Chapter 3

3.

I have to admit, he knows me too well. He's using the company to threaten me.

He put that clause right at the top, making sure I couldn't miss it.

However, to a woman who is literally dying, a company has zero leverage.

In three months, I can't take anything with me. Giving the company to him is the best insurance it could have. Why would I be upset?

"You agreed to marry me and then pushed for a divorce this fast... was it really just for the publicity?"

A flicker of light, a shimmer of unshed tears, appeared in his bloodshot eyes.

My heart twisted in agony. Before my own eyes could well up, I looked away sharply.

He still cared that much.

When we first married, the internet was full of hate. People said I was using him as a stepping stone for my brand.

I couldn't even blame the trolls. Even my own mother had told reporters that I was just greedy for Gage's fame.

I forced a smirk, secretly wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. I turned back to him with the smug look of a victor.

"Gage, you've believed my lies for years. You're blinded by your own stupidity."

"Besides your fame and status, what else do you have that's worth marrying?"

He ground his teeth together, grabbing my wrist and staring me down with pure venom.

"So you used me and now you're throwing me away?"

"Ivy Vance, you are heartless."

He forced my hand down to sign the papers, though he didn't need to.

I wanted this divorce more than he did.

I don't remember how I survived that thirty-minute press conference. I only remember the relentless flashbulbs stinging my eyes.

And for the first time, Gage didn't move to shield me from the light.

I looked around the room. Three days ago, we were in this same hall for my new product launch, acting like the perfect couple everyone envied.

In just seventy-two hours, everything had turned to ash.

The conference ended.

I tucked myself into a corner and used my camera to secretly record Gage while he was being interviewed.

Selfishly, I set the camera on a table and crouched down, capturing one last shot of us in the same frame.

"Happy Divorce Day!"

"Take good care of my company."

"Or I'll come back and haunt you!"

I whispered these words to the camera, looking at the distant silhouette of Gage.