Chapter 2

Simon said with a low voice, "Something urgent came up, and I have to handle it. I'll be back soon."

I breathed a sigh of relief, my weak, sweat-drenched hand resting heavily on the edge of the bed.

Simon was just a figurehead in the family business. What could possibly be so critical?

It had to be the woman he loved calling him again.

The moment he heard Carly Medina wanted to see him, he panicked and rushed out without a second thought.

Of course, he wouldn't spare a single worry for me.

Rosalind held me, tears streaming down her face. "Ms. Irene, you've been through so much. Let's go back to the Medinas."

I forced a small smile. "Okay."

I almost forgot that I was once the brightest socialite in the city, the beloved daughter of the Medinas, who had built a business empire.

Without the title of being Simon's wife, I would only grow stronger on my own.

-

In truth, the drugged milk wasn't enough to make me completely give up on Simon.

Everyone knew how tender and protective he'd been toward me for years. I refused to believe it had all been a sham to win Carly's favor.

But a few days ago, something I found by accident in his study shattered that hope.

It was a jewelry box Simon kept locked away in his safe, with a glaring label reading "For proposal" that was anything but meant for me.

Inside, a custom diamond necklace gleamed coldly, the pendant engraved with Carly's initials.

Every time I thought of it, my heart would drop.

Only one thought grew clearer with each passing moment: I wanted a divorce.

Despite my frail body, I signed the papers decisively.

Memories played relentlessly in my mind. Many doubts I'd once wrestled with suddenly made sense.

The day we married, Simon had thrown a lavish wedding for me. On the very same day, the most wanted bachelor of Rivenport, Ryan Schuman, married Carly.

He lifted my veil with tearful eyes and whispered, "Irene, you're finally mine."

I had thought those were tears of happiness. Now I know they carried the weight of his torment.

At Ryan's birthday party last year, Carly and I had been startled by a kitten that darted out unexpectedly, and we both fell into the pool.

Simon knew I was afraid of water, yet without hesitation, he jumped in, only to pull Carly out first.

Later, holding my hand, he explained, "Carly is Ryan's wife. Saving her was a favor to the Schumans to secure our family's position."

But the way he looked at Carly was filled with a love he couldn't hide.

I caught a chill in that cold water, and the illness took root inside me. It took six months of care before I began to heal.

Now, looking back, all the signs were there.

I was too naive to see the truth until I was drowning in it.

Thankfully, it wasn't too late to wake up.

Teresa Barker's birthday was coming up in a month. She was Simon's grandmother, and she had always been kind to me. I planned to celebrate with her one last time before I officially left the Barkers.

-

Simon didn't come home until late, smelling of alcohol.

When he walked into the room, I was reviewing my asset list.

Rubbing his temples, he looked puzzled. "Why are you looking at all this stuff?"

I glanced at the lipstick stain on his collar.

"No reason. I was bored, so I thought I'd check."

He let out a quiet sigh of relief and came over to hold me like usual. "I've been crazy busy at work lately. I'm sorry I haven't had time for you. I hope you're not mad at me."

His eyes were gentle, filled with a familiar tenderness.

For a brief moment, I almost believed he really loved me.