Chapter 2

Ann was left stunned for a couple beats, but soon frowned. "Just because I invited Martin to our table? Even jealousy should follow reason, don't you think? Or is it that bad to buy a man who saved my life dinner, too?"

As I hung my head in silence, her tone softened. "Look, I might have been a little inconsiderate tonight, but I'll make another reservation next week. Just the two of us, okay?"

As she spoke, she reached out to hold my hand. "It's the feeling of owing that ties me to Martin. That won't hurt our relationship."

Her palm felt warm like always, but I can't feel an ounce of sentiment.

I glanced at the white camellias that had stayed by her feet when she was with me for seven years. They were nothing but dried branches now.

Suddenly, I don't even feel the strength to argue.

"Yeah. I was being paranoid."

Ann sighed in relief like she always did, thinking that it's over just like every other argument.

After getting home, she headed straight to her study.

I waited until I heard her door close, then locked myself in my bedroom before whipping out my phone to call my lawyer, Max. "Please help me draft a divorce agreement."

After hanging up, I tapped into a plane ticket app and booked a flight to New Zulu after five days.

Before Mom died, she bought me an apartment in Areston and an inheritance that only has my name on it. She said that it's so I always have a place to go even if my marriage turns unhappy.

I was convinced I'd never need it.

As the next afternoon arrived, a certain social media post hit trending.

[Scandalous! Liston Corp CEO goes on date with savior!]

Attached to it were photos of Martin and Ann leaving the restaurant, along with accusations that he was using a life debt to sabotage a married woman's marriage.

Soon, he was doxed.

Ann was frighteningly cold when she entered the room. "Did you upload that post?"

I put down my book and replied, "No."

Even so, she stared at me in disappointment. "You're the only one who knew Martin was with me. I know you're upset, but he's a doctor. Don't you understand that reputation matters a lot to him?"

I raised a brow.

Three years ago, my studio had been framed for plagiarism.

Ann didn't even look at evidence as she announced in front of cameras that she trusts me, her husband. I really thought that she would trust me without hesitation no matter what happens.

As it turned out, that trust had an expiry date.

"So in your mind, I'm that sinister?" I asked quietly.

Ann was silent for a moment, but soon snorted. "Delete the post and apologize to Martin. Then we can put this behind us."

I simply smiled silently. Her phone rang, shattering the suffocating silence.

It was her assistant, Bob.

"The police made an arrest. It's a woman, an admirer of Dr. Irwin. He rejected her, so she stalked him for days and took photos to spread those rumors."

Ann was still standing by the doorway as she hung up, the look on her face now clearly uncomfortable.

Eventually, she said, "I jumped to conclusions… Martin just survived an avalanche. I don't think he could survive the flaming."

She was still on Martin's side even though she was apologizing.

I didn't expose her, instead handing her the documents I had on hand. "I'm buying a studio in Areston. I need you to sign off on it."

Ann took the papers and had barely reached page two when her phone rang again.

It was Martin, complaining about journalists camping outside his house and preventing him from getting home.

Her tone grew at once soft as she reassured him, while swiftly signing the column I highlighted.

"You like it, then you can have it," she said, sliding back the papers to me. "Like I said before, I can get you anything you want. Don't push me with that divorce talk again."

I waited until she left before taking out the thin stack of divorce papers, where Ann's name was written clear and sharp on the last page.

Taking photos for further proof, I looked outside at the darkening skies.

Patience.

In just five days, I would be gone.