Chapter 2

2

Everett cleared out a high-end boutique so only the three of us were inside.

He stood by Celine, his eyes never leaving her.

He spoke in a gentle tone I had never heard him use before. "This one looks nice. Try it on."

Celine giggled as she took the garment.

"How did you know I'm a 32D? You're so observant~"

She glanced at me with a look of pure malice.

The sales clerk rushed over to flatter her. "You're so lucky, ma'am. It's rare to see a husband so attentive."

Everett didn't correct her. He let her assume Celine was his wife.

Celine's smile widened, though she feigned modesty. "Oh, stop it."

Then the clerk looked at me. "And who are you, miss?"

Everett finally seemed to remember I existed.

"She's with us. Mona, go pick out a couple of things."

Before I could speak, the clerk gasped. "You're so generous to your house staff, sir!"

Silence fell over the store.

I didn't even flinch. I just kept replying to emails on my phone.

Since the day we married, he forbade me from working. He said a Sterling wife didn't need to show her face in public.

But I was independent. I refused to rely on him entirely.

I had kept up with my coding skills over the years. I uploaded projects to GitHub under an anonymous handle.

I was good. So good that major tech firms had tried to recruit me.

But because of the seven-year contract, I always turned them down. I chose to wait.

Now, the wait was almost over.

I shut my phone off as Everett walked toward me.

"I'll take that one," I said, pointing to a plain, unremarkable dress.

"I want to try that one too!" Celine chirped.

She grabbed the dress and followed me toward the dressing room.

I frowned. "Use the one next door."

"Oh, come on! It's just a dress!"

She suddenly shoved me hard into the changing stall.

I stumbled back and heard a loud crack. My arm slammed into the mirror, and glass shattered everywhere.

Everett heard the noise and rushed in. His face darkened the moment he saw the mess.

Celine was sitting on the floor, clutching her hand and sobbing.

"Is it because I wanted the same dress? If you're mad, I won't wear it! Why did you push me?"

She held out her hand, showing a tiny, faint scratch.

Everett's expression shifted to pure concern. He knelt down and took her hand.

"How bad is it? Does it hurt?"

Then he turned to me, his eyes full of rage. "Mona, are you really this petty? Over a dress?"

I opened my mouth. "I didn't push her. She―"

"Stop lying!" he snapped. He didn't even notice I was sitting in a pile of broken glass. My arms were covered in deep cuts, and blood was soaking my sleeves.

He scooped Celine up into his arms. "Don't be scared. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Celine whimpered against his chest. "Will it scar? I won't be able to show my face!"

"It won't. I'll get you the best doctors."

He comforted her in a low voice and walked out without looking back once. He left me there, bleeding and alone.