Chapter 3

"Honey, we just need to stay strong. We'll get through these hard times together, okay?" Shawn cooed, his voice dripping with sickening hypocrisy.

The very next day, my appendix flared up. I was on the floor, writhing in agony, drenched in so much sweat it felt like I'd been dunked in a pool. I didn't even have the strength to make a phone call.

Tommy video-called Shawn, begging him to come take me to the hospital.

Shawn's face showed a flicker of concern—not enough to actually do anything, though.

"Just rub your mom's stomach," he told Tommy. "She'll be fine in a minute. It's probably appendicitis. That won't kill her."

Then he hung up in a hurry.

When I finally blacked out from the pain, Tommy, scared out of his mind, called Shawn right back.

But instead of helping, Shawn just chewed him out. "Tell your mom to stop faking it!"

When Tommy tried calling again, the line went straight to voicemail. Shawn had turned his phone off.

Appendicitis might not be a terminal illness, but the pain is absolute torture. That was the exact moment I realized a man who had checked out of a marriage was more terrifying than any monster.

I took a screenshot of the loan notification and forwarded it to my lawyer. "Keep this evidence on file. Wait for my signal to file the lawsuit."

Once I collected myself after that whole mess, I headed home and whipped up a four-course dinner.

Kieran was over the moon. He didn't even set his briefcase down before rushing over to press a kiss to my cheek. "Honey, you're treating me too well. I'm going to make sure I reward you properly tonight."

His idea of a "reward" was always the same bedroom routine, and he never seemed to tire of it.

I gave him a mock-stern glare. "Behave yourself."

After a bit of sweet banter, he finally got down to business. "Shawn invited me to his daughter's birthday party."

We looked at each other, our lips curving into knowing, confident smiles.

How could I possibly miss such a monumental event?

…

Two days later, Kieran and I arrived at the Payne estate for Chloe's birthday party.

Once we got inside, Kieran had to take an urgent international conference call, so I headed in first.

I looked around at the massive vintage-style mansion, located in the most expensive neighborhood in Marovelle.

Back when Shawn was lying to me about going bankrupt, shipping a ton of repackaged kibble to the island for me and Tommy, he hadn't hesitated to drop $1.5 billion to outbid everyone for this mansion—just because Yvonne liked it.

A tidal wave of hatred washed over me, fueling my steps with determined rage as I strode inside.

The moment I stepped into the main hall, Yvonne, dressed in a stunning evening gown and holding her daughter, spotted me first.

She walked over, her eyes flashing with provocation. "Sweetie, look, your Aunt Summer is here to wish you a happy birthday."

Then she raised her voice on purpose. "Why don't you ask Aunt Summer what kind of gift she brought you?"

Her voice caught Shawn's attention. When he saw me, shock flashed across his eyes, followed by a hint of delight.

"I'm glad you've come around," he said. "Yvonne is taking the high road and isn't holding the incident from the other day against you. Dropping that nasty attitude of yours is a huge step forward."

Then his eyes dropped to my neck, landing on my late mother's heirloom locket resting against my collarbone. His tone shifted into a gentle command.

"Give the locket back to Yvonne. Her health hasn't been great, so I took her to see a spiritual master. He said only this specific locket can protect her vital energy. Things should belong to the people who actually need them. That's how they realize their true value."

He added, "Be a good girl. I've made my comeback now, so I can buy you as many lockets as you want. Yvonne is younger than you, so you should be the bigger person and let her have it."

Give it back?

He wanted me to give back what was rightfully mine to his mistress?

I was so furious I actually laughed out loud.

"Shawn Payne, I've seen some shameless people in my life, but you take the absolute cake!" I hissed. "This locket is the only keepsake my mom left me, and you stole it to give to your little mistress! And now you have the nerve to tell me to hand it over?"