Chapter 2

01

The day Kieren brought Gemma Young back, she was wearing a white dress.

Her face was unnaturally pale, making her look fragile and pitiable.

I only glanced up for a second before continuing to wipe the table. After all, my current role was the Sterlings' maid.

"Noelle, Gemma's health is poor. Your music studio will be converted into her sunroom from now on."

I felt a surge of frustration tighten in my chest.

Kieren had gifted me that music studio according to my exact tastes the day I won my first international award.

Back then, he had outbid everyone at the auction to get that piano for me.

He had said, "Noelle, these hands play the most beautiful melodies. They deserve the best piano in the world."

Now, these hands were covered in the scars of years of laboring for him.

I looked at them coldly and replied, "I understand."

Gemma raised an eyebrow at me provocatively, her eyes landing on the unique ring on my finger.

"I'm so sorry, Noelle. It's only because of my health that Kieren is divorcing you. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Please don't be mad at him."

After saying that, Gemma suddenly burst into tears.

Kieren looked at me with annoyance. "Why are you pulling that face? Apologize to Gemma right now!"

I stared in shock at the man I had lived with for eight years. My hands trembled with rage.

I hadn't done a single thing, yet I was being forced to apologize?

Seeing my silence, Gemma shrank into Kieren's embrace.

"Kieren, the ring on Noelle's finger is so beautiful. I'm so jealous... unlike me..."

I looked down at the ring on my ring finger. The inside of the band was engraved with our initials.

Eight years ago, he had knelt on one knee and promised to love me forever.

"Take the ring off and give it to Gemma."

Kieren's voice was as cold as ice, hitting me harder than a physical blow.

Even though I was beyond disappointed, I still couldn't bring myself to let go.

My voice trembled. "This is our wedding ring!"

"It's engraved with 'Kieren Sterling loves Noelle Halloway forever.'"

Kieren froze for a moment. He seemed to have forgotten all about it, and a flash of guilt crossed his eyes.

Gemma suddenly clutched her chest and started to slump toward the floor. Kieren's pupils shrank, and he swept a flower vase off the table with a violent swing.

Broken shards of porcelain sliced across my ankle. Beads of blood bloomed on my pale skin.

"Forget it if Noelle doesn't want to give it to me. I've always been alone anyway. I'm not like her―I don't get to have your love."

Kieren suddenly lunged at me. He grabbed my wrist, twisting it with brutal force.

The edge of the wedding ring cut into my flesh, but I clenched my fist tight, refusing to let go.

"Noelle, have you had enough of this drama?!"

The veins on his forehead pulsed. He used his other hand to shove my head down, pinning me to the floor.

"If the Sterlings hadn't paid off your mother's debts, you wouldn't even be qualified to be a maid here!"

I suddenly went numb. Those words were like a rusty blade, ripping open an eight-year-old scar.