Chapter 3

Cheryl was wearing a delicate white dress, draped in Julian's oversized designer coat.

Her cheeks were rosy and glowing. There wasn't the slightest hint of blood loss on her face.

I had barely slept since the procedure. I looked like a corpse next to her.

"Morning, Chloe," she purred, stepping inside without an invitation. Her gaze swept over the messy living room.

"Julian went to the office for an early board meeting. I just happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd check on you."

She walked over to the sofa, glanced at the shredded wedding portrait on the floor, and clicked her tongue softly.

"Oh my, what is all this? Even if you're jealous, you shouldn't take it out on a picture."

I stared at her coldly. "Get out."

Cheryl acted as if she hadn't heard a word. Instead, she turned on her heel and headed straight toward my mother-in-law's bedroom.

"I heard the old lady has an imperial green jade bracelet. A family heirloom, right? Julian told me he'd give it to me eventually."

She pushed the door open.

I followed right behind her.

Cheryl had already opened the jewelry box on the vanity.

She picked up the translucent green jade bangle and slid it onto her wrist.

"It really is stunning. Don't you think so, Chloe?"

"Take it off," I said, my voice dropping dangerously.

Cheryl pouted. "Don't be so petty. She was going to give it to me sooner or later anyway. What's the harm in trying it on?"

"I said, take it off."

Seeing me reach out to snatch it, Cheryl suddenly jerked her arm and let go.

The heavy jade slipped from her fingers, striking the hardwood floor with a sharp crack, shattering into three pieces.

For an instant she looked pleased. Then she screamed.

"Ah! Chloe, you're hurting me!"

She clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with dramatic horror.

"How could you smash her bracelet on purpose? That's an heirloom!"

I looked down at the broken jade.

It was the thing my mother-in-law had cherished most in her life.

I raised my arm and slapped Cheryl with everything I had left.

The force knocked her sideways onto the bed, blood seeping from the corner of her split lip.

"What right do you have to touch her things?"

I lunged forward, grabbing a handful of her hair.

"You carved a tiny scratch into your own leg just to steal life-saving blood and murder someone. Do you actually sleep at night?"

Cheryl screamed, flailing hysterically.

"Let go of me! Help! Julian, save me!"

Julian burst through the front door and bounded up the stairs.

The moment he saw the scene in the bedroom, his expression twisted into pure rage.

"Chloe! Are you out of your mind?!"

He shoved me with brutal force.

My back slammed into the sharp edge of the nightstand. A sickening ache shot through my spine, tearing at my fresh surgical wounds. Warm blood began to trickle down my thighs again.

Julian pulled Cheryl into his arms, checking her face frantically.

"Cheryl, are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

Cheryl buried her face in his chest, sobbing hysterically.

"Julian, I only wanted to see your mother's bracelet. Chloe smashed it on the floor and came after me."

Julian saw the shards of jade on the floor, then turned to glare at me, his eyes burning with fury.

"You really are a venomous bitch, aren't you?"

"Cursing my mother wasn't enough for you? Now you're laying hands on Cheryl? Did my mother spoil you so much that you actually forgot your place?!"

I braced myself against the wall to stay upright.

"Julian, are you blind?"

"Do you really not know how that tiny scratch on her leg got there?"

Julian let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"Cheryl cut herself peeling an apple for me! And what about you? What are you good for besides throwing tantrums and destroying things?"

"Apologize to Cheryl right now. Otherwise, we're getting a divorce today."

I looked at him.

This was the man I had loved for three years. He stood beside another woman, without even asking once if I was bleeding, if I was in pain.

A wave of bitter nausea rose in my throat.

"Fine," I said.

Julian froze. "What did you say?"

"I said, let's get divorced."

I walked over to the desk, pulled open the drawer, and took out the divorce settlement papers.

"I've already signed it."

I threw the papers at his feet.

"Julian Vance. Take your trash and get the hell out of my sight."

Julian stared down at the documents, his jaw tightening dangerously.

"What kind of pathetic game are you playing now, Chloe?"

"Threatening me with divorce? You think I'm going to beg you to stay?"

He grabbed Cheryl's hand and pulled her toward the door.

"Let's go, Cheryl. Let's see how many days she lasts before crawling back."

At the doorway, Julian paused without turning around.

"Tomorrow morning, ten sharp. Meet me outside the courthouse. Let's see if you'll actually file."

I gripped the edge of the desk, my voice steady as stone.

"Don't worry. I'll be there."