Chapter 2

"Clara, what did you do to upset Mrs. Sterling?" My colleague, Sarah, pulled me aside, her voice filled with worry. "She not only snatched your competition spot but also got the boss to fire you."

Mrs. Sterling?

My gaze followed hers to the elegant figure on the stage.

Sienna was dressed lavishly, looking every inch the wealthy socialite.

I almost forgot, she always introduces herself as "Mrs. Sterling" at the dance studio.

Right now, she stood with her chin high, basking in the envious stares of the crowd, when suddenly her eyes found me in the shadows.

"Clara, I'm truly sorry, but my dance skills are probably more suited for the competition than yours. So, the boss gave me the only spot for the dance championship."

I didn't care how much she messed around before, but this competition meant everything to me. I absolutely couldn't give it to her.

"Sienna, what exactly is your 'skill level'? Is your dancing only good enough to perform for men? And do you dare tell everyone your real identity?"

She used to be just an online influencer, an aspiring streamer who only got into this high-end dance studio through Julian.

She'd always been so careful around me before. Now, she dared to act so brazenly? I couldn't stand it.

Sienna's face flushed crimson, unable to utter a word, tears welling in her eyes.

Just then, a hand wrapped around her waist from behind.

Julian looked at me, his gaze intensely oppressive.

"And who are *you* to ask?"

My lips moved, but a bitter taste filled my throat.

His mother died because of me.

Nine years of marriage, even bearing him a son, wasn't enough to repay that debt, that life lost.

Once, when he was drunk, he’d gripped my throat and hissed:

"Clara, you married into this family to atone, not to live a life of luxury. Don't you ever forget your place!"

Seeing me lost in thought, Julian leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"Clara, if you want to keep this job, you'll obediently move back to our house."

Only then did I realize that he was the "boss" Sienna had mentioned.

He gave my competition spot to Sienna and then threatened the studio owner to fire me.

He was forcing me to bow, to take back my words about divorce.

Seeing my unwavering resolve, Julian's lips curled into a cold sneer.

"So, your wings have grown strong, have they? You think you can just fly away from my control? Then I'll break those wings, and we'll see how you fly."

He made a phone call.

A SnapChat message from Chloe, my best friend, popped up almost instantly.

"Clara, I think I messed up. I just got promoted last month, and now my supervisor called me into the office, saying they're letting me go..."

My lips pressed into a tight line. I went to pack my things.

As I left, I heard Sienna's mocking voice.

"Clara, you're still relying on a man, just like me. And here I thought you had so much backbone, so much independence?"

My hand, gripping the handle of my suitcase, paused. I refused to back down.

"Did you forget, Sienna? He and I aren't divorced yet. He's still my husband..."

Suddenly, Julian seized my arm.

"Clara, who gave you the guts to bully Sienna right in front of me? And those warnings I gave you, have you forgotten all of them?"

My heart felt like it had been pierced by a needle.

Since we got married, he had never publicly acknowledged me as his wife.

Outsiders only knew he was married, and he was never short of beautiful women by his side.

Since I couldn't participate in the dance competition anyway, there was no need to wait another week to leave.

Thinking this, I felt a slight sense of relief.

Before heading back to our house, I stopped by a lawyer's office and printed out a divorce agreement.

Then I sent a text message to that particular number.

"No need to wait a week. I'll be gone in two days."