Chapter 3

3.

I watched them leave, a mocking smirk playing on my lips.

I pulled a folder from my nightstand, revealing a divorce agreement.

My marriage to Fiona had been nothing more than a transaction from the start.

I had fallen for her at first sight―or so I thought.

And she had simply seen me as a ladder to climb.

We had signed a contract.

I would provide the resources and status she wanted, and she would play the wife.

In five years, we would have a clean, quiet divorce.

I checked the date on the papers.

The contract was set to expire in exactly four days.

I felt a sudden weight lift off my shoulders.

Five years. I was finally free from this circus.

In the middle of the night, my throat felt like it was on fire.

I needed a glass of water.

As I opened the guest room door, a muffled moan echoed from the living room.

In the dim light, two figures were tangled together on the sofa.

"Fiona, who's better? Me or Liam?"

"Why are you even bringing him up right now?"

"You are, obviously. He's so old-fashioned and boring, I can barely stand to touch him."

Fiona's voice was breathy, her tone playful and teasing.

"Do you think he'd be heartbroken if he saw us like this?" Silas asked.

He looked directly at me, his eyes full of malice and triumph.

He knew I was there. He was doing this on purpose.

Fiona didn't even look up. She just kissed him harder.

"Who cares if he's upset? I don't give a damn about him."

A bitter taste rose in my throat, and my stomach turned.

My thirst vanished instantly, and I quietly shut the door.

I stayed awake for the rest of the night, listening to them, waiting for the sun to rise.