Chapter 3

Those words made me sick.

I yanked my hand away and slapped Marie hard. "This is my house. Get out!"

She clutched her cheek, tears streaming.

Terence grabbed me, shoving me against the wall. "What is wrong with you today?"

Pain shot through me.

Marie sobbed, tugging at Terence's sleeve. "It's fine. Lena never liked me. After high school, she never came home, not even when our dad died. If she doesn't want me here, I'll go."

Her words tore open old wounds, the same trick she used to get me kicked out years ago.

I still remembered Lester smashing a chair over my head, throwing my stuff out, and yelling, "Get out and stay gone, just like your dead mom!"

I stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

Terence glared, his voice dripping with disgust. "I didn't expect you to be so heartless."

"I don't have a sister!" I shouted, tears falling.

He shoved me again. "If you're gonna lose it, do it somewhere else. I'm done with your tantrums."

He turned, gently scooping Marie up and setting her on the bed. "Don't worry. No one is kicking you out while I'm here."

My heart felt strangled. I stormed downstairs, changed, and left.

I called a contact. "That financial case you mentioned? I'm in."

"Ms. Schroeder, you sure? I mean, you're Terence's lawyer and wife. I heard he wants you to defend him."

"Not for long. I'll handle my resignation and divorce before the trial."

That night, a high fever landed me in the hospital, where I sat alone with an IV until dawn.

The next morning, I dragged myself to the office with paperwork.

Terence smirked. "Thought you had more pride than to show up for work."

Marie stood beside him. "Are you still upset about last night, Lena?"

She looked at me timidly, adding, "Nothing happened with Terence. He just let me stay. Can you let it go?"

Terence frowned. "You don't owe her an apology. She's just being petty."

I handed him the papers. "Sign these."

He trusted my work and signed without looking. Then he smirked and tossed them back.

"Get the Ryde case materials ready."

"I can't."

"What?"

I held up the documents. "Resignation letter and divorce agreement. You just signed them."

His face darkened. "Over last night? You're really gonna play hardball? You think you can threaten me into firing Marie? That I can't live without you?"

I smiled faintly. "You'll do fine without me. Good luck."

Deep down, I knew his career would go nowhere without my help.

He snorted, "You'd better stay tough for a little while longer. Don't come crawling back to me tomorrow."

I ignored him and turned to walk away, missing the venomous glint in Marie's eyes.

On the empty road, a truck suddenly sped toward me.

A deafening crash followed. Pain exploded as my bones felt crushed, and everything went black.

"Sir, Mrs. Salinas had a car accident!" reported an assistant.

Terence scoffed, "She files for divorce, then pulls this stunt? I'm not playing her games."

"It's real, sir. Her condition is critical. The hospital sent photos."