Chapter 4

Silas went pale for a moment. He clearly didn't remember, or perhaps he'd never even bothered to glance at the household accounts.

In his mind, he'd earned more and more money over the years.

He paid the household bills, the mortgage, and even my credit card, so he assumed all of it belonged to him.

He'd forgotten those early years when his company was in crisis and I supported this household.

Once I'd exposed him, Silas's face darkened.

"Vivian! You haven't worked a day since you married me. Where could you have gotten the money?"

"And what about ten years ago? When your company was in trouble, who saved you?!"

He froze.

"Vivian, are you going to hold the past over my head forever?

"Haven't you spent enough over the years to cover the price of this house?!"

His face turned livid as he berated me. "You ignore everything I've done for you and throw this in my face instead. I'm truly disappointed in you. We can talk when you recognize your mistake!"

With that, he snatched up his coat, wrapped an arm around Elowen's waist, and slammed the door behind them.

The moment the door closed, the living room went quiet.

I scoffed and called my secretary. "Reduce Silas's order allocation, restrict his supplies, and withdraw our resources step by step."

I was beginning to look forward to seeing his face when he finally realized there was no way back.

I told the staff to pick up the slippers Elowen had kicked off and stuff them, along with everything that belonged to Silas, into trash bags.

Trash belonged at the dump.

Over the next two days, I listed the house with a real estate agent and had everything I'd accumulated over the years packed and moved out.

Maisie sent over the first draft of the divorce papers. As I read them, I couldn't suppress a smile.

She'd worked for me for years, and it showed. The draft was thorough and flawless.

The day the draft was ready, Silas came back.

He surveyed the empty villa, satisfaction filling his eyes. "Vivian, I see you've finally come to your senses.

"In a few days, you and Elowen can sign a property transfer agreement. She's young. If she moves in without owning anything, she may start overthinking it.

"Don't worry. I won't treat you unfairly. You'll always be my wife in name."

I scoffed at his offer.

An empty title. Who would want it?

When I didn't argue, Silas finally gave me a proper look. His expression shifted.

I wore a black suit and light makeup. I looked nothing like the woman I'd been three days earlier.

He walked over and stroked my face suggestively. "I see Elowen finally got under your skin.

"Since you've finally learned to behave, I can give you a proper reward tonight."

I dodged his hand in disgust and pointed to the agreement on the table.

My refusal displeased him. "What is this?" he demanded.

He skimmed a few lines, his frown deepening, then slammed the papers onto the table.

"Have you lost your mind?"

He stared at me in disbelief. "You want half the equity in my company?

"Vivian, you've lived off me for years without earning a single cent. What gives you the nerve to demand half?

"Wake up. Before you involve an attorney, think about what leverage you actually have.

"If you want a divorce, fine. I won't stop you. But you won't get a cent of my assets. You're a full-time wife with no income. How do you plan to fight me?"

Although I'd already given up on him, his coldness and selfishness still shocked me.

Back then, I chose to stay home and tend to our household because I could not bear to watch him toil so hard.

Now that decision had become his excuse to throw me out.

Silas sneered. "Ten years. I've supported you for ten years.

"The house you live in, the car you drive, the card you use. Didn't I pay for all of them?

"And now you want half? Don't be greedy, Vivian.

"And once you leave me, who would want a used woman who cannot stand on her own two feet?"

That was all our ten-year marriage meant to him.

In that case, I was done showing him mercy.

I called my secretary in front of him. "It's time, Layla.

"Announce that we're terminating all cooperation with Silas."