Chapter 2

My mother placed the divorce agreement in front of me.

"Sign them. Zelda has her whole life ahead of her. She can't be the other woman who breaks up someone else's marriage."

She emphasized, "This is what Nicholas wants, too."

The agreement contained 105 clauses, each one severing another tie between Nicholas and me.

It covered not only our relationship but also the division of our assets.

The agreement stated that I had no claim to any of Nicholas's assets. I was to walk away from the marriage with nothing.

But the first project he could proudly put his name on was one I'd brought to life, visiting the site day after day and staying up night after night working on the plans.

His original proposal was riddled with flaws. I was the one who went over it again and again, carefully refining every detail.

He'd cheated on me and still expected me to walk away with nothing? He could dream on.

I swallowed the bitterness in my mouth before speaking. "I'll sign, but the agreement needs to be revised."

My father's voice turned cold. "What do you want?"

I raised my eyes, a calculating glint flickering in them. "Since Nicholas was the one who cheated, he should walk away with nothing. Besides, Zelda and I are the only two daughters in the York family. It's only fair that I get half the family fortune, don't you think?"

My mother was stunned and furious. "Your father and I aren't even dead yet, and you're already thinking about dividing up our estate? You—"

I cut her off calmly. "I've always been calculating. Didn't you know that when you gave me that abacus?"

My father's voice was low as he laid down his decision. "We'll welcome you back into the family and announce the division of our assets at the reception. But there's one condition: you must never interfere in Zelda's relationship."

I smiled and agreed. "All right."

The revised divorce agreement was drawn up quickly. I went through every clause carefully, making sure that even a basic car registered in Nicholas's name would be transferred into mine before signing the final page.

After leaving the wedding, I called my doctoral advisor, whom I'd stayed in touch with over the years, and applied for a PhD position under his supervision.

He was delighted. "I'd reserved a spot for you back then, but when the semester started, your younger sister showed up instead. You can't change your mind again this time."

I tightened my grip on the phone and promised, "I won't change my mind. I'll report to you in seven days."

I'd barely hung up when a voice tinged with coldness sounded behind me. "Where are you going?"

I froze, then turned and found myself staring into Nicholas's dark, inscrutable eyes.

"Where are you going?"

He stepped closer, gripping my wrist tightly as he pressed me for an answer again.

He was still wearing his perfectly tailored suit, a boutonniere pinned to his chest bearing the words "Groom: Nicholas Zane."

"Who exactly are you to question me?" I met his gaze just as defiantly. "My husband, or my brother-in-law?"

Nicholas's throat tightened as he asked, almost desperately, "What about you, Lauren? Throughout all these years of marriage, did you ever have even an ounce of genuine affection for me?

"You only married me to get back at Zelda, didn't you? With so many eligible bachelors out there, why else would you have chosen me?"

I curled my fingers into my palm but didn't deny it. "So what if I did?"

He let out a bitter laugh, his tone somewhere between self-mockery and scorn. "They were right about you. You really do know how to manipulate people.

"Today's wedding was nothing more than an act Zelda and I put on. She bet that you didn't love me, while I bet that you did. The moment you walk out of here, the divorce agreement you just signed will take effect.

"If you can't appreciate me, there are plenty of people who will. Don't tell me you actually think I can't live without you?"

Zelda came running out from around the corner. Her eyes were red, and she looked like a child who'd done something wrong as she bowed to me.

"Lauren, I know you've always resented me for taking things away from you. But I've changed over the years you've been away from home. I just didn't know any better. I've always had to rely on you. Please don't hold it against me, okay?"

Zelda was always like this. She'd take what she wanted, then act like the victim.

All she had to do was shed a few tears and apologize, and I would always be the one expected to back down.

My life, my love, my education, my future—everything had to take a back seat for her.

Because I was smart and had good judgment, even if I missed my chance the first time, I'd get another.

But she was a fool with nothing going for her but her looks. She could only have grown up properly because I'd always protected her and given in to her.

And somehow, even my attempts to stand up for myself were twisted into schemes.

She sniffled. "I was immature back then. Please forgive me..."

"I don't blame you," I cut her off.

For a moment, she looked completely blank.

"It's fine. Whatever you want to take, go ahead." I patted her cheek almost affectionately, a malicious smile curling across my lips. "After all, you're nothing but a good-for-nothing who only knows how to pick through the trash.

"I was wrong. We intelligent people who can think for ourselves really shouldn't stoop to arguing with trash."