Chapter 3

Before Chelsea could react, I stormed into her room, grabbed her clothes and belongings, and stuffed them into a suitcase, tossing it out the door.

“Brianna, you—”

Chelsea looked utterly shocked, clearly not expecting me, usually the more easy-going one, to act so cold and direct.

“Didn’t you say you were leaving? Why haven’t you gone yet?” I shot back sarcastically.

Her face instantly darkened, turning the color of a charred pan. She pursed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes as she turned to Shawn for support.

“Shawn, I knew it. Brianna’s been wanting to kick us out all along… Even though you promised your brother you’d take care of me and Jake. And now, we’re about to end up on the streets. What a cruel fate!”

“And, don’t forget, you’re married now! This house is technically shared property between you two! Looks like Brianna doesn’t even care about you, Shawn!”

Chelsea’s little jab clearly hit its mark. Shawn’s face darkened, and the next thing I knew, he slapped me across the face.

“Brianna, what’s your problem? You get a house in the school district and suddenly think you’re better than everyone? Don’t forget—I’m still the one in charge around here!”

Then, without missing a beat, he softened his tone, turning to reassure Chelsea.

“Don’t worry, Chelsea. I made a promise to my brother, and I’ll keep it. You and Jake are staying right here. Nobody’s kicking you out as long as I’m here.”

My face burned, the sting from his slap still lingering. I stood frozen in place, staring at Shawn in disbelief.

Did he just hit me? For Chelsea?

In the past, even when Chelsea and I argued, he’d never go further than a scolding. Later, he’d apologize, saying his hands were tied—Chelsea was his brother’s wife, and since his brother had saved his life once, he felt obligated to look after her. So, he always claimed he had no choice but to side with her.

But deep down, I thought he was still on my side.

Now? He hit me? Something even my own parents never did.

I held my burning cheek, my eyes welling with tears as I looked at Shawn, waiting for an explanation.

But instead, he scowled and barked, “Why are you just standing there? Let’s go! Or do you want to embarrass yourself even more?”

Embarrass myself?

Was that how he saw this?

My anger flared.

“Embarrass myself? Shawn, your daughter’s school spot was stolen, and you don’t think that is embarrassing? I’m here to fight for her, to exercise my rights, and I’m the one embarrassing us?”

“How did I not realize sooner that you’re nothing but a coward?”

Shawn’s face turned beet red with anger as he raised his hand, ready to hit me again.

But this time, I was faster—I slapped him back.

“Brianna, you dared to hit me?” he stammered in shock.

I shook out my hand, still tingling from the slap, and raised an eyebrow. “Just returning the favor.”

Chelsea’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly rushed to Shawn’s side, as if playing the dutiful wife.

“Brianna, it’s only right that Shawn disciplines you. How could you hit him? Shawn, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Shawn muttered, rubbing his cheek. “You’re right, Chelsea. Brianna just looks down on me.”

He gave Chelsea’s hand a gentle pat, and the two of them stood there, close and intimate, like a couple.

This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

Every time Chelsea and I argued, Shawn would step in to defend her and push me to back down.

He’d always explain it was because his brother had saved him from drowning when they were younger. Now, with Lucas away for work, Shawn felt it was his duty to take care of Chelsea in return.

And because Chelsea had a severe dog allergy, Shawn had insisted I give away my beloved dog—one he’d originally bought for me.

Even when we went out for dinner, he’d order everything mild just for her, since Chelsea couldn’t handle spicy food. I’d suggested a split pot so we could have both spicy and non-spicy options, but Shawn just said I was being unreasonable, worried the spicy oil would mix with the broth.

Funny how he always seemed to forget how much I loved spicy food…

I’d tried to convince myself before, telling myself that his extra concern for Chelsea was just repayment for his brother’s life-saving act. That he was only neglecting me temporarily, and we still had over a decade of marriage behind us.

But now he’d hit me for her?

And instead of apologizing to me, he went straight to comforting her?

Watching the two of them, a wave of bitter realization washed over me.

Maybe all along, I’d been fooling myself. Maybe Shawn didn’t care about me as much as I thought…

Why else would he care more about Chelsea than me?

…

I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and slowly pulled off my wedding ring. I tossed it in front of Shawn.

“Let’s get divorced, Shawn.”