Chapter 3

Derrick scoffed.

Without even reading the papers, he took them from her and ripped them to shreds.

"Celine, can you stop assuming the worst about everyone?" His voice stayed calm, but every word cut. "There's nothing going on between JenJen and me.

"And you're really going to brand her a homewrecker over some stupid papers? I won't let that happen."

Celine stared at him.

Even the raw ache in her chest was gone now. Just numbness.

"Derrick, I told you I want a divorce, and your first thought wasn't how badly I'd been hurt or why I'd finally had enough.

"It was Jenny's reputation?"

She stepped closer, shaking with anger.

"You keep saying there's nothing between you. You spent the whole night in the same bed with her. Fine, maybe nothing happened, but it still disgusts me. Am I seriously not allowed to feel that way?!"

"Cece, stop..." Jenny suddenly burst into tears and slapped herself twice. "This is all my fault! I'm horrible! You're my best friend, and Derrick means so much to me too.

"Please don't fight because of me..."

She rushed in to hug Celine, but Celine shoved her away.

"If you actually cared about me, you wouldn't keep throwing yourself at my husband!"

Jenny froze.

She clearly hadn't expected that from usually soft-spoken Celine.

"Celine, how could you say that about me?!"

Covering her face, Jenny stumbled out.

Derrick's voice turned cold. "Celine, you're the one with a dirty mind. That's why everything looks dirty to you."

Derrick stared at her for a long moment, disappointment written all over his face.

Then he turned and ran after Jenny. "JenJen!"

The front door slammed shut.

Celine was alone in the apartment again.

She slowly crouched and picked up the shredded divorce papers, piece by piece.

'Whatever. I'll print another copy.'

Sooner or later, Derrick would get it.

This wasn't some threat.

She really wanted out.

...

Celine got to the law firm half an hour late.

She stopped outside, suddenly unable to move.

Last night's photos flashed through her head. Her private expressions, blasted across a hundred-person group chat.

For the first time, she was scared to face her coworkers.

She sucked in a breath and forced herself toward the door.

Then a hoarse shout came from the lobby.

Her dad.

George Clarkson.

Celine froze as last night's call flashed through her mind.

George had sounded cheerful. "Celine, I made those homemade pickles you love. Want me to bring you some?"

She'd been signing the divorce papers, completely drained.

"Dad, don't bother. Soon... I'll take some time off and come see you."

There was a pause.

Then her dad asked awkwardly, worry thick in his voice, "Celine, you don't sound right. Are you sick? Did you and Derrick fight...?"

"I'm fine!" She cut him off fast, choking back a sob. "Dad, don't worry about me. I have to go."

He'd known something was wrong.

Her dad barely ever traveled, but after that call, he'd rushed over that same night.

...

Celine's heart tightened as she ran inside.

Then she saw him.

Her blood ran cold.

Her father was pinned to the floor like an animal.

His cheek was smashed against the floor, his face streaked with tears and snot.

Derrick stood nearby, frowning. "Strip him. Search everything."

Her coworkers just watched.

Not one of them stepped in.

"Get off my dad!" Celine rushed forward.

Someone stuck out a foot.

She tripped and slammed into the reception desk, pain shooting through her elbow.

A female lawyer who'd always hated her leaned in with a nasty smirk.

"Wow, Celine. Last night wear you out that bad? You can't even walk straight? Legs still weak?"

The woman grabbed her.

Celine fought like crazy, digging her nails into the woman's arm.

"Let go of my dad!" Her voice shook. "What the hell happened?! Tell me!"