Chapter 2

The sound of the door slamming made my ears ring.

I looked down at the wedding dress I was wearing and suddenly found it absurd.

Just a second ago, I had been wearing it, imagining a future with Viktor.

The next second, it became evidence of his calculation against me.

I yanked off my veil and tore the dress apart.

Lace, beads, white fabric scattered all over the floor—

just like the seven years of sincerity I had poured into this relationship, now crushed to pieces.

After who knows how long, I finally picked up my phone with trembling hands and sent a message to someone I hadn’t contacted in years.

[Dad, I agree.]

He replied almost instantly.

[Didn’t you say you couldn’t let go of Viktor? What about your child?]

I stared at those words, my eyes stinging, my fingers shaking so badly I could barely type.

[I’ll be a good mother, without father.]

That tiny life, discovered just two weeks ago—

was supposed to be my surprise for Viktor after the wedding.

But now, there was no need anymore.

The moment I walked in, I saw Viktor sitting on the couch.

When he saw me, he looked completely unsurprised.

“Done making a scene? I knew you wouldn’t be willing to divorce.”

“I’ll give you 100,000 a month from now on.”

I didn’t respond. I simply took out the divorce agreement I had prepared in advance and placed it gently on the coffee table.

“Sign it.”

Viktor paused.

He lowered his gaze to the document, his expression darkening visibly.

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it says.”

My voice was calm.

“Divorce.”

He stared at me, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.

“Not enough money?”

“Fine. I’ll add another 100,000.”

“200,000 a month. That should be enough, right?”

He leaned back into the couch, his tone arrogant like he was granting charity.

“You wouldn’t even earn this much in a year working yourself to death at the firm.”

Listening to him, I suddenly wanted to laugh.

So in his eyes, the reason I asked for a divorce wasn’t because seven years of love had been manipulated.

Not because my future had been destroyed.

Not because he had trampled me into the dirt for Celina but simply because the price wasn’t right.

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and looked at him calmly.

“No need.”

After saying that, I walked past him toward the bedroom.

Behind me, his voice suddenly rose with anger he couldn’t suppress:

“Leona, don’t be ungrateful!”

“You’ve lost your job. If you leave me, are you planning to become homeless in California?!”

“Who else would want a woman like you with nothing?”

My steps paused slightly, my fists tightening.

Seeing my silence, his tone grew colder, as if he was certain I couldn’t leave him.

“If you walk out that door today, even if you beg me on your knees in the future, I won’t remarry you.”

With my back to him, tears still fell despite myself.

Beg him?

Over the years, I had begged him countless times.

Begged him to spend my birthday with me.

Begged him to meet my parents.

Begged him not to always take Celina’s side.

Begged him not to leave me to carry everything alone.

But from now on I would never beg again.

---

The next morning, when I woke up, Viktor was already gone.

The divorce agreement on the coffee table—

had been torn to pieces.

Just like the wedding dress that night.

Completely shattered.

I stood there for a long time, until my phone suddenly vibrated.

It was Celina.

[Leona, my partner inauguration ceremony is tomorrow. You must come.]

Right after that, another photo popped up.

In the picture, Viktor stood behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder, his expression gentle.

[After all, if you don’t come, who am I supposed to show off to?]