chapter 002

Ethan stared at Arya, searching her face for any sign that she wasn't serious.

“You want to divorce me simply because I asked you to take care of my mother's medical bills?” His brows furrowed. “Arya, we can settle this. There's no reason to end our marriage.”

Arya shrugged. “I've realized I'm not wanted here, and I need to love myself first. We've been together for five years without having a child. What exactly is there to hold on to?” Ethan struck the table with his palm.

“Regardless of what you do, I will never sign those divorce papers. You are my wife, and we should resolve our problems instead of running away.” She remembered making the same threat two years before the apocalypse. Back then, Ethan had been certain she would forgive him, just as she always had.

“What is there to resolve?” she asked. “I've made my decision.” His expression changed.

“Is this because of the contract I asked you to sign and the funds I need for my new company?” He stepped closer. “Arya, you promised to help me. You know how important this is.”

“I'm neither signing anything nor funding your company.” Arya pulled her hand away and met his gaze, her expression firm.

Ethan stared at her, disbelief flashing across his face. “You're throwing away five years over this?”

“I'm ending it, Ethan,” she replied, her voice steady as she turned away from him.

He shook his head in disbelief. “You forgave me when I cheated on you. I apologized, and you gave me another chance. Now you're asking for a divorce over a business disagreement?”

Arya remembered the three days she had spent crying after discovering his infidelity. He had begged her to forgive him, promising to change until she finally gave their marriage another chance.

She had mistaken his remorse for genuine regret. He had mistaken her forgiveness for a guarantee that she would never leave.

“You're right. I forgave you once, and that was my choice. But you don't get to decide how many times I'm willing to be hurt.” Ethan fell silent.

“My decision is final.”

The contract reminded her of the documents she had discovered in her previous life. Her name should have been on them, but Chloe's had appeared instead. When Arya questioned Ethan, he dismissed her concerns and accused her of overreacting.

This time, she wouldn't waste another penny on them. They had exploited her kindness and left her to die when she needed them most. She intended to make them pay. The front door opened, and Chloe strode into the living room, tossing her bag onto the sofa.

“What the hell is going on? I've called you countless times, and you've refused to answer!”

Ethan turned toward her. “Your best friend wants to divorce me! I don't even know what I've done wrong.”

Chloe stopped. “What?”

She approached Arya, reaching for her hand, but Arya kept her hands at her sides.

“Arya, are you okay? Why do you suddenly want to divorce Ethan? He's been the best husband you could ask for.”

“I'm fine.” Arya met Chloe's concerned gaze, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips. “You should be happy, shouldn't you?”Chloe's expression faltered. “Happy?”

“I'm divorcing Ethan. You two can live happily ever after.” Arya held her gaze, refusing to let Chloe's feigned innocence fool her again. Chloe glanced at Ethan, struggling to maintain her innocent expression.

Ethan grabbed Arya's shoulder.

“What is going on with you? You haven't been yourself since you woke up. First, you demand a divorce, and now you're accusing Chloe of being involved in our marriage!”

“Let go of me.” Her cold tone made him hesitate. Chloe immediately pulled his hand away, then turned to Arya with tears gathering in her eyes.

“I'm sorry, Ethan. Maybe my best friend isn't happy with the way I've been behaving. If I've done anything wrong, please forgive me. But don't make up stories simply because you want to divorce Ethan.”

Arya watched her without responding. In her previous life, Chloe's tears had always made her question herself, even when she was the one being wronged.

When Chloe reached for her again, Arya stepped aside. Chloe lost her balance and fell to the floor. “You both deserve each other.”

Arya picked up her car keys and headed for the door.

“Arya!” Ethan hurried after her. “Are you seriously doing this?”

“Sign the divorce papers when they arrive tomorrow morning.” She was almost outside when she remembered something. Opening her bag, she removed a file and placed it in front of Chloe.

“Five hundred thousand dollars. That's what you owe me.” Chloe stared at the document, her face paling.

“Arya…” Chloe stared at the document, her fingers trembling as she struggled to find an excuse.

“How are you paying? Cash or transfer?” Arya asked, watching her closely.

“I—”

“I want the money by the end of tomorrow. Otherwise, you'll hear from my lawyers.” Arya slid the file toward Chloe, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. Arya walked out without waiting for a response.

She had barely started her car when her phone rang. The caller ID displayed "Healthcare Medical Facility.

“Is this Mrs. Arya Grayson?” a woman asked.

“Yes.” I muttered.

“Your mother-in-law's medical insurance has expired. She was supposed to collect her medication today, but access has been denied. Could you renew the insurance?”

“No. Tell her to contact her son.”

“Arya, you ungrateful woman!” Susan's voice erupted in the background. “After everything my son has done for you, you can't even pay for my medication? Who do you think you are? You're his wife! Taking care of this family is your responsibility!”

Susan had always believed that a woman should endure hardship and sacrifice her own happiness to preserve her marriage. Arya's ability to walk away from an unhappy relationship challenged everything Susan had accepted as a woman's duty, and instead of questioning her own beliefs, she resented Arya for refusing to live by them.

Arya ended the call.

For five years, she had paid their bills and made sacrifices for people who treated her generosity as an obligation. She was finished.

She opened her messages and contacted an executive at the company where Ethan worked. Her father held shares in the business, and she had used her family's connections to help Ethan secure his position.

I would like Ethan Grayson's employment reviewed, with a view to terminating his position. Please contact me when the matter has been considered.

She sent the message. Her father's shares didn't give her direct authority to dismiss Ethan, but her request would be taken seriously. She had helped him build his career. She would no longer protect him from the consequences of his choices.

Next, she called her lawyer.

“I need you to prepare the divorce papers. I'll send you the necessary details. Have them delivered to my house by tomorrow.”

“Understood.” After ending the call, Arya drove to a hotel and booked a room. She switched on the television, watching reports about ordinary events. Everything appeared normal. But she knew what was coming.

In ninety days, the first infections would spread beyond control. People would dismiss the early cases, hospitals would struggle to contain the outbreak, and society would descend into chaos.

Arya switched off the television and sat on the edge of the bed.

Ninety days to finalize her divorce, secure her finances, gather supplies, and prepare the island her father had left her. It was the one place she believed she could turn into a refuge when the world collapsed. She opened her notes and began listing everything she needed to arrange at first light. This time, she would be ready.