Chapter 3

Declan arrived fifteen minutes later.

"Wife, I messed up."

He reached for my hand.

I moved aside, pointing at Willow, pale-faced behind him.

"We're getting a divorce, and you brought her along to celebrate, huh?"

Declan froze. "Divorce? What are you talking about? I came to take you home..."

He realized, turning around.

"You idiot, what are you doing following me here?"

"It's freezing out there!"

He grumbled as he helped her into his own coat.

He didn't notice I was only wearing a shirt from last night, shivering uncontrollably.

Willow whimpered, just crying.

"I just wanted to be with you..."

Before she could finish, I slapped her hard.

Willow clutched her face, stumbled back a few steps, and fell to the ground.

"Wife, are you out of your mind?!"

Declan couldn't help but scold me. He followed my gaze to the ground, then fell silent.

"This is the sapphire pendant Nana Eleanor gave me."

I picked up that custom-cut sapphire ring.

"Declan, didn't you say the cleaning service lost it?"

"So why is it on her hand?"

Declan pressed his lips together. "Wife, a bracelet like this is nothing for you."

"So you just steal it to give to other women?!"

Declan's face turned cold.

"Steal? Come on. I'll just compensate you for it."

"Give it back."

He held out his hand.

"That was my birthday gift to Willow."

Too fed up to argue, I pointed at the courthouse.

"Go inside and get a divorce, and I'll give it back."

Declan chuckled without humor.

"This isn't New York City, Skylar. And you're not the untouchable socialite in front of me anymore."

He walked in without hesitation.

Willow's faint voice came from behind him.

"I'm not short on expensive jewelry, Skylar."

"But you just love taking what's not yours, don't you?"

I turned back, a smirk on my face.

"You'll soon find out if what you've snatched is a treasure or just worthless trash."

Three months after our divorce, Declan announced his engagement to Willow Thorne.

He went to film sets with her every day, staying in the same hotel after work.

The internet buzzed, saying Declan had found true love only after his divorce.

Maya, my assistant, whispered in my ear.

"He's just after Willow's family's real estate empire, isn't he?"

I snapped, "Shut up, Maya. Don't say another word!"

But it was too late.

Willow, in her high heels, strode up and slapped Maya, making her nose bleed.

"What low-level nobody thinks they can talk to me like that?"

The Thorne family did wield considerable power in Hollywood, and I was just a mid-tier actress who'd gotten in thanks to my family's connections back east.

I couldn't fight her now; I could only swallow my pride and apologize.

Willow raised an eyebrow, tossing an invitation from her purse.

"Declan and my engagement party, Skylar. You simply must come."

Her entourage was large, and fans gathered outside the hotel.

I suppressed my emotions, smiling as I took the invitation.

"Of course."

The Thorne family's engagement party was lavish, attended by dignitaries from all walks of life.

I never expected the designer dress I'd just borrowed to be stained the moment I walked in.

Willow, somehow, found a few goons to corner me right at the entrance of the Thorne estate.

"Beg me, dollface, and I'll let you pass."

The blond thug, a cigarette dangling from his lips, sauntered closer.

The next second, Declan, who had just arrived, landed a punch square on his face.

"Who the hell do you think you are, laying your filthy hands on her?!"