Chapter 1

I was just back from a prenatal checkup at the hospital, one foot barely inside the door.

Antony Delgado stopped ahead of me, his voice empty of any feeling.

"Candice Pruitt is back. Let's get divorced."

"All right." My answer came without hesitation, and Antony turned, frowning at me.

"I'll give you thirty million as compensation. Enough that you'll never want for anything the rest of your life."

"All right." One word again.

That one rattled him. He caught my wrist.

"You don't have any other conditions?"

I looked at him like a startled rabbit.

"Let me ask you something. You're sure you don't want the baby I'm carrying?"

...

His brow knotted tighter. He turned away sharply and bit out two words. "I'm sure."

I let out a soft breath, and before he could disappear from sight I said, "Don't worry. I'll move out as soon as I can, so it won't get in the way of Candice moving in."

Antony stopped short, turned, his face darker than before.

He came storming back like a gust of wind.

"Althea Mason, can't you at least make a scene?"

"If I did, would you not divorce me?" He'd backed me into a corner, and my eyes stung with heat.

My question seemed to hit somewhere raw in him.

He shook his head as he stepped back. "No."

I let out another long breath. This time he turned and walked into the bedroom without looking back.

After he left I went to the guest room. My things had been packed into there a long time ago.

Candice had come back a week earlier. I'd known this day was coming.

I'd packed my luggage early. I didn't have much—one suitcase was more than enough.

The next day we went to the county clerk's office. The moment the divorce papers were in my hand, Candice came over on Antony's arm.

"Lena, don't blame me. You two were the ones who wronged me first. I hadn't even left yet, and the two of you were already sleeping together."

"I'm back now. It's only right that you two divorce. Besides, Antony gave you plenty in support. You didn't come out short."

I gripped the strap of my bag, not looking at either of them, only nodding. "Right. I didn't come out short. I've got things to do, so I'll go."

I didn't wait for either of them to say anything more. I turned and left.

Candice and I had once been the closest of friends. Before she went abroad, one accident had put her in bed with Antony, and now that she was back, I was the one who should step aside.

Antony hadn't woken yet when I left the apartment. I brought my suitcase out too and left it in a locker at a nearby mall.

Now I was going to pick up my luggage.

I'd only walked a few steps when a text alert came through.

I glanced at it. It was from Antony: Why didn't you wait for me this morning?

I could almost feel a burning stare landing on my back.

I ignored him, didn't reply, and blocked him as I walked.

After picking up my luggage I decided to make a trip back to my hometown first. I was just about to get in the car when my phone suddenly rang. It was Antony, of all people.

I didn't answer the first time. He called again, as if he wouldn't stop until I picked up.

My phone rang over and over. People around me were staring.

Before I could block him, he called again.

I had no choice but to lower my head and answer. "Hello? Antony, what exactly do you want?"

There was a short silence on his end. Just when I thought he wouldn't speak, he suddenly opened his mouth again. "Come get the things the family bought for you. Now."

That tone, the same brutality as always.

"Those things are yours, not mine. I never used any of them. If they're an eyesore to you, just throw them out."

"Throw them out? Someone as fond of money as you—don't you know everything I bought is worth a fortune?"

The same venom he always had.

"Get your ass back here and take them."

He hung up right after. I sighed helplessly, and had no choice but to give up, for now, on going home.