Chapter 3

I grabbed my phone, strode over to Harvey, and shoved the screen in his face.

"Care to explain?" I demanded, looking straight into his eyes.

Harvey was holding an ice pack against Mia's arm. He didn't even look up at me, simply saying dismissively, "Jenny, I forgot to give you a heads-up."

"I decided to give Mia co-authorship. I already promised her. You love me so much, you'll definitely do me this tiny favor, right?" He spoke in a tone that left zero room for argument.

"This is three years of my blood, sweat, and tears. Why should I hand her half the credit?"

"How can you say it's solely your achievement?" Harvey finally looked up, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "This is the result of the entire Apex team's hard work. Mia is the socialite author our group is going to heavily promote next. I've poured astronomical resources into her, but she just needs that one chance to make a splash."

"So, you're using my work to generate hype for her? Using me as her stepping stone?" My voice trembled.

Harvey completely lost his patience. "Jenny, don't be ungrateful. Which one of your past books didn't hit number one on the bestseller list because of the money I dumped into marketing? Without me, you're nothing. Now I'm asking you to use one book to lift up a newcomer. What's the big deal?"

I stood up and took a step closer to him. "The contract clearly states that the copyright belongs solely to me. You have no right to add anyone's name to the author section."

One of the shareholders tried to smooth things over. "Jenny, Harvey's decisions are for the company's best interest. After all, if the company does well, your books will sell better, right? Don't sweat the small stuff."

But I couldn't hear a single word. I just stared blankly at Harvey.

At that moment, the man I had lived with for five years felt like a complete stranger.

Mia huddled in Harvey's arms, playing the victim. Harvey patted the back of her hand to comfort her, then glared at me coldly. "We'll deal with this tomorrow."

I had seen his stalling tactics too many times.

Ignoring the entire table, I grabbed my coat and bolted out the door.

The truth was, the authorization contract between me and Apex expired today. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day we renewed it.

Originally, I figured that even if I divorced Harvey, I'd still be willing to let him publish my books.

But now, that was off the table.

I would never hand my work over to someone who didn't respect it.

Outside, the heavy rain poured down in sheets. The butler blocked my path at the door.

"Madam, sir gave strict orders. You cannot leave."

"Move."

The butler stood his ground.

I stood frozen at the door for five minutes, chilled to the bone. Harvey's "we'll deal with this tomorrow" was just an excuse to trap me here and force me to cave!

I spun around and stormed back into the living room. The shareholders had tactfully vanished.

Harvey was lounging on the sofa, Mia nestled securely in his arms.

"What gives you the right to do this!"

"That is my life's work!"

Harvey didn't even shift his posture, his tone entirely indifferent. "I'll say it again. I'm just borrowing your fame. Once Mia blows up, I'll take her name off the next edition."

Mia sobbed, "Jenny, it's all my fault. Don't be mad at Harvey. How about I just quit writing and give the book back to you... I just saw how stressed Harvey gets running the company and wanted to help him share the burden..."

"This has nothing to do with you."

But Harvey pulled her closer, shielding her like a precious treasure.

He looked up at me with the kind of gaze one gives a hysterical madwoman. "Launching Mia is a corporate strategy. Dial back the jealousy."

"I remember making myself crystal clear. Do you just not understand English?!"

"Right," he stood up slowly. "Tonight, Mia is the hostess here. Since you're acting crazy, maybe you should go outside and cool off."

I pulled the copy of the newly signed divorce papers out of my bag and hurled it straight at his face.

"I was planning to leave tonight anyway. Now, we don't even need to pretend to be civil."

The sharp edge of the paper slashed across Harvey's cheek.

"Playing hardball, are we?" He touched his cheek and sneered. "Since you don't want to be Mrs. Harvey anymore, I'm freezing all your cards and accounts right now."

He issued a direct order to the butler.

"Throw her out."

The butler stood at the door, hesitating.

Harvey pointed at me, enunciating every word. "I have already dissolved my marriage with this woman. She is trespassing and harassing my wife and me. Drag her out. Tell her to get lost."

The butler had no choice but to march over and physically drag me out.

Harvey shouted from behind me, "Jenny, without me, you won't even be able to rent a closet in Manhattan. I'll be waiting for you to come crawling back in tears tomorrow. As for that book, consider it your wedding gift to Mia."

Minutes ago I had been held hostage; now I was being shoved out into the storm. I stumbled and fell hard into a muddy puddle.

I propped myself up, clutching my agonizing stomach, and limped toward the slick street.

Just then, an out-of-control taxi careened around the corner, hydroplaning wildly as it barreled straight toward me.