Chapter 3

Even though I'd been a stay-at-home husband for years, I could still crush it at work.

I established a new company, moved into a new environment, and started a new chapter. Everything was heading in a better direction.

While I was consulting with my lawyer and preparing to file for divorce, Quinn called me, as if she hadn't done anything wrong. "When are you coming home? I can't sleep without you."

"Pop a sleeping pill then. If that doesn't work, go to a hotel with Oliver."

"Are you still holding that against me? I already told you that Oliver's just a friend. Besides, I've already swallowed my pride and asked you to come home. What more do you want?"

Her words grated on my ears.

This was who she had become. At some point, she had started believing that speaking to me in a commanding tone was what it meant to swallow her pride.

Quinn actually thought she could wipe the slate clean with just a couple of sentences. What a pipe dream.

I sneered. "Use your brain for once, Quinn. You're my wife, yet you snuck off to a hotel to play poker with your ex. Did you honestly think I wouldn't divorce you and just carry on as usual?"

"I already told you he's my ex-boyfriend. I only see him as a friend. I'm willing to forgive you for walking out on me, so stop making a fuss, okay?" she continued as self-righteously as ever.

At this point, calling her brainless felt like a compliment. "Shut up! Regardless, we're getting a divorce."

As soon as my words fell, Quinn's derisive chuckle echoed through the receiver. "Divorce? Do you really think you can stand on your own two feet now, Julian? If it weren't for my connections, do you think any of your company's suppliers and business partners would even know who you are?

"Think long and hard about this. If we really get divorced, I guarantee you'll never be able to hold your head up again; you'll end up so broke that you won't even be able to put food on your table!"

My heart turns to ice, and I hang up the phone.

After settling into my new job and arranging everything at the company, I instructed my lawyer to serve the divorce agreement. Then, I began rebuilding my own network.

Quinn's company had grown to where it was entirely because I had sacrificed my own connections to help her. Now, it was time to rekindle those relationships.

I drove home after a long, exhausting day, only to find Quinn at my doorstep. She appeared frail and pitiful, though her face seemed even more haggard than before.

"Are you sabotaging us, Julian? Why did all of Oliver's deals fall through today?" Her gaze was filled with rage, suspicion, and disappointment. "Do you have any idea how important his projects are to the company? If he can't deliver the goods on time, he'll have to pay a huge penalty! Hurry up and help him sort this out, or he'll really go bankrupt."

I was unfazed. I kept a straight face as I responded apathetically, "Get a grip, Ms. White. We're getting a divorce soon, so I have no obligation to help you. I thought you said I couldn't hold a candle to Oliver. In that case, he should handle this on his own."

Quinn froze for a moment. Clearly, she hadn't expected me to be this cold and aloof. "You're so childish! Can't you drop this? I've had enough!

"Do you think I'll regret it just because you're targeting Oliver? Let me make myself clear—don't even think about getting a divorce. I won't agree to it!"

My words had clearly infuriated Quinn. Her haggard face flushed crimson and paled.

Right then, her phone rang. "I've looked into your husband's recent hospital visit, Ms. White."

Quinn glanced at me, her expression peculiar. "I'm listening."

"Your husband suffered an acute asthma attack caused by a long-term allergic reaction to traditional medicinal herbs... He went under for three minutes and nearly died on the table!"