Chapter 3

I took off my wedding ring and looked at the ugly scar on my wrist.

As I watched Derek walk away, I placed the ring on the coffee table.

"You don't need to come get me. Let's let each other go, Derek. I don't want anything more to do with you."

My voice was calm, but there were tears in my eyes.

It was a goodbye meant only for me. Derek hadn't heard it, but even if he had, I didn't think it would have meant anything to him.

Everyone who knew us knew I loved him deeply. I had even been willing to give up my life for him.

My phone chimed with a notification.

The message read, "Are you really coming to Fioren?"

I picked up my phone, but my eyes fell on my crooked fingers.

A wave of sadness washed over me.

My fingers moved across the screen. "I've made up my mind. I'll go to Fioren once I've taken care of everything here."

When I went to the courthouse to submit the signed divorce papers, I passed by a giant digital screen.

It was showing a wedding dress advertisement.

Nina stood beside Derek in a white wedding gown, a happy smile lighting up her face.

Passersby commented on how perfect they looked together.

I suddenly remembered when Derek and I registered our marriage six years ago.

He told me he was a scientist, not some celebrity who wanted to be in the spotlight. He didn't want the public watching his every move.

He also didn't want people thinking he had gotten to where he was by relying on his wife's wealthy family.

So, we never had a wedding. We didn't even take a single wedding photo.

I respected his wishes, and my family did too.

Later, when my family's business ran into trouble and went under, I gave him divorce papers. But Derek tore them to pieces and pulled me into his arms.

Back then, I had thought that nothing would ever tear us apart, no matter what happened in the future.

But everything changed when Nina came into our lives.

I had tried to save our marriage, but nothing worked.

After being disappointed too many times, I remembered something Dad had told me when I was a child.

"Blythe, I want you to be carefree," Dad had said. "That's why I gave you that name."

The past and present seemed to blur together.

I watched Derek and Nina smiling at each other on the screen.

And for the first time, I smiled and let go.

…

When I returned home to pack my things and leave, I ran into Derek and Nina.

Derek was clearly unhappy to see me. "Why are you still here?"

I said nothing.

As I walked past them, Nina tripped me, and I fell hard onto the floor.

Derek just looked down at me with disdain.

I didn't want to stay any longer. I quickly picked up my bags and headed for the door.

Derek suddenly stopped me. "What's that painting you're carrying?"

I froze. Derek took the painting from me. It showed a family of three from behind, their shadows stretching long in the evening light.

He thought for a moment. "Let Nina use this for her competition."

I refused without hesitation. "Absolutely not."

Derek hadn't expected my refusal.

He looked at me in surprise. Then, his expression darkened. "What are you going to do with this painting? Nina is trying to land a role as an artist, and this competition is very important to her."

I shook my head again.

I had painted this before Dad died. It showed Dad, Mom, and me, and it meant the world to me.

"Blythe, can you just be reasonable for once?" Derek snapped.

I gritted my teeth, unwilling to give it up. "Why should I? Your relationship with Nina is all over the news. Why should I be the one acting reasonably?

"Derek, if you insist on taking this painting, I'll tell everyone exactly how fake this great love story of yours really is.

"And I'll expose Nina for being the homewrecker who came between a married couple!"

The moment I finished speaking, Derek laughed, clearly furious. "Blythe, are you threatening me now?"