Chapter 2

Yvonne POV

I pushed open the door to the VIP ward.

Caleb was sitting by the bed holding Chloe's hand. When he saw me enter, his face darkened.

"Who let you in?"

Leaning against the doorframe, the gauze on my forehead still seeping blood, my voice was completely flat.

"Caleb Sterling, let's get a divorce."

He froze for a second.

"What did you say?"

"A divorce. I've had enough of this life, and I'm done serving you."

Caleb stared at me for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled, though the amusement never reached his eyes.

"Yvonne, what game are you playing now?"

"I'm not playing any games. Haven't you always wanted a divorce? Now that I'm asking for it, are you actually surprised?"

After a moment of silence, he let go of Chloe's hand and stood up.

"Fine."

That very afternoon, we went to the court and submitted the divorce papers. Once all the proceedings were finished, the divorce would officially take effect.

After signing his name, Caleb tossed the pen back onto the desk and looked at me coldly.

"Don't regret this."

Without a word, I signed as well. By the time we stepped out of the courthouse, dusk was already falling. Standing on the steps, I suddenly felt as though a crushing weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

I went back to the villa to pack my luggage. My clothes only took up a third of the closet; the rest was completely empty.

Hanging on the wall was our wedding photo. I wore a white veil, and he was in a suit, with a fist's width of space left between us.

Back then, I had smiled so brightly, thinking I was marrying for love. Only later did I realize he had married me purely to punish me.

In three years, the number of times he had entered my room could be counted on one hand.

Every time I took the initiative to approach him, he would look at me as if I were something filthy, telling me not to touch him.

That was how every ounce of my warmth had been worn away, bit by bit.

I zipped up my suitcase and took one last look at the room. There was nothing left to hold onto.

Carrying the suitcase downstairs, I ran right into the front door opening. Caleb walked in, followed by Chloe.

Chloe had already been discharged. Dressed in a white dress, she clung to Caleb's arm, already carrying herself like the lady of the house.

Three years ago, the doctors said she would never stand again from the neck down. Yet now, the hand she wrapped around his arm was remarkably steady.

I stared at that hand for two seconds, saying nothing.

The three of us locked eyes in the living room.

Chloe spoke first, her voice soft and sweet: "Yvonne, are you leaving?"

Ignoring her, I hauled my suitcase toward the front door.

"Wait," Chloe called out, stopping me. "You can leave, but I need to see inside that suitcase. What if you took something you shouldn't have?"

Caleb stood beside her in silence, silently giving his consent.

I stopped in my tracks and turned around.

"Say that again?"

My gaze remained fixed on Chloe.

She looked a little guilty, but she forced herself to stand her ground. "I said, your luggage needs to be inspected. Everything in this house belongs to Caleb. You can't just take whatever you want."

I set down the suitcase and walked over to Chloe. Half a head taller than her, I looked down at her.

Then, I raised my hand and slapped Chloe across the face.

A crisp, loud *smack* echoed through the room.

Clutching her cheek, Chloe stared at me in sheer disbelief.

Caleb's expression changed instantly, and he took a step forward.

"Yvonne!"

I withdrew my hand and shook out my wrist, my gaze as cold as ice.

"That slap was to let you know that I don't give a damn about anything in this house. So you'd better not mess with me."

I grabbed my suitcase, pulled open the door, and walked out.

The door shut behind me, locking the two people inside and three years of marriage completely in the past.