Chapter 2

By the time Tina stepped out of the restaurant, her vision had gone hazy with tears.

Footsteps rushed up behind her, and a hand caught her arm.

Sadie's voice cut sharp. "You think I'm a homewrecker? Let me make this clear: there's nothing going on between Jonathan and me. I haven't spent a cent of his money."

"I'm not blind or deaf." Tina shook her off.

Right then, a van screeched to a stop right behind Tina.

"Ah!"

The sound barely left her throat.

Two masked men moved in fast. One clamped a hand over her mouth while the other grabbed her arms. In seconds, they forced her into the van and drove off.

Just like that, Tina disappeared.

Sadie stood frozen. Her body swayed, then she dropped hard onto the cold ground, her elbow slamming against the steps.

When people from the restaurant came out looking for her, they found her sprawled there in a mess.

Two of them hurried over and helped her up. The skin on her elbow was scraped raw, and her prosthetic leg had come loose, lying off to the side. Their expressions darkened.

"Did Tina push you? That woman's out of her mind! I don't know anyone more stuck up than her in Avensburg!"

"Where is she? She shoved you and ran? She owes you an apology. This is way over the line!"

Sadie's lips trembled. "Sh-she…"

"Did she threaten you? Don't be scared. We're here. We've got your back!"

"She…" Sadie blinked, forcing the tears down, then shook her head. "It's nothing. Let's just go back. I still have work."

"Sadie, you're too nice. After what she did to you, you're still letting it go? No wonder Jonathan doesn't want her. She's nasty. Doesn't even compare to you."

They helped her up, still angry, already planning to tell Jonathan what had happened.

When they got inside, they saw Jonathan picking up a piece of food and set it in front of the boy. He watched him eat before saying to them, "Call Tina."

He didn't say much. His expression stayed dark and steady.

Sadie frowned. "Forget it. I'm fine."

"Don't go easy on her, Sadie. What, are we supposed to wait until she puts you in the hospital?"

Someone eager to hold Tina accountable had already made a call. The line rang and rang, then cut off.

"She's not answering. Bet she's feeling guilty!"

Sadie lowered her gaze, her long bangs hiding her expression. Her hand trembled slightly inside her sleeve.

She glanced at Jonathan.

Still watching the boy, Jonathan placed another rib on his plate. His posture stayed straight but relaxed, every movement controlled, unhurried.

Sadie pressed her lips together, then forced a small smile and moved to the other side of the boy. "Andy, is it good? Say thank you to…Mr. Reed."

The boy, who had been eating quietly, looked up. His eyes shifted before he spoke in a soft voice. "Thank you, Daddy."

Jonathan's hand paused midair. He looked over, composed, with something deeper behind his eyes. His voice stayed low. "Eat more."

A friend nearby laughed.

"Now that's what a real family looks like! Tina wasted four years of your time. Tomorrow morning, get the divorce done as soon as the courthouse opens. Don't drag it out."

The next morning, outside the courthouse.

In the car, Jonathan's assistant, Oliver Kincaid, sat in the front passenger seat, calling again and again, each attempt going straight to voicemail.

He glanced back, helpless. "I can't reach Mrs. Reed."

Sadie glanced at Jonathan. He didn't respond.

She reached over and gently patted the boy's head. "She's probably still asleep."

Jonathan checked the time, his tone even. "I'll drop you off at work first."

At the restaurant, Sadie got out. She slipped a lollipop into the boy's hand and brushed his cheek. "Stay with…Mr. Reed today. Be good. I'll pick you up after work."

The boy nodded, focused on unwrapping the candy. He was quiet and self-contained, a little like the man beside him.

By the time they returned to the courthouse, several more luxury cars had pulled up. Some belonged to people from the restaurant the night before; others had heard the news.

A crowd had gathered, waiting to see Tina and Jonathan split.

Tina had a reputation for being flashy and reckless, doing whatever she pleased while Jonathan handled the fallout.

If they divorced, that protection would be gone. The wolves waiting behind polite smiles would finally show their teeth.

Oliver made one last call. Still nothing.

Inside the car, Jonathan had a laptop open on the small table in front of him. He finished replying to emails, then casually twisted open a bottle of water for the boy, as if the commotion outside had nothing to do with him.

Oliver frowned. "Could something have happened to Mrs. Reed? Even when she was upset before, she never ignored your calls."

Tina knew that if Oliver was calling, it meant Jonathan was looking for her.

Before, even when she threw a fit, she would still answer. She just wouldn't say anything.

Jonathan closed his laptop, loosened his tie, and draped it over the back of the seat. His voice was low and steady, carrying quiet weight.

"I've indulged her all morning. That's enough. We're going back to the office."

A knock came at the window, and a slim figure in red appeared outside.

He had only ever seen Tina wear such bold colors.

Oliver's eyes widened in surprise.

Something about her was off.

She was barefoot. Her toenails, painted red, were streaked with dirt. Scrapes and bruises marked her skin, one ankle visibly swollen.

Her hair was a mess. Her makeup was ruined. She looked like she had dragged herself here on nothing but sheer will, just to get the divorce.

Oliver turned, but Jonathan was already out of the car.

Jonathan walked over and stopped in front of her. He didn't touch her, but the pressure of his presence was enough. His gaze swept over her, cold.

"Where've you been this time?" he said.

Tina curled her lips into a faint smile.

"Out messing around," she said lightly. "Came back just in time to get divorced."

He pressed his fingers briefly to his brow, slow and controlled, the air around him tightening.

"Tina, don't keep using divorce to test me," he said, his voice lower than usual, edged and clear. "This is the last time."

She knew that tone.

He was angry.

Before, she would've backed down right away, just to make him happy.

This time, she didn't react. She turned and walked into the office.

One minute left before closing. The staff was already packing up.

Tina gave a small nod. "Sorry. I know it's late."

The staff member sat back down, glanced at her, then froze.

Tina had been on TV before as a lead dancer and was fairly famous for a while. She had been flawless and stunning.

Nothing like the disheveled, dirt-streaked woman standing here now.

The staff member cleared their throat. "Where's the husband?"

Tina frowned and looked back toward the door.

Jonathan hadn't come in.