Chapter 1

1.

The day I left the postpartum recovery center, Julian Vance came to pick me up.

He brought my favorite red velvet cupcakes.

And a divorce agreement drafted by his lawyer.

There was no guilt on his face. "Audrey is coming back from overseas, so..."

I glanced at the agreement: the company goes to the husband, and all other assets go to the wife and child.

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted.

But I still frowned, pretending to be upset. "Julian, we built this company from the ground up together. Are you really this eager to kick me out?"

Julian handed me a pen. "You know I started this company to make Audrey's dream come true. You can have everything else, just not the company."

I snatched the pen from his hand and signed my name, afraid he'd change his mind.

Julian seemed surprised that I wasn't crying or making a scene. "Four years together, and you don't feel a thing?"

I looked down at the baby in my arms, then smiled at him. "I hope you and Audrey are very happy together."

My divorce lawyer had already prepared this agreement. Julian, desperate to get rid of me, signed it without a second look. Then, he couldn't wait to drive me to the law firm.

...

A month later, when the judge's stamp hit the papers, our marriage was officially over. The moment I got the divorce decree, I saw a happiness on his face I hadn't seen in a long, long time.

He looked down at me. "I need to go back to the house later to pack my things."

"Okay, no problem," I replied, my voice soft and calm.

Julian stared at me. "You seem different."

"How so?" I tilted my head, a bright smile on my face.

"I thought you would..."

"Throw a fit? Cling to you and beg you not to leave? Use our child to guilt you into staying?" I smiled at him. "You should hurry home and pack. Audrey's flight gets into JFK tonight, right? Don't be late."

It was evening by the time I got home. The baby was already sleeping peacefully, soothed by the nanny. Julian gazed at the baby, lost in thought. "Have you thought of a name for him yet?"

I found his fake sincerity hilarious. His heart was already at the airport, yet here he was, playing the role of a loving father.

But I answered calmly, "Aiden."

Julian's brow furrowed. "Aiden? He's a Vance."

I smiled at him. "A Vance? The divorce agreement clearly states that the child belongs to me."

I paused. "But you'll always be his father. When he's older, if you want to see him, I won't stop you."

Julian sighed, a flicker of guilt finally showing on his face. "Thank you, Chloe. I'll make sure you two get plenty in child support."

"No need," I said, cutting him off. "I can afford to raise him. You should go pursue your own happiness."

Julian glanced at his phone. "Okay. Well, goodbye then."

"Goodbye."

I waved as he left, then slowly closed the door. Finally. I was finally free of him.