Chapter 2

Joanna's POV

"Let's get a divorce, Cole," I said.

Tears blurred my vision, and I could only hear my own hoarse voice.

Cole, who had been busy barking orders at the reporters, looked at me and frowned. He was just about to speak when his phone started ringing. He smiled when he saw the flashing name on the screen and answered the call.

"Of course, the celebratory dinner is ready. I'll head back right now and transfer the money to her. You truly have such a kind heart."

He pulled out a check from his pocket after he ended the call.

"Take this. It's the appearance fee that Natalie prepared for you."

I laughed when I got a good look at the number on the check.

Natalie wanted to compensate me for my five years in hell with a measly ten thousand dollars.

I tore the check to shreds and threw the pieces at Cole, shouting, "I said that I want a divorce!"

Cole's expression darkened.

"Natalie's reality show will fall apart if we get a divorce now. Everyone will criticize her, so stop causing a fuss."

At that moment, it felt like my fury had been doused by a bucket of cold water. I barked out a self-deprecating laugh. Although I was demanding a divorce, Cole still prioritized Natalie's needs over mine.

I hurled a pillow in Cole's direction as he slammed the door open and left.

…

I didn't feel any joy over regaining my freedom as I walked out of the mental hospital that had served as my prison for the last five years.

The cabs and passersby avoided me when they noticed that I was wearing a patient's gown.

The massive billboard in the city was broadcasting a snippet of Natalie's reality show.

Natalie was dressed in a professional outfit. There were also countless photos of me in pathetic situations since I was the "guest star" of the show.

I was barefoot as I walked along the street and looked through her social media account.

In the last five years, Natalie had completely taken over my place as Andy's mother and Cole's wife.

They visited amusement parks and the Effervescent Tower. They also rode in hot air balloons and went scuba diving in the ocean. They had visited almost every corner of their country as well as many foreign countries.

In the past, Cole had told me that he hated going on vacations more than anything else. Every time I tried to bring up the idea of us going on a trip, he would immediately shut me down.

"You're not a child anymore, and I don't have the time to loiter around random places with you. Can't you be more understanding of my circumstances?"

However, not only had he accompanied Natalie on her trips, but he had also taken thousands of photos. The photos showed them fooling around, playing coy, and flirting with each other. He didn't even delete the ones that were blurry.

On the other hand, he hadn't been willing to take even a single wedding photo with me.

But what cut me the deepest was Cole's unconditional support for Natalie's career. He had invested millions of dollars to pave the path for her future, providing all the resources that she needed on a silver platter.

He had done all of this while being aware that if I hadn't been sent to the mental hospital, I would be a famous director by now.

I tortured myself by going through Natalie's social media countless times. My tears had dried up by the time I was done.

When I looked up, I realized that I had subconsciously made my way back home using pure muscle memory.

I tried unlocking the door, but I kept getting a notification that the password I entered was wrong.

A bodyguard ruthlessly kicked me aside, snapping, "Mr. Foster has forbidden you from entering the premises. The lady of the house is Ms. Natalie Jackman. You need to leave and find another place to stay."

Right before he turned around, he shot a glare at me and hissed, "What a maniac."

I weakly crumpled to the ground and saw Cole, Natalie, and Andy seated around the table through the glass. They looked like they were having a great time.

I had dreamed of this heartwarming scene in the past.

However, I was no longer the lady of the house.

…

I didn't have a single penny to my name, so I spent the night curled up on the cold ground.

The next day, when I returned to the company, I was chased out by my boss.

"How dare you show your face here! No one in their right mind would let a madwoman like you take charge of a project. Besides, Mr. Foster just gave us his orders. You should leave now if you know what's good for you."

I was teetering on the edge of a breakdown as I thought about Mom, who was still bedridden in the hospital.

"What gives him the right—"

I was interrupted when Cole called me.

"Joanna Lawson, you know that Natalie poured her blood, sweat, and tears into the reality show for the last five years. How dare you ruin it!"