Chapter 3

Ethan didn't answer.

He simply wrapped his arms around her, making his choice clear.

My tears poured down.

Looking at his cold eyes, I turned and walked away.

I thought he would chase after me.

But he didn't.

He was too busy comforting Rachel, asking if she had been frightened by me.

Heartbroken, I stumbled down the street, only to be struck by a car that ran a red light.

Before passing out, I vaguely saw Ethan running toward me in a panic.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital.

Ethan was sitting at the edge of the bed, gently touching my leg which was in a cast.

There seemed to be regret in his eyes.

I only found it ridiculous.

When I was discharged and went home, I walked in on them having sex in our bedroom.

Like a madwoman, I beat them both with my fists.

Only for Ethan to shove me away.

"Chloe, look at you. You look like a hysterical shrew. You don't look like a high-society lady at all."

Rachel hid behind him, her face full of smug satisfaction, her eyes mocking me.

She was wearing my silk nightgown, which had been torn to shreds.

She purposefully tilted her head back, making sure I could see the marks on her neck.

"A shrew?"

I started laughing, but my tears kept falling.

In the past, Ethan had his flings, but they were all temporary.

Only Rachel was different.

She would call him, pretending her chest hurt, and Ethan would abandon me at our wedding rehearsal.

When I was curled up on the bathroom floor in agony from stomach cramps, I called him for help.

He told me he had to accompany Rachel to an art gallery.

He had no time for me.

I had cried, screamed, and lost my mind.

In return, I only got blame, complaints, and worse treatment.

Now, I didn't want to torture myself anymore.

"Ethan, I’m serious about the divorce. When are we signing the papers?"

I didn't want to be dragged into this toxic cycle with Ethan and Rachel anymore.

If a man truly loves you, he won't let you suffer.

"I already swallowed my pride to make up with you! What more do you want?!"

The gentleness on Ethan's face vanished.

He frustratedly swept the documents off his desk onto the floor, acting as if he were the victim.

It made me look like the bad guy.

Looking at the red-eyed man in front of me, I smiled.

"This divorce is happening, Ethan."

Seeing how resolute I was, a flash of panic crossed Ethan's eyes.

He immediately pulled Leo over.

"Can you really bear to abandon Leo? He’s so young. How can he grow up without a mother?"

Leo looked at me, his eyes filled with his usual fear.

I squatted down to meet his gaze and took his hand. He was the child I carried for nine months. How could I not feel a pang of sorrow?

Ethan smiled, thinking I was going to back down for the sake of our child.

Just as he was about to speak, I asked Leo:

"Would you be happy if Chloe and Daddy got divorced?"

The young boy didn't fully understand, but hearing that, he nodded happily.

Ethan panicked and pulled Leo back instantly.

"Chloe, what are you saying to a kid? He doesn't understand anything about divorce!"

"Is that so?" I chuckled.

If I hadn't heard him call me "Chloe" with such genuine hatred yesterday, I might have believed his lies.

"Ethan, I've already accepted my boss's offer to relocate to our San Francisco branch."

"I hope we can finalize the paperwork before I leave."