Chapter 1

Carolyn Hewitt's eyes widened as she stared at me in disbelief.

"Mark Russ, have you lost your mind? You want to divorce me over something like this?"

In her mind, my feelings had always been a trivial matter.

I was just about to tell her that I had never been more serious in my life.

Before I could speak, my colleague, Liam Olson, stepped in, worried that I was still angry and that things might escalate.

"Mark, let's not argue right now. Whatever it is, you can talk it out later. We should take them back and get their statements."

As he spoke, he ushered Carolyn and the still-sniffling Alex Palmer back with him.

Once it was confirmed that Alex was Carolyn's 'younger brother,' a few stern words were all it took before the two of them were let go.

I had planned to leave alone. However, while I was fastening my seatbelt, Carolyn suddenly shoved Alex into the passenger seat.

The moment my fingers touched the car keys, an impulse surged through me: I wanted to throw both of them out of the car.

However, after a moment of thought, I forced myself to calm down. It was the middle of the night. If something happened to them outside, the responsibility might somehow fall on me.

We were about to get divorced anyway. The last thing I needed was more trouble.

I could use the drive to make things absolutely clear with Carolyn about the divorce.

"Mark, this is all my fault. I caused such a huge mess. Please don't argue with Carolyn because of me."

Alex started his pity act again. The moment I heard him say that, my hands tightened around the steering wheel.

If it were not for him, how would Carolyn and I have ended up like this?

Plus, that night, he had humiliated me in front of my colleagues. Naturally, I had no patience left for him.

I kept my face stiff and said nothing.

Snubbed, Alex could only tug weakly at Carolyn's sleeve.

"Mark, who exactly are you to show that grumpy face all day?" Carolyn snapped the moment she opened her mouth.

"Alex, this has nothing to do with you. He's just being petty."

A second ago, she had been icy toward me, but when she turned to look at Alex, her face instantly filled with gentle concern.

I started the engine.

Alex suddenly shrieked.

Annoyance flared in my chest, and my brows knitted together tightly.

"Carolyn… I'm too scared to ride in someone else's car," Alex stammered.

"If you're scared, then get out and walk home yourself," I said, shooting back irritably.

Alex shrank closer to Carolyn like a frightened puppy.

"Mark! Alex's mother died in a car accident. He has severe vehophobia. Can't you show a little sympathy? You're supposed to be a police officer! How did I ever end up marrying someone as cold-hearted as you?"

The next moment, Carolyn yanked the car door open.

"Get out!" she shouted.

The woman who had always seemed gentle and graceful suddenly looked unexpectedly rough.

She violently unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed at me with both hands, trying to drag me out of the car.

I was far stronger than she was, so there was no way she could actually pull me out.

My thoughts drifted for a moment.

When we had first gotten married, every morning before I left for work, she would carefully fasten my seatbelt for me, patiently reminding me over and over again to stay safe.