Chapter 2

1

"A divorce?"

Gavin let out a cold, mocking laugh.

He stood up slowly, looming over me with an impatient glare.

"Don't even dream about it, Jade."

"Ask yourself, have I ever done anything to wrong you? Have I ever stepped out on this marriage?"

"Now you're using some pathetic excuse about a gift to walk away?"

"I really underestimated how delusional you've become. You're actually jealous of my own niece?"

His voice rose with every word, his finger pointed sharply at my face.

The rest of the family tried to pull him back, but he was fuming.

I had no intention of wasting my breath on a pointless argument.

"I'll have the papers sent to your office tomorrow. I'd prefer if we ended this with some dignity."

My coldness seemed to startle him.

The guests watched in stunned silence as I prepared to walk out.

Gavin shouted at my retreating back, his eyes burning with rage.

"You walk out that door, and don't you dare think about coming back!"

Suddenly, Skylar rushed toward me, tears streaming down her face like a tragic heroine.

"Aunt Jade, please! It's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked Uncle Gavin to bring me that toy."

"It's just… since my parents died, I haven't had anyone to spoil me like this."

"Don't be mad at him. If you want to blame someone, blame me!"

The rest of the Harrison clan immediately chimed in.

"Exactly! Skylar has lived with us since she lost her parents. She's family."

"Gavin treats her like a daughter. How can you be so twisted to think otherwise?"

"Skylar always mentioned she felt like you didn't like her. I didn't realize you were this malicious."

Gavin smirked, feeling vindicated by the family's support.

"Jade, is this really just because I forgot your gift? You're willing to slander a young girl for that?"

"We've been together so long. Don't you know me? I chose you over the most popular girls in college, and this is how you repay my love?"

"Fine. Behave yourself. I'll buy you ten pens tomorrow. Now sit down and eat."

"It's a family dinner. I don't care how you act at home, but be respectful in front of my parents."

"Skylar, sit down. Jade is just having a little tantrum. Don't be scared."

"We have nothing to hide. Your Aunt is just talking nonsense."

The family tried to smooth things over, but the air remained thick with tension.

I stood there, feeling like a total stranger in the house I had called home.

I looked around at their faces―the judgment, the disgust, the thinly veiled hatred.

It was almost funny.

"I said I'm divorcing you. Did you go deaf?"

"I'm not throwing a tantrum, Gavin. Let's just let each other go, okay?"

His smug expression finally cracked, turning into a mask of stone.

"Are you serious?"

I looked at the man I once loved and realized I didn't recognize him anymore.

"I've never been more serious in my life."

"Gavin Harrison, we are done."

I turned to leave again, but Gavin lunged forward and grabbed my arm in a vice grip.

"Save the drama for when we're home," he hissed in my ear.

"Stop embarrassing me in front of my family. Where would you even go without me?"

I shoved him away with every ounce of strength I had.

My eyes stung, but I refused to let a single tear fall in this house.

I never imagined we'd end up like this.

Skylar rushed over to Gavin's side, clutching his arm protectively.

"Aunt Jade! How can you put your hands on him!"

"Do you have any idea how much Uncle Gavin has sacrificed for you?"

"The Harrison family never wanted someone with your background. He knelt in the family chapel for a whole day and night just to get permission to marry you!"

"If a man did that for me, I'd never be so ungrateful!"

She cast a fleeting, meaningful look at Gavin, who gave her a half-hearted scolding.

"Skylar, that's enough. Don't get involved."

I watched their little performance with a bitter smile.

"If I divorce him, isn't that exactly what you want? You can finally take my place."

Gavin immediately stepped in front of Skylar, shielding her.

"If you have a problem, take it out on me. Leave Skylar out of your bitterness."

A wave of nausea hit me. He used to protect me like that.

Now, I was the villain and she was the princess.

"Just give me the divorce."

"Never!" he roared, finally losing his cool.

"Don't make me remind you why you married me in the first place!"

"Your parents left you a mountain of debt that would take three lifetimes to pay off."

"If it wasn't for my money, you wouldn't be standing here playing the high-and-mighty Mrs. Harrison."

"You want out? Fine. Repay every cent I spent on your family's mess first!"

He looked down at me with pure contempt.

Behind him, Skylar's eyes shined with a mix of jealousy and triumph.

"Aunt Jade, don't make him even angrier. That's so much money…"

I didn't wait for her to finish. I swung my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Skylar gasped, clutching her cheek in total disbelief.

Gavin lost it. He shoved me back and pulled her into his chest.

"What is wrong with you! I told you to stay away from her!"

I laughed, a cold and sharp sound.

"This is between me and my husband. A little brat like you has no business speaking."

The family started screaming at me, calling me a monster.

I didn't care. I turned around and walked out into the night.

"Ten o'clock tomorrow morning. My lawyer's office. Don't be late."