Chapter 2

2

Seeing my silence, Chloe grew even more impatient.

"Did you hear me?" she snapped.

I snapped out of my thoughts and nodded. "Okay."

I agreed to her demand, but she still looked unhappy. Her brows furrowed deeply.

"What's with that look? Are you giving me an attitude?"

Before I could answer, she scoffed to herself. "Whatever. A loser like you will probably end up as a janitor."

She added, "It would be embarrassing if people recognized you. I'll arrange a tiny studio for you later."

I opened my mouth but decided to say nothing.

She was too self-centered to listen. Explaining myself was a waste of time.

After dealing with me, she went into the bedroom and returned with a small box.

"Zane, try this on for size."

My hand trembled slightly as I held my fork. I knew that box.

"Wow! Did you get this specifically for me, babe?"

Zane was thrilled. He took the diamond ring and tried to slide it onto his ring finger.

It got stuck halfway.

"This..." Zane looked discouraged, but he didn't dare complain. He just gave Chloe a pouty look.

"It's fine," Chloe comforted him softly. "I'll have someone resize it for you."

Her tone was so casual, so dismissive.

She seemed to have forgotten the time I merely opened that box while cleaning.

She had screamed at me and hit me for even touching it.

"Remember this, Jace! This ring is for him! No one else is allowed to touch it!"

The "him" she meant was her first love.

Zane looked at me and grinned. "Did you even get a ring when you married her? Maybe we have the same size. Should I wear yours?"

I paused, then slid off the cheap, plain band I wore. "Sure."

Zane was stunned that I gave it up so easily.

I placed the ring on the table and walked toward my room.

Since I was leaving anyway, I needed to start organizing my things.

Chloe followed me inside before I could start.

"Go tidy up the back garden later," she ordered. "And show Zane around the property."

"He needs to get used to his new home."

I didn't look back. "Let the butler show him around."

Chloe's voice rose in anger. "If I rely on the butler for everything, what do I need you for?"

Exactly. What was the point of me being in this house?

I wanted to ask her that, but I swallowed the words. "Fine."

Her expression softened slightly. "Honestly, you're so slow to do anything!"

When I grabbed my tools to head down, they were tangled on the sofa, kissing passionately.

They didn't stop when they saw me. If anything, they got louder.

"There are bedrooms upstairs," I reminded them.

They reluctantly pulled apart. Zane gave me a look of pure disdain.

"It's called passion, old man. You wouldn't understand."

Chloe snorted and waved me away. "Just get to work! Stop wasting time."

I started mowing the lawn and trimming the hedges in the garden.

Zane stood nearby, throwing insults every few minutes.

"Seriously, Jace, a man living as a doormat like you? You're better off dead."

"She loves me. Why do you keep hanging around like a stray dog?"

I stayed silent. Eventually, he got bored and sat on a bench, looking moody.

When I finished and headed back up, he suddenly lunged forward and grabbed my sleeve.

"Listen, Miller. I'll tell you a secret. Chloe is already carrying my child!"

"Your wife is pregnant with another man's baby, and she's having a wedding. Are you a total coward?"