Chapter 2

"What did you just say?! Say that again!"

Vivienne finally dropped what she was holding and stormed over. She jabbed a manicured finger into my chest.

"Chase Vance, who do you think you are? Say that again!"

I locked eyes with her and enunciated every single syllable:

"I said, Vivienne, we. Are. Over."

Vivienne froze in utter disbelief. Her pupils dilated, her mouth parted slightly, and her fists clenched at her sides.

"Chase! Have you lost your damn mind?!"

Brody stepped forward right on cue, putting on his best puppy-dog face.

"Vivienne, please don't fight. It's all my fault. I ruined your relationship. I'm so sorry!"

"Chase, I'll return the jewelry. I'll figure out my family's debt on my own. Even if we end up starving on the streets, that's just my fate."

Tears welled up in his eyes. Vivienne couldn't bear to see him like this. She pulled him into her arms and stroked his back.

"It's okay, Brody. Keep the jewelry. None of this is your fault."

Then she turned back to me, all warmth gone, replaced by pure venom.

"Chase, are you ever going to grow up? Brody already forgave you for earlier today! What more do you want?"

"Do you have a single shred of decency left in your miserable body?"

"He" forgave "me"?

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. The thief who stole millions from me was graciously granting me his forgiveness?

"He stole my property, and I'm supposed to thank him for forgiving me—"

Before I could finish, a sharp slap landed across my face, snapping my head to the side.

Vivienne glared at me, her voice screeching:

"You heartless bastard! You don't deserve to be my husband!"

The next second, she slammed the heavy door right in my face.

She locked me out of the very penthouse whose deed was under my name only.

If I hadn't taken a step back in time, the door would have broken my nose.

I could hear her breathing on the other side. She was waiting. She expected me to knock on the door, beg for mercy, and apologize like I had a thousand times before.

It had always been like this. No matter who started the fight, I was always the one to bow my head.

I had loved her so damn much. I chased her for three entire years. I confessed to her countless times before she finally agreed to date me.

To keep this relationship alive, I spoiled her rotten. If she asked for the moon, I would build a ladder to the sky. If she wanted something expensive, I would work myself to the bone to buy it for her.

I loved her and wanted her to be my lifelong partner. I indulged her every whim.

Yet in Vivienne's eyes, my devotion was nothing more than a cage, a shackle holding back her free spirit.

Fine. If my love and apologies were a cage to her, I was done holding the keys.

I turned around and walked down the hallway without looking back.

Behind me, the door clicked open. I knew Vivienne was cracking the door to give me an "out."

In the past, I would have rushed back with tail wagging, offering gifts and apologies just to earn her forgiveness.

Not anymore. I didn't need her forgiveness.

I didn't turn around. I walked away.