Chapter 2

2

Five years ago, my father, who had worked himself to the bone his whole life, was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

I was a fresh college grad. I couldn't even dream of affording the astronomical costs of his treatment.

My father refused to fight it. He didn't want to be a burden to me.

That was when Jude Sterling appeared. He promised to cover every cent of the medical bills and fly in the best specialists in the country.

The price? I had to marry him.

At the time, I thought Jude was an angel sent from above.

The day we got our marriage license, we stepped out of the courthouse.

I was nervous but grateful. I wanted to invite him to lunch to thank him.

But then, a woman walked up and threw her her arms around him, calling him "babe."

As I stared in shock, Jude's lips curled into a sneer.

"Alara, did you really think I've been pining for you all these years?"

"I only married you so I could destroy you!"

"I never forgot how you rejected me in front of everyone!"

"I'm going to pay you back for that humiliation, ten times over!"

His eyes were overflowing with hatred.

The sun was shining, but I felt a chill settle deep into my bones.

During our senior year, Jude had confessed his feelings to me in front of the entire class.

Looking at his shy, hopeful face, I wanted to say yes.

But Sienna was standing right behind him, her eyes burning with a murderous glint.

She had threatened me. She said if I ever dated Jude, she'd hire thugs to trash my father's small diner.

She promised to spread rumors that our food was contaminated, ensuring we'd never find work in this city again.

I couldn't risk my father's livelihood. I had to reject Jude.

After that day, Jude's attitude toward me flipped.

I never realized he had been nursing that grudge for a decade.

After we married, I tried to tell him the truth so many times.

But Jude never wanted to listen. Eventually, I stopped trying.

I rushed to the hospital and handled my father's final arrangements. By the time I was done, it was dark.

Before going home, I met with a lawyer and had the divorce papers drawn up.

Looking at the signed document in my hand, I hesitated for a moment before dialing a number I hadn't called in years.

The phone didn't even ring twice before it was picked up.

My hand tightened around the phone.

"Caleb? Is the offer to join your team still open?"

When I graduated, I was supposed to start a major research project with Caleb.

But my father's illness forced me to drop out.

I heard that Caleb had to carry the entire project alone because of my sudden departure. He had been exhausted.

I was terrified he'd say no.

Every second felt like an eternity.

When Caleb's voice finally came through, I felt like I had been granted a pardon.

"Come back, Alara. We've all been waiting for you."

My eyes stung with tears. After confirming the meeting time, I hung up.