Chapter 3

3.

Click.

The door opened.

Elena was home.

I turned and gave her a cold, mocking look.

"The busy woman is back?"

This was the first time she had come home in months.

Elena flinched at my tone. She walked over, her face pale.

"Silas, we need to talk."

"I have nothing to say to you."

I lowered my voice, my tone freezing.

"Since you're here, pack your shit and get out. Brooks will deliver the divorce papers."

"Silas, why are you being so stubborn?"

She actually sounded aggrieved.

"Archer is just a content creator trying to make a living. Can't you just drop the suit?"

"If it's about money, just tell me. How much do you want? I can get it for you."

Bang!

I slammed my fist into the wall behind her.

She jumped, her eyes welling with tears.

"Elena, is this about money to you? Can money bring my mother back? Can money restore her dignity?"

"Answer me!"

I screamed until my throat burned.

Elena bit her lip and stayed silent.

I pulled my hand back and laughed bitterly.

"And... what makes you think I'm broke?"

"Is that why you married me? Because of the money?"

The question seemed to trigger a memory. Her eyes clouded over, and she whispered a soft no.

After a long silence, she spoke calmly again.

"Your company is failing. If you drop the charges, I can give you a million dollars to help you get through the crisis."

I was so angry I actually laughed.

"A million? I used to give you more than that for your weekly shopping allowance!"

"Stop playing games. I'll say it one more time. Get out!"

"Silas, please, be reasonable."

Elena reached out to tug at my sleeve.

"Tell me how much you need. I'll borrow it for you. Your finances are a mess. Continuing this lawsuit will only ruin you..."

"Wow, you almost sound like you care about me."

I pulled out a cigarette and lit it, my eyes narrowing.

"How long have you been sleeping with him?"

Elena's face drained of color. She stammered, unable to form a sentence. She couldn't even look me in the eye.

Her guilt was written all over her face.

So, she really was a cheater.

I stubbed out the cigarette and turned away.

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

"Silas..."

"Are you leaving, or do I have to call security?"

Elena's face flashed with anger. She stomped her foot.

"You're going to regret this!"

She was the one who was going to regret everything.

I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor and watched the street below.

Elena ran out and threw herself into a man's arms.

Under the moonlight, I could clearly see it was Archer Montgomery.

The sight of them together was like a knife in my gut.

I turned around and squeezed a glass on the table so hard I thought it would shatter.

Archer Montgomery...

"Silas?"

"Silas? Are you there?"

A voice called out from downstairs.

It was Clara Hayes, a long-time friend and the VP of my company.

I took a deep breath to calm down and went downstairs.

I found her busy in the kitchen.

She looked back and smiled when she heard me.

"I bought some groceries. I figured you hadn't eaten a real meal in days."

Usually, our housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins, did the cooking, but she was away on family leave.

Clara was right. I had been too busy with work and the lawsuit to even think about food.

I certainly hadn't had the energy to hire a replacement cook.

Clara brought the food to the table.

"You've lost so much weight, Silas."