Chapter 3

That evening, our living room was packed with people.

Chloe's parents, her younger brother, her best friends, and a few of her college roommates—everyone I could round up on short notice was there.

Suddenly, the electronic lock chimed from the front door.

I signaled for everyone to be quiet and flicked off the main lights.

When Chloe pushed the door open, she was greeted by a dining table bathed in romantic candlelight, scattered with red rose petals, and a balloon banner on the wall that spelled out I LOVE YOU.

And there I was, holding a massive bouquet of red roses, down on one knee.

"Happy tenth anniversary, baby," I said softly. "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. Can you forgive me?"

Chloe froze in the doorway, paralyzed.

Her lips were swollen, her lipstick smudged across her cheek.

Her stockings were completely gone.

And beneath the hem of her loose jacket, a man's rough hand was still resting on her waist, casually squeezing.

In a split second, all the color drained from her face.

Behind me, the room full of friends and family gasped. The lights flicked on, exposing everything.

I stared at her in fake shock. "What... what are you doing?"

Recovering from her initial panic, Chloe looked down at me, her expression turning into pure contempt. "What does it look like?"

"What, Sean? Did you really think I was going to slap myself and beg for your forgiveness?"

"Look in the mirror. You're not worth it."

Brock stepped out from behind her with a smirk.

"Hey, Sean, right? I like your wife. Name your price."

With that, Brock casually leaned down, smoothed the wrinkles on Chloe's skirt, and smiled at her. They acted as if getting caught in the act was the most casual thing in the world.

A wave of nausea hit me.

"You two have no shame. Bringing your affair right to my front door. You want a divorce? Fine."

I looked straight at Brock. "Give me your leg in exchange."

Brock burst out laughing. "Sean, oh Sean, you've got some nerve. I offered you cash out of pity because you've been rocking green horns for months, and now you want to act tough?"

"If Chloe hadn't begged me to take pity on you, who the hell would have hired a cripple like you as a security guard at my building?"

"You want my leg? Go ask around Miami and see if anyone dares lay a finger on me!"

Before I could reply, Chloe threw her arms around Brock's neck.

"Sean, just take the money and sign the papers. Don't make this ugly for everyone."

"Brock isn't just an executive. His family runs this town. Nobody messes with him."

I looked at their intertwined hands, then turned coldly toward Chloe's parents. "Is this how you raised your daughter?"

Hearing that, Chloe's mother marched forward. She had always looked down on me, convinced I was beneath her precious child.

"Watch your mouth! Keep it clean!"

"Look at how aggressive you are. You must treat my daughter like dirt behind closed doors! I told her ten years ago she was making a mistake marrying you!"

"Now that she's found someone who can actually provide for her, why can't you just let her go? You're so selfish, Sean, wanting to drag my girl through poverty for the rest of her life!"

Following her mother's lead, the rest of the relatives and friends avoided my gaze and chimed in.

"Come on, Sean, Chloe deserves better. Just let her go."

"He's offering you a settlement! You should be thanking them, not throwing a tantrum."

"Guess losing a leg made him lose his mind, too. Passing up a payday like that?"

Whispers and mocking chuckles filled the room.

My face burned with humiliation. "You people..."

"Enough, Sean," Chloe cut in smoothly. "Brock and I are truly in love."

"If I hadn't felt sorry for you ten years ago, do you really think I ever would have married you?"