Chapter 2

Renata doubled over with laughter, her pretty face flushing bright red.

She didn't take my words seriously at all.

"You're lashing out because your little act was exposed? Mitchell, stop playing hard-to-get. You really think I'll care or try to keep you here? If you've got the guts, bring the divorce papers over. I'll sign them for you right away!" she said.

Her best friends all covered their mouths and snickered.

In her circle, I was nothing more than a joke. None of them had ever respected me.

As she left the photography exhibition, Renata's eyes instantly lit up. She sprinted out gracefully the door.

Then, she threw herself straight into a man's embrace.

"Samuel!" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry. I had things to attend to today and couldn't keep you company at the exhibition," Samuel said, throwing a deliberate glance my way. "It's a shame you had to settle for hanging out with a nobody."

Renata was unbelievably tender when she was with Samuel.

She replied, "It's fine! I know you're busy. You're not like useless losers who do nothing all day long! Oh, by the way, I have good news for you! Mr. Sandler won!

"Even though he stole all the spotlight back in our college days, he completely vanished for the next few years after that. It was such a shame! Fortunately, he's made a comeback recently. I really miss the times we used to study his work together!"

A burst of bitterness suddenly churned in my heart.

During the height of my fame, Renata's radiant smile accidentally entered my camera frame.

I fell in love with her at first sight.

As for those missing years, I'd given up my photography career just to help her save her family's company. I loved her with everything I had, pouring my entire heart and soul into taking care of her.

Samuel stroked Renata's hair, giving me a smug look.

He was clearly a hypocrite who pretended to be considerate, yet he still maintained the facade of a sensitive, understanding man.

"Don't say these things in front of Mitchell. People with no appreciation for the arts won't be able to understand any of this anyway," he said.

My expression went cold. Turning around, I began to walk away.

Renata's displeased voice sounded behind me.

"Samuel's speaking up for you, yet you're leaving without even saying goodbye. Can't you have some manners? We're going out for drinks next. Are you just going to leave? Where do you think you're going?"

I responded in a cold voice, "To find someone to draft the divorce papers."

She froze for a moment, carefully studying my expression.

Perhaps finally realizing I was being serious, she actually looked panicked.

Samuel pulled her hand, repeatedly urging her to leave.

She hesitated for a brief moment before mercifully saying to me, "You're demanding a divorce over such a minor thing? Not only are you useless, but you're also this petty, too? Fine, take it as my mistake then. I'll apologize to you. Isn't that enough?"

Having said that, without even waiting for my answer, she turned and walked away.

It was always like this.

Renata was utterly confident in how deeply I loved her, so she never cared about what I thought. Whatever she gave me was considered a charitable gift, and whatever she said was something I had to accept.

I shook my head in resignation.

But this time, things would be different.