Chapter 2

2

Holden called me a second later.

I hesitated for a moment before picking up.

"Jade, what are you throwing a tantrum for now？"

"Today is Celine's birthday. I was just playing along to make her happy. Don't be so dramatic!"

"I shouldn't even have to explain such a small thing to you. You're too controlling. We're married, but that doesn't mean you can take away my freedom."

"Hey, Jade, are you even listening？"

He fired off questions one after another, his tone getting more impatient.

He sounded like he was the victim, and I was the one who had done something wrong.

How ridiculous!

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"I don't care, Holden. We won't have anything to do with each other soon anyway. I don't care which woman you spend time with."

"And I'm not trying to limit your freedom. I just care that the money you sent to your mistress belongs to me."

Holden probably thought I was just jealous because his voice softened a bit.

"Look, I know I shouldn't have missed your birthday. But you have everything―a rich family, a perfect life. Celine has nothing. She only has me."

Hearing those words made it even more insulting. Is it my fault my parents are successful？

My fingertips were shaking as I held the phone. Even the sound of his voice made me sick.

I thought my sincerity would eventually touch him, but reality just slapped me across the face.

"Holden!"

I bit my lip, my voice sounding raspy.

"We are getting a divorce. That way, you can take care of your little secretary out in the open."

I hung up immediately. I took the birthday cake I had bought, placed it on the table, and lit the candle.

With the city lights and traffic as my only guests, I closed my eyes.

"Happy birthday, Jade," I whispered to myself.

My lawyer moved fast.

The next morning, the divorce papers were delivered to my office.

That's when Holden, who hadn't come home all night, finally showed up.

He pushed the door open and rushed to my desk, sounding humble.

"I'm sorry, Jade. I know you're upset. Yesterday was my fault. But Celine has no friends in this city. I couldn't just leave her alone."

"It was just one birthday. I'll pretend I didn't see your texts. Let's just move on."

I looked up at this man I had lived with for three years. The red marks on his neck were blindingly obvious.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

He couldn't even bother to clean up the marks another woman left before coming to see me？

This was a blatant insult.

If Holden was already this dirty, there was no reason to keep him.

I threw the divorce papers onto the coffee table in front of him.

"Sign it."

Holden stood up, his eyes widening as he read the title of the document.

"Jade, are you serious？"

"Do you have to be this heartless？"

"Why should I leave with nothing？ We've been married for three years. I'm entitled to half of everything."

I picked up my cup of steaming hot tea and, without a moment's hesitation, splashed it right in his face.

It was a perfect hit. He got a face full of hot tea and leaves.

He looked ridiculous with tea leaves sticking to his handsome face.

Holden jumped back, startled. Once he realized what happened, he started yelling.

"Jade! Have you lost your mind！"

"Yes, I'm crazy! I was crazy to stay with someone like you for so long."

"You're a piece of trash. I must have been blind to love you all these years!"

"Sleeping around with your intern... who knows what kind of diseases you've picked up!"

Last night, I had someone look into him and found out a lot of dirty secrets.

Every time he told me he was on a business trip, he was actually on vacation with Celine.

Every late-night meeting was just an excuse to go to a hotel with her.

Even the regular bank transfers from that account were all for her.

Holden thought I would never doubt him. If I hadn't seen her post or that specific transfer, I'd still be in the dark.

Besides their affair, my secretary's report included their history.

Celine was his college sweetheart.

If the Harrison family hadn't been failing three years ago and needed a rich bride, he never would have married me.

I thought it was a beautiful fate. It turned out to be a calculated business move.

He was always cold to me after the wedding.

I knew most business marriages were just for show, but I was stupid enough to think I could change him.

But all I got was betrayal.

Holden watched me become more and more humble for him.

In his eyes, my love must have been a joke. And in the end, he even brought his ex into the company.

I remembered how his parents acted strange when they saw Celine. They probably knew all along.

They kept quiet just to protect their son and the money my family provided.

It was all a joke.

Three years of my life turned into a punchline.

Instead of wasting more time, it was time to get out.