Chapter 3

Mason went back to Brookesville three days later. It was already evening when the black RV rolled into the villa and the chauffeur killed its engine. Then, he opened the car door for his master.

Mason got out of the car. He saw that the chauffeur was about to take his luggage and said, “I can do it myself.”

The servants rushed at him as soon as he entered the living room. “Something happened to your father-in-law a few days ago, Mr. Mason. Ms. Zoe is in a bad mood. She’s upstairs now!”

He knew what had happened to the Sanders family. Irritated, he took his luggage upstairs and opened his bedroom door. Zoe was tidying up the dresser.

He put down his luggage, loosened his tie, and studied her. Zoe had loved doing the house chores, cleaning up, and making snacks ever since they had gotten married. If it had not been for her outstanding looks and graceful physique, she would have been no different from a nanny.

Zoe did not say a word for a long time. Mason was quite worn out from the trip. He could not be bothered to take note of her unusual silence. He took the necessities and went to the bathroom.

Zoe was soft and weak, he thought as he was taking a bath. He was sure she would have calmed down, unpacked his luggage, and gone back to the way she was by the time he was done bathing.

He was sure of it…

Mason walked out of the bathroom and saw that his luggage was left untouched. It looked like he was going to have to talk with her.

He sat on the couch and took a magazine casually. He said after a while, “How’s your father holding up? I heard about what happened that night… I’ve given Ava an earful for it.”

He sounded indifferent and insincere. Zoe stopped her chores and looked at him in the reflection of the mirror. Mason was so stunning and elegant. He was wearing a simple bath towel, but he still wore it better than the average guy.

Zoe stared at him so long that her eyes welled up. Then, she said calmly, “We’re getting a divorce, Mason.”

He was startled. He knew Zoe had been unhappy about his attitude that night. He sent Ava to the hospital the moment he learned about what happened to her family, but she would not accept his help. This was the first time she rebelled against him. She had been submissive all this time.

Mason took a pack of cigarettes from the coffee table and started smoking. Then, he said casually, “A few days ago, you said you wanted to go back to work, and now you want a divorce?

“Are you bored with your life as a homemaker? Is that why you want a different experience?

“Take a look at the world, Zoe. A lot of people have to work overtime and spend time with insufferable people to make a living. You’re my wife and you live in a mansion, Zoe. What are you unhappy about?”

…

He sounded cold and heartless. Zoe couldn’t take it anymore. She sneered, “Your wife? Is this your idea of a wife?”

She rose suddenly, dragged him to the cloakroom, and slid open the wardrobe door. There was a series of jewelry in there, but they were all locked behind a password. Zoe had no idea what the passwords were because Ava was in charge of them.

She pointed at them and said mockingly, “What kind of wife needs to go through procedures with her husband’s secretary in order to use her own jewelry? What kind of wife needs to submit a form to her husband’s secretary for any amount of money?

“What kind of wife doesn’t even have enough money to call a cab? Tell me, Mason. Is that what it means to be your wife?”