Chapter 2.

"Right..." Easton trailed off as he let go of Clarissa, quickly bending over to grab his pants.

Once dressed, he turned to look at Clarissa with nothing but pure hatred in his eyes. "You're right about one thing, Clarissa. I still love Mia, and it will remain that way."

His unconcealed anger swirled in his eyes. Clarissa's lips parted slightly, her cry caught at the back of her throat.

Shocked? Surprised?

No, she wasn't surprised. She should've been, but for the past three years of marriage to Easton, he had made it clear to her that he would never have anything to do with her. They didn't even share the same bedroom. There was never a time they sat together to discuss things as a married couple.

Easton avoided her like a plague, and now, his words didn't come as a shock.

The fact that she'd always known she was in a one-sided marriage made Clarissa rethink her choices.

'Was he worth it?' A voice whispered in her head, taunting her until it faded into nothingness, leaving her with nothing but the reminder of her bad decisions.

Easton turned his back on her, walking toward the other couch where his bag and suit lay.

When he was still with Mia, Clarissa loved him from the sidelines, hoping he might one day spare her a glance. Mia had always been the obstacle to her happiness. But now, Clarissa couldn't help but wonder, where had she gone wrong?

Her only crime was falling in love with him. Losing herself, begging him for his love. But not anymore.

"Easton, let's get a divorce." Clarissa blurted out.

Easton froze, his body going rigid. His back was to her, but she could see the tension in his shoulders.

Her breath became shallow as she stared at Easton's back.

The weight of her own words hit her like a storm, leaving her breathless. Her heart hammered against her chest, thousands of doubts rushing through her mind.

'what if I'm making a mistake?' 'What if this is the end of everything??'

The thought of truly losing Easton—even though he was never hers in the beginning, was like a nightmare.

Those words, as heavy as it was also brought tears to her eyes. Not believing she would be the one saying the word 'divorce' to the one man who stole her breath during their first meeting. He had been the man she'd crushed on for so long... but, tragically, he was her sister's boyfriend.

A thick moment of silence reigned, filled with dread as Clarissa anticipated his reply. The silence seemed to stretch, suffocating her. For a brief moment, she wondered if she had the power to see this through.

'What if I'm giving up too soon??' 'What if I can't survive without him??'

The fear of walking away from the life she had known made her heart tremble. Her stomach twisted in knots. She couldn't imagine a life without Easton in it. Her doubts gnawed at her rationality, each thought more frightening than the last.

Easton scoffed, his expression mocking, as if she had just told the most absurd joke. "Divorce, you say, Clarissa??" He fully turned to face her.

Mockery danced in his eyes as he approached her again. "You want a divorce?? That's the new plan now??"

Clarissa cowered into the chair, clutching her sleeve as if it would shield her from him. His furious eyes seem to burn into her skin.

Easton slammed his hand on the couch and Clarissa flinched, her face turned pale as Easton barked into her face. "You want a divorce after ruining my relationship with Mia?? You want a divorce after years of torment??"

Years of torment??

That statement from Easton left Clarissa puzzled. For as far as she could remember, marriage with Easton didn't smile on her either. It hasn't been a walk in the park for her. She was at the receiving end of his endless abuse, torment, hateful speeches, and his unruly behavior. She was the wife who faced neglect and rejection from him. How, then, was he the one who had been tormented??

Easton grabbed her jaw, his fingers digging into her skin. Clarissa's tears welled up and her anger burned in her eyes. "You want divorce??" He sneered. " You'll get it." With that, he flicked her face as if her touch would contaminate his finger.

Clarissa whimpered. "Just like that?"

Easton's face turned cold. "You wanted the divorce, woman. Besides, your time here and in my life has long been overdue. Mia is back now, and she'll take her rightful place." He snarled at Clarissa in disgust. "All the things you've enjoyed—the fame, the wealth, the name—everything belongs to Mia. You stole everything from her!"

"I did not!" Clarissa cried out, her body trembling with Frustration and exhaustion. "I never stole her place. You make it sound like what happened three years ago was all my fault!"

Another loud slap echoed in the dimmed living room, throwing Clarissa's face to the side. Her left cheek stung, making tears gather even more in the brim of her eyes. Blood dripped from the corner of her lips.

Holding onto her cheek, she turned to face Easton with disbelief laced on her face.

Easton pointed at her, his voice came out in a low growl. "It was all your fault, Clarissa!" He snapped! "You snatched me from Mia with your despicable ways! You made Mia suffer and forced her into the hospital, making her career suffer too. But thank Goodness For mercy and to the shame of you—she is finally back! Watch how I kick your worthless ass out of my house!!"

Clarissa's eyes turned hollow as she chuckled bitterly, mocking her naivety. This was the same man she sacrificed so much for. The man she loved with all her heart. She had faced humiliation, blame, and curses alone with a smile on her face, thinking she would finally win him over.

'He is mine now.' So she had thought. But she was dead wrong. He had never been hers, and he would never be. His heart will always belong right where Mia is.

She worked her butt off as a full housewife, she had given up on her dreams, her future for this man. She abandoned her college education and her dreams of becoming a famous fashion designer. All for him!!

Meanwhile, Mia had succeeded—becoming a famous actress. Clarissa had spent her days cleaning his house, washing dishes, and acting the role of a responsible stay-at-home wife, tending to all of his every need and putting up with his moods!

Now, her request for a divorce had been dismissed with mockery accompanied by a tight slap.

'Again, Was he worth it??' That voice in her head echoed, a dull ache settling in her chest.

"By tomorrow, you should be ready to entertain guests—my family, your family, and of course, Mia. We'll be hosting a welcome party for her here, so do yourself a favor and play the dutiful wife," Easton said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "By the end of the day tomorrow, the divorce papers will be served to you."

With that, he turned his back on her once more, exiting the room.

His footsteps echoed until they completely faded into a distance, just as she slumped onto the floor, her body going limp in defeat. Tears streamed down her face as realization began to sink in.

What was the point in sticking with a man like Easton when he was unfaithful? Abusive and filled with animalistic behaviors??

They always said the one who loved more in a marriage was the one who suffered the most. And now, it was finally over.

To Easton, she was nothing—just a worthless woman who had never deserved him in the first place.

Almost immediately, her phone buzzed. Her shaky hands reached for it, and her stomach twisted when she saw the text from Mia:

{You've held onto Easton long enough. Now, it's my turn. Move out of my way, or suffer the consequences.}