Chapter 2 Everything I Owned Was Hers

I did the math. Between my fifty thousand monthly salary, commissions, year-end bonuses, and stock holdings, Susan was controlling nearly thirty million of my money.

On the other hand, Susan herself made eight thousand a month, and aside from that, she had nothing. Yet, she somehow had a net worth in the tens of millions. She casually bought herself six-figure handbags and all kinds of luxury goods.

Meanwhile, I had nothing. Even my watches and rings were locked away. If I wanted to wear one, I had to submit a request explaining exactly what occasion it was for.

According to Susan, I had too many business dinners and social events, which was unnecessary. She insisted that eating at home was the healthiest.

As for my watches and rings? She told me that I didn't need those, and that simplicity was the best.

Back then, she had said it all so convincingly, going on about the beauty of simplicity, that I hadn't made a fuss.

Besides, when work got hectic, wearing expensive accessories really could be inconvenient.

Looking back now, I realized I had been manipulated this whole time.

I took a deep breath, pulled myself together, and walked straight to the safe.

Susan followed me as she asked, "Honey, what are you doing?"

"I have a launch event the day after tomorrow. I need a watch to go with my suit."

When I reached the safe and entered the combination, I realized it came back wrong. Then, I turned to Susan and asked, "Did you change the combination?"

"Yes. If you need anything, just tell me. I changed all the passwords in the house."

In that split second, anger surged through me.

"What gives you the right to do that? That safe is mine. I set the combination and bought everything inside it. What right did you have to change it? Starting today, you won't control another cent of what's in my name!"

However, Susan merely looked at me with a calm expression.

"Sweetheart, you seemed to be exhausted. Has work been stressful lately? You were the one who gave me this authority in the first place. Why won't you now? Did someone say something to you?"

When she tried to reach up and ruffle my head, I slapped her hand away. "Don't touch me. You feel like a stranger to me."

Susan glanced at the red mark on the back of her hand. Then, she said in a warning tone, "Honey, be good and listen to me, and nothing else has to happen. If you don't, I'll have to punish you."

At that moment, I was furious.

"Open the safe now. I'm taking my watch!"

"No. Remember to submit a request."

I sucked in a breath and raised my hand, but before I could swing, she caught my wrist and held it in a death grip.

"Ryan, you're emotionally unstable right now. You shouldn't touch our marital assets anymore. Be a good boy and let me handle everything. If you want money, just submit an application."

I was so furious I laughed. "Do you think you can force my hand?"

Susan smiled and replied, "You're overthinking this. Go get a good night's sleep."

She was completely unfazed, probably not afraid that I'd ask for a divorce.

I didn't need to open the safe to know the truth that everything inside was already gone.

I couldn't take another second of it as I turned and walked out the door.

I'd barely made it downstairs when she called me.

"Were you planning to go to your apartment on the west side? Sorry. I sold that one too."

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to look up.

Susan was standing at the window of our high-rise apartment, smiling down at me. "Come back up. It's getting late."

My nails dug into my palms. I couldn't believe she'd actually dared to sell my apartment. "Susan, forging someone's signature is a crime. We'll see about this."

I had my lawyer draft the divorce agreement and send it to her immediately. Then, I got into my car and drove off without hesitation.

Susan called again and again, but I didn't pick up once since I didn't want to hear anything from her.

There was no time to waste.

Now that we were already in the middle of a fight, there was no reason to show her any respect.