Chapter 2

I sat in the pitch-black room for three hours until my battery died.

Late into the night, a patrolling security guard finally heard a sound and unlocked the door.

I walked out into the chilly night wind, shivering in my thin blazer.

I didn't call Julian. I just hailed a cab home.

When I opened the door, the living room was brightly lit.

Julian and Summer were sitting on the rug, working on a puzzle together.

Hearing the door, Julian dropped his puzzle piece and rushed over.

He grabbed my freezing hands, his brows furrowing with deep concern.

"Chloe, why are you so cold? Weren't you only supposed to be in there for two hours? Why did the guard take so long?"

"Summer, you took it too far this time."

Summer stuck out her tongue, completely unbothered.

"Oops, I forgot to tell the guard! But look, Chloe made it back totally fine on her own, didn't she?"

She strolled over and looked me up and down.

"And you didn't even cry this time! Looks like you really aren't afraid of the dark, or of being left behind anymore."

Julian pulled me into his arms.

His body heat seeped through his shirt. Once, that warmth could soothe all my fears in a heartbeat.

He sighed, resting his chin against my forehead, his voice laced with pride and indulgence.

"Chloe, you did so well. See? Even if I go off the grid for a bit, you can handle things on your own."

"Now I can finally feel at ease whenever I have to go on business trips."

I didn't pull away. I just let him hold me.

"I'm tired. I want to take a shower," I murmured.

Julian let go immediately, gently cupping my cheek.

"Okay. I'll go brew some ginger tea to warm you up."

When I came out of the bathroom, Julian was sitting by the edge of the bed with a steaming mug.

He blew on it spoon by spoon, feeding it to me.

I drank it in silence, then lay down, turning my back to him.

He pressed a goodnight kiss against my forehead.

The next day, Lucas sent over the digital copy of the divorce agreement.

I checked the division of assets carefully.

Aside from my own personal savings, I didn't ask for a single penny of Julian's money or a single square foot of this house.

I printed out the paperwork and signed my name.

Then I scheduled a courier pickup to send it back to Lucas for filing tomorrow.

When it was all done, I looked at the clean desk, my heart surprisingly still.

On the third morning, I was washing my face at the sink.

Out of habit, I reached for the shelf where I always kept my wedding ring, but my hand hit empty air.

That ring had been custom-made by a French designer Julian hired, engraved with my initials.

I had always treasured it, taking it off carefully even just to wash my hands for fear of scuffing it.

I searched the bathroom. Nothing.

I even dropped to my knees, shining my phone's flashlight under the vanity gaps.

Still nothing.

Walking into the living room, I saw Julian sitting on the couch watching the morning news.

My phone chimed. It was an Instagram story from Summer, visible only to me.

The photo showed a sparkling diamond ring wedged right at the edge of the sink drain.

Her caption read: "Oops! Accidentally swept someone's precious treasure down the drain. Exposure Therapy Phase 3: Losing what matters most. Wonder if she'll throw a tantrum and cry?"