Chapter 2

2

A text message pulled me back to reality.

"If you aren't here in thirty minutes, you'll regret it."

I let out a cold laugh, pushing down the bitterness in my heart.

To him, I was just a dog. A loyal pet he could control.

If I was even a second late, I'd get a slap at best. Once, in the dead of winter, he pushed me into a lake.

I had a high fever for four days after that.

He didn't even look at me. He flew across the country to celebrate Sia's birthday.

A wave of exhaustion washed over me.

I had given him six years of my life. I had nothing left to give.

I wanted to let him go. I wanted to save myself.

I grabbed the divorce papers I had prepared and headed to the hotel.

Just as I was about to knock, I heard their voices.

"You really made Naya come here with clothes? Aren't you afraid she'll get triggered and actually divorce you?"

Lex laughed casually. "It's been six years. I'm bored of her. No matter what I do, she doesn't have the guts to leave me."

"She's a dog I trained myself. She can't live without her master."

My fists clenched until my bones popped. The pain in my heart felt like needles.

I thought I was ready, but hearing it still hurt.

My face went pale, and the veins on my hands stood out.

A moment later, the door opened.

Sia was leaning against Lex, their laughter stopping abruptly.

When she saw me, Sia quickly pulled her hand back. She wiped her mouth as if trying to hide something.

She was clearly trying to make sure I noticed they had been intimate.

"I'm sorry, Naya. It's not what it looks like. We just haven't seen each other in so long..."

Lex snorted. "Why are you explaining anything to her?"

He looked me up and down, frowning. "Where are the clothes? Are you stupid? You can't even handle a simple task."

"Sign this."

I handed him the divorce papers, my face completely blank.

He glanced at them, and his expression shifted instantly.

He snatched the papers, tore them into shreds without reading a word, and threw them in my face.

"You want to divorce me? Who do you think you are? You should be grateful I even look at you!"

"Don't try this pathetic way of getting my attention!"

I watched him scream in silence.

He was the rising star of the legal world. I was just a regular designer.

He looked down on me before, and he looked down on me even more now.

His pride would never allow a "dog" to dump him.

"Fine. Sign the papers and send them to me later."

I turned around and walked away without looking back.

I just wanted a clean break.

Lex's furious voice echoed behind me.

"Naya Lynch! Do you think I actually need you?"

"Don't you dare regret this! You're nothing without me!"

Sia whispered, "Maybe you should go after her."

He gave a confident sneer. "Why bother? This is just a show to get my attention. In a few days, she'll be back on her knees begging for me to come home."

I smiled to myself. I tightened my grip on my bag and hurried toward the elevator.

Back at the house, I packed my things.

Lex had bought this place. He hated our old, small apartment, so we moved here.

Since it was over, I had no reason to stay.

I pulled a suit out from the bottom of the closet.

I had spent a year designing it for him. Every stitch was filled with my love.

What a waste. I tossed it into a trash bag.

Keeping it would only hurt my eyes.

My gaze fell on the safe in the corner.

It didn't hold legal files or deeds. It was filled with sketches of the woman he missed. Lex's secret, obsessive love for Sia.

I had found out by accident.

It was funny, really.

A millionaire lawyer who wore a cheap, old red string on his wrist every single day.

Sia had given it to him.

On our wedding day, I accidentally broke that string. He didn't hesitate to slap me in front of everyone.

I pushed the memories away. I took off my wedding ring and left it on the table.

I walked downstairs with my small suitcase.

I was finally leaving the house that held too many bad memories.