Chapter 2

Selena slid the divorce papers across the table toward Jonathan.

He didn't even look at them. There was a faint, helplessly indulgent smile on his handsome face.

"Lena, don't be like this. I know it's hard for you to accept, but I already explained. That woman was just a moment of curiosity. Nothing serious happened. You're the only one I love. And if you're still upset, how about I take you to Pendara in a few days to buy you whatever you like? Or any country you want. We'll take a vacation. I know I've been distant lately, but it won't happen again. Okay?"

He rose and stepped toward her, reaching as if to pull her into his arms.

Selena stepped back. The gentle, beautiful expression she usually wore was gone, replaced by a cold, distant detachment.

Jonathan was used to her soft smiles, and he found the sudden chill intriguing. After all, years of marriage had dulled his interest in even the most beautiful women.

But now, there was something different here.

Selena ignored the amusement in his expression. Her voice was firm and serious.

"Jonathan, I'm not joking. Sign these papers, and we'll go to the courthouse in a month. If you don't sign, I don't mind taking this to court. But if our divorce proceedings get out and hurt the company's reputation, that won't be my problem."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Lena, you even know about that? Isabella's giving you advice, huh? Smart, as a lawyer should be. But did she tell you we signed a prenuptial agreement? Even if we divorce, my company won't be affected. In fact, you'll walk away with nothing."

His words were threatening, yet they came out in a playful tone, like a man teasing a child.

Selena used to find this kind of talk charming, a sign of his indulgence, even love. Now, it felt like the sharpest irony.

Jonathan's attitude left no doubt that he looked down on her.

"I'm not so naive that I need someone else to guide me. This has nothing to do with Isabella. I'm serious. I feel disgusted because you've touched another woman, and I want nothing to do with you. Let's get a divorce."

Jonathan's expression stiffened, a flicker of frustration crossing his features.

"Selena, think this through. All these years, you've only known how to spend money. If you really get a divorce, you won't even be able to support yourself!"

"I've thought it through. Sign the papers."

Jonathan stared at her, irritated by her stubbornness. But then he seemed to reconsider and let out a short, almost helpless hum.

He signed the papers.

Then he said, "There's a one-month cooling-off period, as is usual in divorce proceedings. Take your time and think things over. I'll be here when you're ready to come back."

Selena didn't argue. She packed her things and left, taking only a few outfits.

That afternoon, she went to the school gate herself to pick up Juliet. While they had lunch together, Selena told her daughter about the divorce agreement with Jonathan.

She had expected tears and sadness, but Juliet just nodded calmly, her expression steady.

"Divorce is okay, Mom. Don't worry about me. You're your own person first, and my mom second. I'm grown up now, so just do what makes you happy."

Selena's eyes reddened. Tears fell despite herself, and Juliet gently wiped them away.

"Mom, didn't you always tell me? Girls should chase what they really want and never let anyone or anything hold them back. You married Dad because you wanted to. Now you're divorcing him because you want to. Nothing else matters."

Selena had spent all these years caring for and guiding her daughter, and now it was her daughter who became her support.

-

Selena moved into the small apartment her parents had bought for her before she married Jonathan.

Back then, her parents weren't as wealthy as the Campbells, but they had still managed to buy her a small place in Harbor City. It had remained empty all these years, only occasionally cleaned by a housekeeper. She never imagined it would actually come in handy now.

Once she settled in, she spent hours online researching how to find a job, how to write a resume, which websites were best for applications, and what else she could do to support herself.

Selena had never worked a day in her life and had never paid attention to the job market. However, she knew that as a thirty-six-year-old woman with no work experience, she was at a significant disadvantage compared to others applying for the same positions.

So, she sent out a few resumes casually, while also thinking seriously about what she could do, what she was good at, and what could actually earn her money. She was making a plan for herself, mapping out her next steps.

Just as her plan was nearly complete, she got a call from a company's HR department, inviting her for an interview. The catch? It wasn't at the company, but at the Meridian Club.

Selena didn't overthink it. The Meridian Club wasn't anywhere shady, but a highly exclusive place. She and Jonathan had been there before for social gatherings and even business meetings.

After a little preparation, she went to the Meridian Club.

She gave her name and the purpose of her visit at the entrance, and a waiter led her up to the third floor. Sure enough, there was a conference room. Pushing the door open, she expected to see an interviewer. But instead, several men were casually seated around the table.

All of them were people Selena knew.

"Well, Mrs. Campbell... Wait, can't call you that anymore, huh? Divorced now, right? Ms. Jones, then," said Ronald Lewis, one of her former admirers.

He clicked his tongue and continued, "Jonathan really is heartless. Divorcing you and still so stingy. Didn't leave you enough? And now, you have to find a job to support yourself?"

Ronald had given up pursuing her long ago, after she got together with Jonathan. Over the years, they had hardly crossed paths except for the occasional polite nod at social events.

Besides Ronald, the other men were all people Selena had met before, just casual acquaintances from Jonathan's social circle.

"Feeling a bit sorry for her, are we, Ronald? After all these years, you still haven't gotten over Ms. Jones, huh? Now that she's divorced, you're just itching to have her close and spoil her rotten."

The others laughed, joking openly.

"Ronald, don't think you get to monopolize Ms. Jones. We've all had our eyes on her for years. Let's be fair, okay? Whoever she chooses, the rest of us will wait our turn. Let's not forget we're all friends here, huh?"

They spoke of Selena as if she were nothing more than a trophy to be claimed, discussing her as openly as if she had no thoughts of her own.

It was absurd.

One of them even put on a mock polite tone and said, "Ms. Jones, we're all your admirers here. Just say the word, and any one of us can make sure you continue living comfortably. Of course, we won't be stingy like Mr. Campbell. Even if things don't work out, we'll provide you with proper compensation."