Chapter 2

It wasn't until the funeral was almost over that Jackson finally showed up.

While everyone else was dressed in solemn black, Mia stood behind Jackson wearing heavy makeup and a flashy, bright designer dress.

Jackson squeezed out a few fake tears and walked up to me. "Chloe, I’m so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Mom."

I slapped him across the face. Hard.

"If you hadn't given my ticket to your 'bro', would I have missed my mother’s final moments?"

"She died waiting for me!"

Jackson stiffened. He glanced at the surrounding relatives, his face turning red with embarrassment as he hissed in a low voice:

"There are people watching! Give me some respect!"

"Besides, your mom had terminal cancer. She was going to die sooner or later anyway. Even if I gave you the ticket, you might not have made it in time!"

Mia stepped out from behind him, patting my shoulder with a patronizing smile. "Chloe, you need to understand your husband. He was just doing his job. We all came to the funeral to show our respect, isn't that enough?"

"And don't blame Jackson for the ticket. I’m a blunt person, so I’ll just say it—I really had to see that concert."

"We just didn't expect your mom to go so fast. She just... died."

Hearing her words, I swung my hand and slapped her across the face too. "Get the hell out! Don't dirty this place!"

Mia clutched her cheek, stumbling backward. She looked at Jackson with tearful, innocent eyes.

"Jackson, look at your wife! What does she mean by calling me dirty? She’s insane! If you're a real man, hit her back!"

Jackson hesitated. This place was filled with my family and relatives. If he dared to raise a hand against me here, he wouldn't make it out of the door in one piece.

Instead, he stepped in front of Mia, shielding her. "Chloe, Mia is just honest. She didn't mean any harm. It's totally inappropriate of you to hit her in public like this! Apologize to her right now!"

"Apologize?" I grabbed a wooden folding chair nearby and hurled it straight at them.

Seeing that I was actually trying to hurt them, Jackson grabbed Mia’s hand and ran out of the funeral home, screaming back at me, "You crazy bitch! You've lost your mind! We didn't kill your mother! Why are you taking it out on us?"

After they fled, some relatives whispered among themselves, and my dad looked deeply embarrassed.

I finished the service with a cold, expressionless face.

When I finally returned to the island and opened the door to our apartment, a strong smell of food hit my nose.

In the kitchen, Jackson was cooking with Mia.

Mia saw me first. She "accidentally" dipped her finger into the boiling pot.

"Ouch! It’s burning, it’s burning!"

She immediately grabbed Jackson’s ears with both hands. "Quick, blow on my fingers! It hurts!"

Their bodies were practically pressed together. Jackson froze when he saw me.

Mia tilted her head, giving me a smug look. "Oh! Chloe, you're back?"

"Heh. If I had come back any later, would you two be in my bed already?" I snarled, my teeth clenched.

Jackson’s face darkened. He pulled Mia’s hands away from his ears. "Chloe, can you not be so petty? Mia knew you were grieving, so she bought groceries and wanted to cook you a nice dinner to apologize. She just burned her hand. If you can't appreciate it, fine, but stop slandering us!"

I looked at him coldly. "Accidentally burned her hand while cooking for me? Or did she come here to mark her territory in my kitchen?"

Jackson’s eyes narrowed. "Chloe, look at Mia. Even after you slapped her at the funeral, she didn't hold a grudge. If you were even half as sensible as her..."

"Yeah, I’m not sensible," I interrupted. "Since that’s the case, let’s get a divorce!"

With that, I threw the divorce papers Ethan had helped me draft onto the dining table.

Jackson looked at me in disbelief. "Just because I didn't let you board the ferry to maintain professional boundaries? Chloe, I’m not signing this!"

He pulled a document out of his briefcase and slammed it down.

"Look at this, Chloe! A special commendation letter from corporate headquarters!"

Jackson looked incredibly smug.