Chapter 2

"Mr. Beckett," I cut him off apathetically. "I don't need the jewelry, and I couldn't care less about you and your new flame. I came here for one thing only—a divorce."

Had my father, Fabian Jennings, not sacrificed his own life to save Evan's grandparents, a woman of my family background and social standing would never have been able to marry into the Beckett family. Everyone knew he was out of my league, so the upper echelons of the city's elite looked down on me.

Even though the research papers I published had literally taken the world by storm, I, too, believed I was unworthy. Consequently, I dimmed my own light, stripping myself of all dignity just to cater to Evan's every whim.

Now that I had let go of this obsession, my forbearance over the past five years had become a total joke. Naturally, it was time for me to reclaim my rightful place.

"Fiona…" Evan started, but his sentence was cut short as someone burst into his office without knocking on the door.

Astrid Smith fluttered to Evan's side like a colorful butterfly. "Evan, I came all this way to have lunch with you… Oh, you're already eating? It looks delicious! Did your housekeeper make it?"

Evan absolutely loathed it when people barged into his office unannounced. Once, an intern had forgotten to knock during an emergency, and Evan had fired them on the spot. Even I had to go through several layers of security clearance just to bring him lunch every day.

Yet, Astrid was clearly an exception to the rule.

Not only did he not become enraged, but he also beckoned her over with an indulgent smile. "Yeah, the housekeeper made it. It might look good, but it actually tastes like garbage."

He made a point of eye-balling me as the words left his mouth. I smiled slightly as I picked up the lunchbox and tossed it right into the trash can nearby. Evan's expression darkened in an instant.

Before he could snap, Astrid slithered onto his lap. "If it's that bad, don't eat it. A new restaurant just opened next door. Let's go check it out together!"

"Alright, let's go."

Right before he walked out, he looked over his shoulder and said coldly, "I'll have Charles take care of the headlines, and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. However, this is the last time I will tolerate your tantrums, Fiona. Next time, I'll grant your wish."

As soon as his threat sank in, my heart jolted slightly. However, I stepped forward and blocked their path. "Evan, even though there's been nothing dignified about our five-year marriage, I still hope we can end it in a dignified manner. So, there's no need to wait for the next time. Let's just sign the agreement today."

It didn't take Astrid long to put two and two together. Her eyes immediately lit up, and lunch was suddenly the last thing on her mind. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Evan! Am I interrupting something important? Why don't I head outside and wait for you instead?"

However, before she could leave, Evan had already grabbed her wrist. "The one who should leave isn't you." He looked at me blankly. His lips were pressed into a thin, hard line.

I could tell he was about to blow a fuse. In the past, I would've panicked and racked my brain for a way to beg for his forgiveness. Now, I met his gaze without a shred of fear. "Sign it, and I'll get out of your hair right now. I promise neither of you will ever see me again."

The atmosphere in the office instantly dropped below freezing point.

Astrid's gaze darted between Evan and me several times before she suddenly dropped to her knees right in front of me. "Mrs. Beckett, it's fine if you hate me, but please don't give Mr. Beckett a hard time! It's all my fault. As long as you can forgive Evan, I'm willing to let you slap me!"