Chapter 2

That night, Brandon finally came home.

As usual, he went straight to his study to sort through some company documents. But after working for a while, he realized Rosalie hadn't come to see him. She usually went out of her way to tempt him into bed, but tonight, she was oddly quiet.

Frowning, he got up and headed to their bedroom. When he opened the door, she wasn't there. Something wasn't right.

As he stepped back into the hallway, he heard a maid's voice from downstairs. "Mrs. Searle, you're back."

Rosalie nodded and walked upstairs, only to meet Brandon's gaze the moment she reached the top.

His voice was flat. "Where have you been?"

Rosalie almost laughed scornfully. Since when did he care where she went?

"I mailed something."

She had arranged for the divorce agreement to be mailed to him. By the time Brandon got it, she'd be gone.

So, she added, "Consider it a gift. You'll see what it is in ten days."

Brandon scoffed. "You always pull this weird stuff. We live together. Couldn't you have just given it to me in person?"

He remarked coldly, "Pathetic." Then, he returned to his study.

Soon, he wouldn't have to put up with her pathetic self anymore, Rosalie thought. They'd never have to see each other again. She'd be gone in ten days, and he'd finally reunite with Nina just as he wished.

With that thought, Rosalie stepped into the bedroom and started packing. She left behind everything he'd ever given her, including clothes and shoes. Even their only wedding photo went into the cardboard box.

When Brandon walked in and saw the half-empty room, he frowned. "What are you doing?"

"I'm starting fresh. Out with the old, in with the new."

Brandon picked up the framed wedding photo from the box. "And how exactly are you going to replace this?"

Rosalie met his gaze. "If I asked you to take a real wedding photo with me, would you even say yes?"

Because they had married in secret, their marriage was never announced to the public.

Even this simple, privately taken wedding photo had been done according to Nina's demands. She had butted into everything, wielding her role as Brandon's stepmother like a weapon.

"You know how things are between our families. We can't exactly go taking wedding photos out in the open," Brandon said, tossing the framed picture back into the cardboard box.

Rosalie's eyes darkened.

He glanced at her and suddenly said, "If you want to go on another honeymoon, I can clear my schedule."

Rosalie looked up at him, barely able to believe what she was hearing. "Really?"

He nodded. "I was swamped with work the first time. Think of this as my way of making it right."

But before she could get a word out, his phone rang. It was that particular ringtone he'd set just for Nina. He picked up, and Nina's voice came from the other end. "Brandon, they moved the auction up. You need to get here now. I'll be waiting."

"Got it. On my way." Brandon hung up and turned to Rosalie. "Don't wait for me for dinner. I'm heading to an auction."

Normally, she would've just agreed and let it go. But this time, she said, "I want to come with you."

"It's the Searles' business. Why would you need to be there?"

Rosalie countered, "I can keep Nina company. She's always by herself. Don't you think she'd appreciate having someone there?"

Brandon frowned. "Suit yourself."

As Rosalie settled into the car, she immediately noticed that all the hanging ornaments had been replaced with her least favorite color—purple. It was also Nina's signature shade.

Brandon caught her expression and shrugged. "The old ones were worn out, so I picked these up recently."

Rosalie forced a smile and stayed quiet.

When the two arrived at the auction venue, Nina and the company employees were already seated.

Brandon walked over and took the seat beside her. Under the pretense of discussing work, they leaned in close, their hushed conversation intimate enough to shut out Rosalie, who sat nearby.

A few big shots invited Nina to a private lounge during the intermission.

Meanwhile, Rosalie stepped out to take a phone call. She was in the middle of resigning from her job. As she passed by the lounge, she caught snippets of the men inside taunting Nina.

"Must be lonely with your husband dead, huh? You're still young. How do you spend those long, empty nights? Why not... let all of us here keep you company? We know you've got a taste for older men."

The moment Nina's sharp cry rang out, Rosalie saw Brandon rush past her. He shoved through the lounge door and hauled the lecherous old guy away from Nina.