Chapter 2

I was stunned. Xena's shamelessness never ceased to amaze me.

"So, in your mind, I should just sit here and be happy while my wife spends all her time with another man? I should just enjoy being cuckolded?"

"Mason!" Xena screamed. "Shut your mouth."

"I'm telling you, Caden and I are just friends. But even if we weren't, it's none of your business. If we wanted to be together, we would have done it years ago. You wouldn't even be in the picture."

Her words hit like a physical blow. I never realized how little she thought of me.

I thought I had already stopped caring after seeing those medical reports.

But somehow, her words could still cut through me like a knife.

I took a deep breath, pushing down the bitterness in my chest.

I walked over to the printer, grabbed the signed divorce papers, and handed them to her.

Xena's eyes widened as she read the bold letters at the top.

"You… you want a divorce?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes. A divorce."

"Are you insane? You wouldn't dare. You love me too much to ever leave me."

I couldn't blame her for being shocked. My love for her had always been her greatest weapon.

I had loved her more than anything in this world.

She knew it, and I knew it.

But now, I was tired. I didn't have any love left to give, and I certainly couldn't afford the cost anymore.

When I didn't respond, a look of pure disdain returned to her face.

"Mason, if this is some twisted game to get my attention, it won't work. I suggest you get back to your duties and play your part. I'll keep you as the Vice President everyone envies, as long as you stay in your lane."

With that, she tossed the papers onto the coffee table and walked out without a second glance.

Seconds after she left, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Caden.

"A man should know his place. What doesn't belong to you will never be yours. So what if you're married? I'm the one she loves. One word from me, and she'll do anything to make me happy."

In the past, these taunts would have broken me.

I used to ask Xena why she treated me this way, only for her to dismiss me.

"He's sick, Mason. Why are you attacking a dying man?"

She always chose him. Every single time.

Eventually, I stopped asking.

That night, she didn't come home. I didn't sleep a wink.

The next afternoon, my phone rang. It was Xena.

Her voice was flat, as if our argument yesterday never even happened.

"It's Caden's birthday today. I'm sending you an address. Come over as soon as you finish work."

"Honestly, if he hadn't insisted on inviting you, I wouldn't want you there to embarrass me."

She hung up before I could say a word.

I looked at the seven-second call log and started laughing.