Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Silas," I said, my voice feeling like it was floating away.

"It's either me or Cynthia. Who do you choose?"

"Sylvia, do you have to be like this? She's dying and you still want to compete with her? Fine! I choose Cynthia. Are you happy now?"

"Silas, those were your words. Then let's just get a divorce!"

My jaw ached from how hard I was clenching my teeth.

"Since you can't let her go, there's no point in me hanging on. Let's just set each other free. Divorce is the only way."

I didn't understand why he couldn't forget her, yet wouldn't let me go.

Did he really think he could treat me like a doormat for the rest of my life?

I had looked the other way for so many things in the past, but I was done. Silas wasn't the only man in the world.

If I loved the wrong person, I would just start over.

Silas looked at me in shock. He grabbed my arm, his voice rising.

"Sylvia, what the hell is wrong with you? What do you mean? You want to divorce me?"

I let out a harsh laugh.

"What else? Should I wait until you literally bring her into our bed?"

His expression froze for a second, then he sneered.

"Sylvia, this little reverse psychology trick won't work on me. If we actually divorce, don't come crawling back begging for forgiveness."

"I won't. I'll have the papers ready as soon as possible. All you have to do is sign."

In that moment, I felt strangely calm.

Silas's actions had finally woken me up. He didn't love me, and nothing I did would ever change that.

Now that Cynthia was back, I was just an obstacle.

Seeing that I was serious, Silas's face turned red with rage. He glared at me.

"Fine, Sylvia! You want a divorce? Let's do it. Whoever backs out is a coward!"

He grabbed his bag and slammed the door as he left.

It had been three days since that fight, and neither of us had contacted the other.

Instead, Silas had been busy posting cryptic updates on social media―mostly photos of him and Cynthia.

I thought to myself, what a perfect pair of trashy lovers.

I knew what he was doing. He was trying to provoke me.

In the past, if I saw him being intimate with another woman, I would have caved in and apologized immediately.

But now, the love was gone, and his little games just seemed pathetic.

I hadn't been idle during those three days. I had a lawyer draft the divorce agreement.

Today, I left the papers on the table and walked away, putting a final period on this relationship.

It was sad that after six years of marriage, all my belongings fit into a single suitcase.

I moved into a small apartment near my office. I had bought it years ago for convenience.

After marrying Silas, I had never stayed there. Even when I worked late, I always rushed home to be with him.

But now I realized how big of a mistake that was.

Making Silas the center of my world didn't win me his love. It only made him think I could never leave, allowing him to ignore my feelings entirely.

Once I finished unpacking, I saw that Silas had missed-called me several times.

When I didn't answer, he sent a long string of texts.

"Sylvia, are you really divorcing me? You swore you'd always stay with me. You're breaking your promise."

"Remember, you were the one who knelt in front of my parents and promised to take care of me forever. Have you forgotten?"

"Fine, we can divorce, but you have to tell everyone it was your fault. I won't have my parents' health failing because of your drama."

"Look, Sylvia, I'm willing to compromise. After Cynthia has her baby, we can have one too. Haven't you always wanted a child?"

I almost laughed out loud at the last message.

That was his brilliant solution? A compensation baby.

I felt a wave of self-mockery.

I thought he was reaching out because he still had feelings for me. Instead, he was just terrified I'd expose his disgusting behavior and upset his parents.

Adultery was something his conservative parents would never accept.

But why should I take the blame for his mistakes?

Years ago, I married him despite everyone's judgment. I spent a fortune buying back those scandalous photos to protect him.

And because Silas thought kids were a hassle, I accepted a childless marriage.

I even told my own parents that I was the one who couldn't conceive, so they wouldn't put pressure on him.

And what did I get in return?

A husband who wanted to sleep with his ex and have her baby.