Chapter 2

Everyone thought Natalie was a crazy woman who was trying to climb the social ladder. A shameless woman.

Even her marriage certificate with Adrian had been locked away by the Carter family. She had no proof, and no one believed her. She was just a pawn.

The sunlight outside the villa was blinding. She quickly got into a subtle Maybach, shielded by Ezra.

Adrian sat with his legs crossed, glancing down at the documents without even lifting his head. He said irritably, "Nat, I'm very busy. Can you please behave yourself? I don't have the energy to bail you out anymore."

Yet, he was the reason for all of this.

Natalie laughed at his words. She was finally tired. She said, "Adrian, let's get a divorce!"

Upon hearing this, Adrian finally looked up at Natalie. She instinctively turned away, trying to hide her humiliation and disheveled appearance.

He put down the documents, his brows furrowing as his voice turned cold. "Got in trouble again? Didn't I tell you not to show your face in public?"

There was a hint of reproach in his eyes, but not a trace of concern for her.

Natalie's heart sank at his words. As she looked at the high and mighty Adrian, she felt utterly lost. Was this really the same Adrian who had once eaten food with her on the roadside, refusing to waste even a single bite?

She said again, "Adrian, I want a divorce!"

Adrian looked out the window, his expression unreadable. But when he snapped the file shut, it sounded unnaturally loud. He said, "Nat, you're just tired. Go home and get some rest. Don't be difficult."

Natalie's hands were covered in blood. He instinctively reached out to comfort her, but then he sighed and withdrew his hand. He was disgusted by the sight of her. How embarrassing.

He said, "Take a hot bath. You'll feel better, okay?"

She was already tired from compromising herself time and time again for his sake. She rested her fingers on the doorknob. "Adrian, you've changed. You're no longer the same man I knew. Even I can't figure out what you really want now."

Her words struck a nerve with Adrian. He instantly frowned and turned to glare at Natalie. "You always said that I've changed! But I did all of this for you! Do you want to go back to the miserable life we had before? Natalie, I'm the one who gave you everything you have now. Can't you endure some hardship? And you think you can be my wife?"

"Then I don't want to be your wife anymore!" Natalie yelled at the top of her lungs, the action nearly exhausting her. Her voice was thick with despair.

However, Adrian didn't understand. He only thought she was just being difficult. With a loud bang, he slammed the car door shut and walked away.

After Natalie got out of the car, she saw Olivia standing outside the villa. Adrian paused for a moment, and his gaze softened as he asked, "Why are you here? It's cold!"

Olivia said, "Did you and Ms. Shaw have a fight? Was it because of today's interview? I'm sorry, Ms. Shaw. That reporter was a bit shrewd. I had no choice but to hold Adrian's hand. Please don't be mad."

She stepped forward and squeezed Natalie's hand apologetically. She looked dignified, polite, and understanding.

Natalie felt ashamed and instinctively withdrew her hand, secretly wiping the blood from it behind her back. "Ms. Hart, this has nothing to do with you. You don't have to apologize!"

"Ms. Shaw, you can't say that. Adrian is your man. I already feel guilty for hogging him for so long. I'll be even more upset if you two fight again because of me," Olivia said.

Natalie smiled and shook her head bitterly. "Ms. Hart, you don't have to worry about that. We're getting a divorce!"

A trace of surprise appeared in Olivia's eyes.

Adrian, who had his back to her, immediately whipped around. His anger seemed to have reached its peak. His voice was as cold as ice as he spat, "Natalie, stop making a scene!"

Natalie stared at him intently, almost choking back her tears. "I'm not! I just want to—"

"Fine, Natalie! You're truly ungrateful! Fine, give me back what I gave you, and I'll divorce you!" Adrian said with a mocking smile before she could finish speaking.

Natalie was taken aback by his words. "What do you mean by that?"

"I told you, I'm the reason for everything you have. Give everything back, and I'll divorce you. Let's start with what's on you, one thing at a time."

Noticing her hesitation, Adrian smiled mockingly. "What's wrong? Can't bear to part with these things? Remember who's been supporting you all this time."

Olivia grabbed Natalie and stared at Adrian in disbelief. "Enough, Adrian! Don't say such awful things!"

Adrian retorted, "Stay out of it and let her strip! She's the one who wants to leave."

Natalie could no longer hold back her tears, and they finally spilled over. She dropped the luxury handbag she was holding to the ground. With trembling fingers, she slowly began unbuttoning her collar, one button at a time.

…

Finally, Natalie's last piece of clothing fell to the ground. She was left standing in the freezing winter in nothing but her underwear.

Adrian gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. He said sternly, "Enough! Consider your underwear a handout! Olivia, let's go!"

Then, he grabbed Olivia and disappeared into the night.

Natalie slowly squatted down, tears streaming down her face. Since Adrian loved Olivia, she would let them be together.