Chapter 2

2

Panic flickered across Zoe's face, and she grabbed my sleeve.

"Babe, I am only trying to help Cole out. Once the title deed is transferred, we will remarry immediately, okay?"

"Or why don't you just transfer the deed directly under his name, and we won't even need to divorce?"

I let out a bitter, mocking laugh.

"My mind is made up. We are getting divorced."

Those words were like a lit match to dynamite. Zoe's eyes widened, her finger practically jabbing into my nose as she shrieked.

"Ray Dawson, that is enough! Ever since we got married, who has been managing every detail of this household?"

"What about you? Aside from bringing home a paycheck, what have you ever contributed to this family?"

"Cole is practically like an older brother to me! Can your mind be any filthier?"

Her shrill voice echoed through the living room, thick with fury and indignation.

"I only took pity on Cole because of our years of friendship and wanted to find him a roof over his head."

"Do you seriously have to make my life hell over something so small?"

I let out a cold smirk.

"Finding him a roof requires a divorce?"

"It requires my dead mother's penthouse? How tragic. He can't rent a normal apartment, he just has to live in a luxury flat?"

Zoe stared at me in disbelief and yelled, "Rent? How could you be so heartless!"

"Someone literally died in that house! You are the only one who treats that haunted dump like a treasure!"

"Besides, once he gets back on his feet, he will return the deed to us anyway."

Watching her self-righteous entitlement, my fists clenched until my nails bit into my palms.

"You want a divorce? Fine. But once it is done, never come looking for me again."

Before Zoe could fire back, her phone rang loudly.

I recognized the ringtone instantly. It was Cole.

Heart of Eternity, the custom tune she had reserved exclusively for him.

Zoe picked up almost instantly, and a weak voice drifted through the speaker.

"Zoe, I think I have a fever. Could you take me to the hospital?"

"I am so sorry. I know you just got home, and I hate bothering you again. Please explain it to Ray so he doesn't get the wrong idea."

Zoe immediately softened her tone, cooing soothingly at the phone.

"Don't worry about him. I will be right there!"

She grabbed her car keys and headed for the door, but I called out to her.

She turned around, exasperated. "Ray, can you stop causing drama right now?"

I laughed mirthlessly. "It is raining outside. You forgot an umbrella."

A fleeting look of embarrassment crossed her face. She hesitated for a second before speaking.

"Babe, I will be back right after dropping him at the clinic. It won't take long."