Chapter 2

Ian's POV

"Are you sure you want a divorce?"

Maybe I'd been silent for too long. Celine finally looked up at me.

I met her gaze and answered flatly, "Yes."

Celine and I were never well matched in terms of family background, social standing, or looks. She chose me as a husband simply because I was accommodating and stayed out of her way. Over the years, I'd followed one simple rule around her—never say or do anything that might anger her.

"You—"

Before Celine could finish, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

I was surprised to see Pierre. Celine had never brought the men she took home to the office. Pierre was the exception.

"Celine, am I interrupting?" he asked.

Her expression softened slightly when she saw him. "No. Just give me a minute. I remember what I promised you and Betty."

Pierre smiled. "I'm glad you do."

She turned to me. "If you're upset about what happened at the family dinner, I promise it won't happen again."

I found it ironic. She never compromised for anyone. When I brought up divorce, she just brushed it off. Yet one look from Pierre and she was suddenly willing to placate me.

Pierre cut in, saying, "Ian, we're going to be late for the amusement park. Betty's still waiting in the car. Can't you cut Celine some slack for now?"

My fingers trembled slightly.

I had asked Betty countless times if she wanted to go to an amusement park with me. She had always sneered at the idea. "Dad, you're a grown-up. Don't be so childish. Going to a place like that is just a waste of my time."

I clamped down on the bitterness rising in my chest and pointed to the divorce agreement, which had been revised again and again.

"Sign it. I'll leave right away, and I won't bother you two again."

Only then did Pierre notice the divorce agreement on the desk. His eyes lit up. "Celine, should I give you some privacy?"

Despite saying that, he made no move to leave.

Celine frowned and stubbed out her cigarette. "No need."

I knew she was angry.

If this had happened before, I would have immediately apologized. But now I was completely numb, and I didn't care anymore.

"Is Ian insisting on getting a divorce because of me?" Pierre put on a hurt expression and immediately apologized. "I'm sorry, Ian. I shouldn't have gone over to Celine's house last night without calling first. It's entirely my fault."

He lowered his head and gripped my wrist tightly. A sharp pain shot up my arm.

Out of Celine's line of sight, he mouthed a taunt at me. "Celine and your daughter don't want you anymore. You deserve it."

I wasn't angry in the slightest. I only found it ridiculous.

I pried his fingers off my wrist. The moment I let go, he stumbled backward and fell to the floor.

Even with an act that obvious, Celine believed him. And so did Betty, who happened to push open the door at that moment.

"Will you knock it off?" Celine snapped.

"Dad, are you crazy? Why did you push Pierre?"

My wife and my daughter were both tearing into me for another man.