmosphere was tense, and his friends tried to lighten the mood with jokes.

"Come on, sis-in-law, don't joke like that. Mr. Oliver is just having fun with those women. None of them last more than three months. Corrine has commercial value, so Mr. Oliver is just a bit more invested..."

He slammed his glass down on the table, spilling the amber liquid onto the divorce papers.

I couldn't tell if he was angry because someone linked his lover to commercial value or because I embarrassed him by bringing divorce papers.

I retrieved the now-stained divorce papers from the table.

It seemed today wasn't the day for signatures.

"I'll wait for you at home."

I declined their attempts to persuade me to stay and left directly.

"She's just throwing a tantrum. She wants you to spend more time at home with her."

"Indeed, you went too far with Corrine this time. The young lady has her pride too..."

Their words seemed to soften Harold's expression, and he let out a mocking laugh. "Young lady? She's 27 and should know better than to act like a child, using divorce as a tantrum."

"Ah, Mr. Oliver, women appreciate being treated well. Even if you want to play outside, you need to keep the one at home happy to enjoy yourself."

With that, Harold paused, as if he had taken their words to heart.

He grabbed his coat from the sofa, ready to leave.

The screen lit up with a new Whatsapp message.

"Harold, I've reprinted the divorce papers and left them in the study. The house is yours; I'll take the car. Sign them, and I'll come back."

After reading the message, he closed his eyes, feeling like his chest was about to explode.

In a fit of rage, he hurled his phone against the wall, startling everyone.

I stood in the corridor, hearing the loud crash from the room, paused for a moment, and then left without looking back.