Chapter 3

3

"You want a divorce?"

Hudson's voice echoed from behind me.

I turned around to see him standing there with a dark expression.

Under his gaze, I walked to the desk, picked up a pen, and signed my name on the line for the wife.

I walked over to him, holding the signed papers.

"Isn't this what you've wanted for years? Consider it a gift."

Hudson stepped closer. "What kind of stunt are you pulling today? Trying to win Grandpa's pity by acting out this drama?"

I didn't bother responding. "Save the breath. Your little girlfriend is waiting for you outside."

Seeing that I was serious, Hudson snatched the papers and threw them into the trash can.

"Enough, Avery. Shelby just has that kind of personality. Don't be so sensitive."

"Besides, I came back specifically to make up for our anniversary. Don't ruin the mood with this trash."

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I was immediately hit by the cloying, pungent scent of her perfume.

It was Shelby's signature scent.

And on Hudson's neck, there was a fresh hickey in a shade of bright dragon-fruit pink―the exact color Shelby was wearing today.

Seeing me silent, he grabbed my hand and led me to the living room.

On the coffee table sat an elegant cake.

He pointed at it, looking like he expected a gold star.

"Look, I went all the way to the East Side just to get your favorite cake."

I took a step back, breaking his hold, and let out a dry laugh.

"Make up for our anniversary? You forgot I'm deathly allergic to strawberries, and yet you expect me to be touched?"

My strawberry allergy was actually something Hudson had discovered years ago.

When we were kids, he'd snuck me into a strawberry field. We picked so many.

That night, I broke out in hives and ended up unconscious with a high fever.

My parents rushed me to the hospital, and we found out I was allergic.

Hudson was so devastated he didn't sleep for days, staying by my hospital bed to look after me.

After that, strawberries were banned in both our households.

Until Shelby showed up.

She loved strawberries. Everything she owned had to be strawberry-scented or flavored.

Slowly, Hudson forgot about my life-threatening allergy and only remembered what Shelby liked.

Hudson froze as the realization hit him. He struggled to find an explanation.

I sneered at him.

"Hudson, you want to marry Shelby so badly? Go ahead. I'm stepping aside."

Hudson's temper flared instantly.

He yanked his tie loose and sat on the sofa, knocking back a glass of water.

"Everything I said before was just because I was angry. I promise you, the position of Mrs. Thorne will always be yours."

His meaning was clear. He wouldn't divorce me.

But he would continue to cheat and mess around with whoever he wanted, and I wasn't supposed to care.

He just needed a respectable shield for his reputation.

I used to be willing to play that role, but not anymore.

"My lawyer will be in touch to finalize the details."

With that, I walked out of the room without looking back.

In the yard, Shelby was playing on the swings with Chase.

Mrs. Thorne was beaming, showering them both with praise.

Seeing me leaving, Chase jumped off the swing and blocked my path. "You're leaving before Auntie Shelby's birthday party? How rude."

I paused for a second.

I had completely forgotten. Today was Shelby's birthday.

No wonder Hudson didn't care about our anniversary but insisted on coming back today.

It was all for her.

I looked down at Chase. His eyes and brows looked so much like mine. I knelt down to his level.

I asked softly, "Chase, if Dad and I get a divorce, who would you want to live with?"

Chase didn't even hesitate.

He pointed at Shelby. "I want Auntie Shelby."

I looked up and caught Shelby's smug, provocative gaze.

I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt.

The child I carried for ten months was choosing the woman who destroyed my marriage.

If Chase had wanted me, I would have fought heaven and earth for his custody.

But now, I realized it was time to let go.