Chapter 3

3.

She was right.

Everyone knew I had spent three years chasing Jaxon Sterling in college, and we only ended up married because of an accidental night together.

I had been a gifted designer with a scholarship to study in Paris, but I threw it all away to marry him.

I chose to be a housewife, learning how to cook and massage and keep a home―things I had never done in my life.

My professors and parents had screamed at me, and my friends had given up on me.

But I hadn't cared back then; I just wanted to be by Jaxon's side.

I shook my head, clearing those old memories, and gave my friend a small smile.

"I called you because I need you to help me draft a divorce agreement."

Yara Cassidy nearly choked on her coffee; she immediately pulled me into the passenger seat.

She went on a long rant about getting me every cent I deserved and helping me escape that toxic loser.

For the first time in years, I felt like I could actually breathe.

The hurt of being dumped on the side of the road began to fade.

Yara insisted on celebrating my impending freedom and refused to let me go home until dawn.

She even confiscated my phone so I wouldn't be tempted to check it.

By the time I saw my notifications, I realized Jaxon had nearly blown up my phone.

The messages were a endless stream of demands and threats.

When I finally tried to reply, a red exclamation mark appeared.

He had blocked me.

I didn't care; I blocked him back and deleted his contact info entirely.

Out of sight, out of mind.

When I walked into the house the next morning, I found Gwenyth Moore standing in my kitchen.

She was holding a plate of breakfast, and when she saw me, she ran over to grab my hand with a fake smile.

"Oh, you are finally back! Come, sit down."

She was acting like she owned the place.

Then, she leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"I should really thank you for staying out all night. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten to spend the night here."

"Though, honestly, I would have come over even if you were home."

She pulled back, looking at me with a triumphant smirk.

Gwenyth was vibrant and pretty, while I had let myself become sallow and exhausted from catering to Jaxon.

In the past, I would have shrunk back in insecurity.

But this time, I didn't give her the satisfaction of seeing me upset.

"Is that so? Well, feel free to make yourself at home. Do whatever you want."

I had the divorce papers in my bag, and I just wanted to find Jaxon and end this.

Gwenyth wouldn't let me go, though; she kept babbling about how I should teach her how to make breakfast since she wanted to cook for Jaxon.

I don't know when Jaxon came downstairs, but suddenly he was there, lunging forward to stand between me and Gwenyth.

He looked like he hadn't slept, his eyes dark with fury.

"Shaylynn! What the hell are you doing to Gwenyth now?"