Chapter 2

The next day, Derek came home and handed me three copies of the divorce papers. He had already signed them.

I stared at them for a long time. When he started to look impatient, I calmly took the papers and signed each one.

After a long silence, Derek sighed.

For once, he actually explained himself. "This is only a temporary divorce. I'm not going to abandon you.

"I was going to visit Susan after the party last night, but Nina had another depressive episode. I'm only doing this to cheer her up. Once she's doing better, you and I will get remarried.

"Blythe, I hope you won't go to Nina and make a scene. She developed depression because I married you, and I can't just turn my back on her."

I looked at Derek's handsome face. There were dark circles under his eyes.

He had probably stayed up all night with Nina again.

My eyes fell on the divorce papers on the table. Our names were written in black and white, sitting close together on the page. The scent of fresh ink was still lingering around them.

When I didn't respond, Derek grew impatient. "Blythe, did you hear me?"

I answered quietly, "Got it."

He hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

Derek pressed his lips together and stood up. "Go pack your things. Nina still has filming to do, and this place is close to the set. I'm going to let her stay here for a while. You should move out first."

I nodded.

Seeing how easily I agreed, Derek grew irritated. "You had better mean it. Don't say one thing to my face and do another behind my back. Otherwise, I'll stop paying for your mom's medical treatment."

My breath hitched.

The first time I learned about Nina was on an ordinary night when Derek didn't come home.

I spent the whole night looking for him. Finally, I found him in a small apartment near his office, asleep with Nina in his arms. She had both arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her head resting against his chest.

The moment I saw them together, I lost control. I was so overwhelmed that I pulled Nina up and slapped her.

Derek didn't explain himself or even look flustered at being caught. Instead, he struck me across the face.

He even forced me to create a painting for her. Nina had a painting competition coming up in a month and needed a piece for it.

I refused to do it.

So, to get back at me for refusing to help Nina, Derek injured my hand so badly that I could never hold a paintbrush again.

When he learned that I'd never be able to paint again, he saw how devastated I was and rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Blythe, is your hand really more important than a life?

"Don't you know Nina has depression?"

Nina's depression became her excuse to be part of our lives. On every holiday, birthday, anniversary, or family celebration, she always found a reason to pull Derek away.

Even on the anniversary of Dad's death, one phone call from Nina was enough to make Derek leave.

I became bitter and resentful, constantly arguing with him.

But this time, I suddenly felt exhausted.

I finally understood that our years together couldn't compare to what he felt for his childhood sweetheart.

A flicker of surprise and unease crossed Derek's face when he saw how calm I was, but it vanished the moment Nina called.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped.

Derek turned around and asked, "Where are you going?"

I lowered my head and thought for a moment. "I'll go abroad, somewhere far away from you two."

He looked at me in surprise, and then it dawned on him. "You're so well-behaved this time. Did you realize that throwing a fit wouldn't work, so now you're trying a different way to win me back?

"Never mind. Going abroad is fine, too. That way, you won't upset Nina. Once she's better, I'll come get you."

With that, he hurried out.