Chapter 2 The Husband Who Forgot Who I Was

I nodded and ended the call.

I couldn't shake the weight in my chest even though Ryan was on his way.

Dylan and I had been together for five years. Even if he didn't believe me, didn't I at least deserve a chance to defend my case?

I lifted my hand to knock on his office door when I heard Vanessa's sugary voice from inside. "Dylan, are you sure about firing her? What if she makes a scene?"

Dylan laughed. "What's she gonna do?"

His voice dripped with contempt. "She's had a comfortable life all these years because of me. She wouldn't even be able to hold down a job if it weren't for me. At best, she'd end up staying home playing house."

Ice flooded my body.

When I insisted on being with Dylan, my family opposed me at every turn. My parents were so angry they ended up in the hospital, and my brother… The same brother who always spoiled me had hit me for the first time in his life.

However, I remained firm on my choice.

So, I cut ties with my family and followed Dylan to this unfamiliar city.

Marriage turned out nothing like the dream I'd imagined.

Dylan always aimed high but never had the discipline to follow through. He bounced from job to job, never lasting anywhere.

I was the one juggling side gigs just to keep us afloat.

Eventually, my brother grew tired of watching me struggle. He left headquarters, set up a branch office nearby, and hired both of us. He provided opportunities for me to secure major contracts and enhance our lives.

I had kept quiet about being the CEO's sister because I didn't want anyone saying Dylan was riding on my family's name.

I tightened my grip on my phone, snapped a photo through the narrow crack in the door, and sent it to my lawyer. 'Draft the divorce papers immediately.'

Then, I texted Ryan. 'Terminate Vanessa immediately. Workplace misconduct and malicious defamation of a colleague.'

I had only been packing up my desk for a few minutes when Dylan stormed over. He looked furious.

He shouted, "Avery! Why did Ryan personally notify Vanessa that she was fired? Was this your doing? What exactly did she do that made you run crying to upper management?"

I blinked. 'Oh? Ryan works fast, huh?'

I looked him straight in the eye. "Vanessa hasn't landed a single meaningful deal since she got here. All she does is stir up drama and spread lies. Why shouldn't she be fired?"

I crossed my arms. "So let me get this straight. I'm supposedly damaging company culture, so I get fired, but Vanessa gets to spread malicious lies about me and keep her job?

"You're defending her awfully hard. Is there something going on between the two of you that I should know—"

I never finished.

Dylan's hand came down hard across my face.

Pain exploded instantly. My head snapped sideways, and a sharp ringing filled my ears.

Vanessa immediately grabbed his arm, putting on her pathetic act.

"Dylan, don't be mad," she said sweetly. "Avery's just upset because I exposed what she really is."

She lowered her eyes dramatically. "Now she's abusing her influence to get rid of me. I can't compete with that. Maybe I should just leave."

Dylan was already furious.

That speech sent him over the edge.

His face turned red as he snapped, "Avery! You're unbelievable! Your behavior is disgusting, and now you're trying to frame Vanessa?"

He stepped into my space, glaring. "Get on your knees and apologize to her right now. Do that, and I'll pretend this never happened. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next."

A bitter laugh escaped me.

There was a time when Dylan would've torn apart anyone who insulted me.

I had once been harassed by some drunks while I was working a side job.

Dylan didn't hesitate to protect me.

They broke three of his ribs.

Still, he stood there covered in blood, smiling at me and telling me not to cry.

He remained ever attentive as his career improved.

So I never believed my colleagues when they whispered that he and Vanessa were growing too close.

When he told me that they shared a hotel room during business trips when they shared a hotel room to save money, I foolishly believed him.

When Dylan saw that I refused to back down, his expression darkened. He grabbed my arm and yanked hard. "Didn't you hear me?"

His grip was so brutal it felt like my bones might crack.

I fought against him with everything I had.

He was about to send me sprawling when Ryan's voice boomed behind us. "How dare you hurt her!"