Chapter 2

When Edward returned, he had already changed back into his usual cheap t-shirt. Meanwhile, I sat frozen on the couch, rainwater still dripping steadily from my hair.

Edward frowned the moment he saw me. Grabbing a dry towel, he hurried over and began gently drying my hair. "Dry yourself up. You can catch a cold, you know" he scolded softly.

His voice was low, laced with what sounded like genuine heartache. When I looked up, his concerned gaze were entirely focused on me.

A bitter smile touched my lips. While clinging to one last, desperate thread of hope, I said, "Edward... the landlord told me the apartment was already sold."

His hands stilled for a fraction of a second. Then, slipping into a soothing tone, he murmured, "I know I don't have much right now. But I promise, once I make some real money, I'll buy you a big, beautiful house."

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I pressed, refusing to let him go.

He stared at me in apparent confusion for a long moment before finally shaking his head.

Deep disappointment washed over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, letting out a long sigh. When I opened them again, I raised my hand and swung a sharp slap. Soon, the room echoed.

"You're fucking rich, Edward," I choked out. "And you gave this very apartment to Cassandra. Why? Why would you lie to me?"

The words tasted bitter as hot tears began to stream down my face.

Edward's head was turned from the force of the blow, but he couldn't hide the fleeting flash of panic in his eyes.

He slowly rubbed his reddening cheek.

"So, you know."

Just like that, his expression smoothed into chilling indifference.

"Wendy, I just lacked security," he rationalized smoothly. "I needed to know you weren't just with me for my money."

Then, his tone shifted abruptly. "Aren't you pleasantly surprised?"

For a second, my mind blanked. "What?"

He actually chuckled. "Your husband is a wealthy man. Shouldn't you be thrilled? You'll never have to struggle again. This is a good thing for you, so why are you crying?"

He reached out to brush away my tears, but I jerked my head away.

Unfazed, Edward dropped his hand. "Alright, fine. So this apartment is gone. I'll just buy you a new one. Plus, you don't have to pay rent anymore. Don't act like a victim when you're the one coming out ahead here, Wendy."

I stared up at his arrogant, condescending face, and a hollow laugh escaped my throat.

"You gave Cassandra a house... but you charged ME rent to live in this place. And you told me, that I AM the one acting like a victim?"

Edward’s face darkened. He pulled a bank card from his pocket and threw it directly at my face.

"Ah. I should have known you were just a gold digger after all," he sneered. "Take the money. This conversation is over."

I opened my mouth to reply, but his phone started ringing. He answered it right in front of me, and Cassandra’s whiny voice drifted through the speaker. "Edward? I think I have a fever... I feel so awful."

He immediately turned to leave, but I blocked his path. "Tell her to call a doctor herself," I said coldly. "You have money, don't you? Just transfer her some cash and move past it."

He froze. Then, with a harsh shove, he pushed me out of his way.

"Stop being so unreasonable, Wendy," he snapped. "Cassie is sick. Whatever your problem is, it can wait until she feels better."

I crashed into the furniture, a dull ache shooting up my leg. I didn't get up immediately, just sat there watching his back as he walked out the door without a second glance.

It took a long time before I finally gathered the strength to pull myself up. Limping into the study, I sat at the desk. With trembling fingers, I typed with the keyboard to end all this absurdity:

"Divorce Agreement."