Chapter 15

Reece nodded. “Exactly. He knew what he was doing. He manipulated me into selling my assets.”

I had earned every dime and every asset by sacrificing my blood, sweat, and tears. But Rowan could get it all by simply getting me to sign a piece of paper.

Selling my assets… my ass, I didn’t even get a dime from him!

Franca straightened her posture and met my gaze. “However, we can get those assets back if we can prove that you sold them under duress.”

She continued, “Fortunately, the messages he sent, especially the threats, will help strengthen our case.”

I clenched my fists, a hint of anger flickering in my eyes. “Do whatever it takes. He doesn’t deserve a penny of what I’ve worked for.”

Reece lifted the corners of his mouth. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Cole. We’re not called the best legal team for nothing,” he said confidently. “We’ll make sure you get what was yours.”

After discussing all of the matters, the attorneys promised to take care of my court schedule and to learn more about my case.

“Please contact us immediately if Mr. Fell threatens you again, ma’am.” Reece handed me his business card. “See you later, Mrs. Cole.”

“Thank you for your time, sir,” I replied.

As the lawyers left the room, Arthur ushered them to the gate, leaving Zephyr and me alone in the study.

The room was silent for a moment before I opened my mouth. “How did I ever end up marrying a man like him? I’m so stupid.”

But honestly, I knew exactly why.

He had always treated me with kindness and showered me with so many beautiful gifts.

Even though I had to admit that Rowan sometimes couldn’t handle his anger very well, at least he had never hit me back then.

But maybe he had done that to trick me into marrying him. He pretended to be perfect so he could trap me in his cage.

“There’s no point in dwelling on the past,” Zephyr said. “What matters is what you do now to fight back and not let him control you again.”

I sighed and leaned back on the couch. “I just can’t stop thinking about how blind I’ve been. Maybe it would be better if I couldn’t fall in love at all.”

That way, I wouldn’t have to suffer for love.

Zephyr was suddenly quiet, his eyes fixed on me as if he was weighing his words carefully. “Love isn’t the problem, Samantha. It’s the people who don’t know how to appreciate it.”

I started to open my mouth, but Zephyr had already gotten up from the couch and walked over to his desk. “I have something for you.”

“What is it?”

Zephyr took papers out of his desk. “A new movie script.” He approached me and handed me the papers. “I think this script is suitable for you.”

I hesitated as I took the thick stack of papers from his hands. The title, Shattered Bond, was bold and striking on the cover.

“What’s it about?” I asked quietly, looking up at him.

“It’s about a single mother trying to rebuild her life after leaving her abusive husband,” Zephyr explained, his voice soft but firm. “She’s raising her five-year-old daughter and doing everything she can to give her a happy life.”

My grip on the script tightened. “It sounds… so close to home,” I murmured.

The story was similar to my own life—the abusive husband, the desperation of the main character, but unfortunately, I didn’t have a daughter.

“This is your ticket to fight back, Samantha,” Zephyr explained. “Through this movie, you can show your fans, the world, what your husband did to you.”

One of the most powerful forces in the world was women’s empathy. They would support a woman who had gone through hell without being asked, especially if the story could resonate with women who had faced similar struggles.

This story could give courage to women who were trapped in abusive marriages but were too afraid to leave. It could also be more meaningful if the actress understood the struggle and could relate to the character.

I flipped through the pages, catching glimpses of scenes that were all too familiar: screaming at each other, quiet nights filled with tears and bruises, and the constant feeling of being unworthy.

“Many women experience all of this,” Zephyr comforted me. “You are not the only woman who has ever made a bad choice. You are not alone, Samantha.”

Therefore, I didn’t have to be afraid. I didn’t have to feel like a fool when the real problem was my abusive husband, never me.

“I hope you want to try this movie. But if it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to force it,” Zephyr said. “The choice is yours.”

I thought about it for a while before I said, “When do the auditions start?”

Zephyr smiled when he heard my question. “A month from now. Is that too soon?”

I shook my head. “That’s enough.”

I didn’t want him to postpone the audition just for me, so I would just have to try my best to practice my acting skills again.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t focus on practicing while the court hearing haunted me. Two days later, Reece informed me that the Nocturnal Order would have my divorce hearing in two weeks.

“You don’t have to worry, Mrs. Cole,” Reece said. “My team and I will do our best to win the trial. All you have to do is sit in the courtroom and follow our instructions.”

I replied over the phone, “Thanks for your hard work, Mr. Lawson.”

I ended the call with Reece and put the phone down on the table before falling back onto the bed. The stack of papers was scattered around my bed, words highlighted in color.

My eyes stared at the ceiling, feeling both anxious and depressed at having to think about two things at once. Still, it was better than feeling stressed about watching my ex-husband sleep with another woman every week.

Knock. Knock.

I turned my head when I heard the knock at the door. I felt reluctant but still stood up from my bed. When I opened the door, I saw Layla and Ashley standing there, carrying a tray of muffin cakes.

Layla smiled at me and said, “Ashley and I are trying to make muffin cakes for the New Year. Would you like to taste them?”