Chapter 3

3

Zander always looked down on me for being a cook. In his eyes, I wasn't romantic enough. I was just someone who handled the chores.

Even so, I had poured my heart into this marriage. I gave him everything and got nothing but spit in my face in return.

He was truly heartless. He belittled me in front of his first love and chose to assist her over his own brother-in-law.

"My brother was sentenced to three years because no one would testify for him. He committed suicide in prison today."

I spoke with a cold, sharp hatred, wanting him to feel even a fraction of my pain. As I went to hang up, I heard him laugh.

"Nice try, Lyra. Are you really lying about your brother being dead just because I didn't show up in court? That's low, even for you."

Zander never used to call me first. This was the first time, and it was only to harass me for another woman.

Now that Waylon was gone, I felt nothing. No love, no warmth―just a hollow emptiness where Zander used to be. I wouldn't rush to soothe his ego anymore.

Then, I heard Sutton's voice, sweet and mocking. "What is it? If Lyra has an emergency, you should go. I can handle things on my own."

"What kind of emergency could a cook have? Her life is nothing compared to yours, Sutton."

"Her brother was always a loner. Anyone could see he was trouble. He hurt a classmate, and now she's making up stories about his death just to get my attention. She'll try any trick in the book."

Zander spoke loudly, knowing I could hear. He was stepping on me just to score points with his ex.

Even though I was numb, hearing him slander my dead brother as a ploy for attention made my skin crawl with agony.

After five years of marriage, this was how little he thought of me.

"I shouldn't have asked you to meet for our anniversary. It's my fault she's acting out," Sutton sighed.

"It's not your fault. Lyra is just petty and small-minded."

Before the call ended, I heard them laughing together. They treated me like a clown in a circus they were enjoying.

I had done everything for him, and in the end, Waylon and I meant nothing. A verbal pact from ten years ago was worth more than our lives.

I forced myself to look up at Zion. His eyes were red, and he looked genuinely devastated. I realized he had been crying in front of Waylon's photo.

A man who barely knew us felt more grief for Waylon than his own brother-in-law.

Zander knew Waylon was innocent, yet he chose to play the victim's advocate on the phone.

"Can you help me write a divorce settlement?" I asked quietly. "I'm done."

Five years was a long time, but it had to end. I couldn't stay tied to a monster.

"Are you sure about this?" Zion asked, looking shocked.

I nodded. To some, ending a five-year marriage might seem rash. But I had lost my only reason to keep going.

If he didn't love me, I would let him go. He could have his precious Sutton.

Zion saw the fire in my eyes. "Okay. I'll handle your divorce personally."

After the funeral, I took the urn home and placed it in Waylon's room. Just two weeks ago, he was telling me he wanted to cook a special meal for me. Now, he was gone.

I collapsed on the floor and wailed, finally letting the grief consume me.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the front door. Zander's voice boomed through the house. "Lyra! Get out here right now!"

I struggled to my feet. Zander burst into Waylon's room, Sutton trailing behind him like a trophy.

He looked like he was about to explode. He threw the divorce papers at my face. "You're asking for a divorce over a little argument? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"You were the one who crawled after me in college. You were happy to be my backup. Did you really think you could threaten me with a divorce?"

I didn't understand why he was so angry. A divorce was exactly what he and Sutton wanted. Yet, his voice was shaking with rage.

Maybe he just hated losing his loyal dog. He was used to me taking his abuse with a smile. He couldn't stand that the dog was finally biting back.

I watched his mouth move as he insulted me in front of Sutton. My ears were ringing, and I felt exhausted.

"Yes. Divorce," I said firmly.

"I want the house and the diner. Everything else is yours."

The diner belonged to my parents. It held all my childhood memories. The house was the first thing I bought with my hard-earned money.

Waylon had lived there. I wasn't going to let Zander bring another woman into his space.

"Ha! You really think you're something special," Zander sneered. "You think I'm afraid of a divorce? Fine. Let's do it. Just don't come crawling back begging for a reconciliation later."

Sutton smirked and wrapped her arm around Zander's waist. "Babe, if you need help, I can represent you. We should take the house and the diner too."

My heart tightened with fear.

"Who wants this dump or that greasy spoon of a restaurant?" Zander scoffed. "I'll let her have them. I don't want her telling people I'm a deadbeat."

"I want to see how long you last without me. I bet you'll be crying before I even hit the driveway."

Zander tucked Sutton under his arm and walked out, throwing one last arrogant look over his shoulder.

He was wrong. I would never beg for him again.

The girl who loved him died the day Waylon was sentenced.

Zander Vaughan didn't deserve my love. From this day on, he was nothing to me.