Chapter 2

2

The rain outside poured down in heavy sheets, completely shutting down the main highway.

Garrett had to turn the car around and take a dark, deserted backroad to get me home.

Years ago, I survived a horrific car crash that left me with severe trauma.

Seeing the flashing red lights and crushed metal ahead triggered a wave of panic, leaving me trembling and curled up tightly in the passenger seat.

Garrett gripped my freezing, shaking hand with one hand while steering with the other.

His voice was gentle as he tried to soothe me. “Don’t be scared, baby. Your husband is right here.”

Just then, his ringtone cut through the quiet car once again.

Cynthia’s sobbing voice echoed clearly through the Bluetooth speakers.

“Garrett, I think my ex-husband found my new apartment. I’m so scared.”

“He’s pounding on my door right now. What should I do...”

The moment he heard her cry, Garrett slammed the car into park and turned to look at me.

“Lily, Cynthia is in real danger. I have to go check on her right now.”

“You’re just one block away from the house. Walk through the alley, and you’ll be home in two minutes.”

Before I could respond, he had already pulled me out into the pouring rain and shoved a broken umbrella into my hands.

The bent umbrella couldn’t block the storm at all, and freezing rain instantly soaked my face and clothes.

I watched Garrett’s taillights disappear into the darkness, but surprisingly, I felt no anger and no sorrow.

The back alley was pitch black, and the dim streetlights barely cut through the torrential rain.

My phone battery dropped to one percent, and I swore I could hear heavy footsteps splashing in the puddles behind me.

In a sheer panic, I dialed Garrett’s number over and over, but every call went straight to voicemail.

My foot caught on an uneven curb, and I crashed hard onto the concrete, the impact sending a blinding jolt of pain through my head.

Scrambling on my hands and knees, I abandoned the broken umbrella and sprinted blindly toward our gated community.

When I finally stumbled through our front door, I collapsed onto the entryway floor, gasping for air.

The storm raged outside all night long, and I sat alone on the living room sofa, hugging my knees until the sun came up.

Morning arrived, but Garrett never sent a single text, nor did he come home.

I splashed cold water on my face to clear my head and packed every single thing I owned into two suitcases.

I left a signed divorce agreement on the dining table and walked out of that house for good.

As I stepped onto the street, an email from HR popped up on my phone regarding an overseas corporate transfer.

In the past, I had turned down every single international promotion just to stay by Garrett’s side.

This time, I opened the email and typed out an immediate reply, accepting the transfer to our London office.

I moved into a short-term rental apartment, cleaned my wounds, and crawled into bed to catch up on sleep.

Barely an hour later, an obnoxious ringtone shattered my peace, and I answered the call with deep irritation.

Garrett’s furious roar exploded through the receiver.

“Lily! Are you seriously throwing a tantrum because I made you walk half a block home last night?!”

“I rushed over to Cynthia because I have a professional obligation to protect my client!”

“Stop acting like a crazy person! You’re actually trying to divorce me over this nonsense?!”

Listening to his harsh, self-righteous voice, the last trace of affection in my heart evaporated completely.

“I will never sign those divorce papers!” he hissed through clenched teeth.

When I remained silent, he took a deep breath and forced his tone to soften.

“Stop letting your imagination run wild. Cynthia is just a client.”

My imagination?

The intimate embrace in his office? The dark red hickey on his neck? Was all of that my imagination?

“Besides, to thank me for winning her settlement, she used her connections to secure a feature for us in a lifestyle magazine as a model couple.”

“Get yourself cleaned up and come down to the firm today for the photo shoot and interview.”

How utterly pathetic. Garrett was one of the top divorce attorneys in the city.

Now, just to support Cynthia’s new PR career, he wanted to parade me around as his devoted wife.

“After the shoot, we’ll take Cynthia out to a nice dinner and thank her properly,” he added casually.

“Why on earth would I thank her? And why would I ever pretend to be your happy wife for an interview?”

My voice dripped with icy sarcasm. “Do you really think the two of you deserve that kind of respect?”

Garrett’s voice spiked into a harsh scream.

“Lily! Stop pushing my buttons! You are showing up for this interview whether you like it or not!”

“And take that ridiculous divorce talk back! Do you have any idea how much a scandal like that would ruin my firm’s reputation?!”

I cut him off in a flat, dead tone. “None of your business matters to me anymore, Garrett.”

“Sign the papers and have your courier deliver them to me as soon as possible.”

Without waiting for his reply, I hung up the phone.