Chapter 3

3.

"Number ninety-seven, Weston Vance!"

My turn had arrived.

I took my paperwork and walked right past Nadine.

A flicker of shock crossed her eyes.

"What's wrong with you?"

I ignored her, and she didn't follow.

Inside the exam room, the doctor frowned at my scans.

"Your eye condition has worsened significantly."

"If this continues, you could lose your sight permanently."

"You must rest! Stay away from screens! Wear these special tinted lenses for the next few days, and pick up your prescription at the pharmacy."

I nodded, thanked the doctor, and stepped out.

Nadine was standing alone by the door.

With a rare tone of concern, she asked what was wrong with my eyes.

"Nothing."

I strode forward to put distance between us.

Nadine hurried to match my pace.

"I know my tone was harsh earlier. I've been under a lot of stress at work lately... Please understand. Anyway, I booked a table at your favorite steakhouse. Let's go together after you get your meds."

I checked my watch and turned her down flat.

"I have plans."

I had an appointment with my divorce attorney, Clark.

Nadine's expression shifted rapidly through shock and anger.

Before she could speak, her phone rang.

Sawyer's panicked voice drifted from the speaker.

"Nadine, I... I got hit by a car."

Worry instantly washed over Nadine's face.

"Where are you right now? I'm coming."

Sawyer sent her his location.

Before rushing off, Nadine looked back at me.

"Wait for me at home tonight. We need to have a serious talk about us!"

We certainly did.

After picking up my medication, I drove straight to Attorney Clark's office.

He walked me through the divorce process and drafted the settlement agreement.

Since Nadine said she was coming home tonight, I asked Clark to expedite the paperwork.

I had the finalized divorce papers in hand by eight in the evening.

Nadine never showed up.

Instead, I received two photos from Sawyer.

They showed Nadine lovingly caring for him at his bedside.

He unsend them a second later.

"Sorry, Mr. Vance! Wrong chat..."

"Please don't get the wrong idea. Nadine is just being a caring boss!"

Right. A caring boss.

Yesterday had been our wedding anniversary.

I had spent days setting up a romantic surprise.

The guest of honor never appeared.

Checking social media, I found her keeping Sawyer company.

The two of them were taking selfies in my Ferrari, flaunting their close bond.

I had only tapped the like button.

Nadine had called immediately, barking accusations at me.

"Weston! Why are you so damn petty?"

"What's wrong with letting an employee borrow my car for a couple of days? Did you really have to hire internet trolls to cyberbully him?"

I hadn't hired anyone.

She refused to hear my side.

All Nadine cared about was Sawyer's hurt feelings.

Later, she bought him a brand-new Porsche.

Sawyer flaunted it online, deliberately rubbing it in my face.

None of it mattered to me anymore.

I ignored Sawyer's pathetic mind games and answered an incoming FaceTime call from my buddy, Liam.

"Hey Wes! Take a look at this. Isn't this the custom jewelry set you gave your wife?"

Even the original luxury box was intact.

Liam explained that his wife had just bought it from a private seller.

His wife's voice chimed in from the background.

"The guy is a reseller! He said he bought it off some woman named Nadine..."

"Alright, babe, don't you have a shopping date with the girls? Go on before you're late," Liam quickly cut her off.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"My wife talks too much. Don't pay attention to her... I just called because I was worried it had been stolen from your place."

"I appreciate it. Since she bought it, let her keep it."

Liam rubbed his neck, trying to decline.

I had no desire to bring that jewelry back.

Since it had been sold off like cheap merchandise, this home was no longer where it belonged.