Chapter 2

Alexander leaned on his hand, a familiar, humorless smirk playing on his lips.

"Seriously, a divorce? Cassidy Hayes, have you found someone else?"

There wasn't an ounce of warmth in his eyes, as if they could burn right through me.

How did I retaliate last time?

Oh, I put my hands on my hips, stomped my feet, and climbed onto a chair.

I tilted my chin up, glaring at him disdainfully:

"Trust me, I've got eight guys lined up, and every single one of them is better than you. Alexander, if you know what's good for you, you'll sign those papers right now."

The agreement on the table reeked of my former arrogance.

I hadn't wanted the five-million-dollar villa, nor had I kept any of the luxury items he'd bought me, returning them all.

My main point was not letting money 'taint' my perceived nobility.

But after decades of roughing it, washing dishes in freezing temperatures for minimum wage until my hands were raw and bleeding…

Now, looking at all those material things, they seemed absolutely adorable.

Love? Without money, love is just a pile of trash.

I immediately plastered on a sweet smile, my eyes crinkling as I looked at him.

"Oh, darling, I was just talking nonsense. How could I divorce you? I love you so much!"

"What I just said doesn't count. You... you must be tired, right? I'll draw you a bath so you can relax."

I snatched the papers and bolted, tearing the damn thing to shreds in the bathroom.

Even the paper scraps were tossed into the trash and flushed away.

The flush of the heated smart toilet was pure music to my ears.

I couldn't help but hug it, feeling its warmth.

*Sob, sob.* No more freezing my butt off in winter.

No more starving in winter.

No more working grueling jobs for my dad's medical bills and our family's living expenses.

I don't know what I was being so dramatic about in my last life, obsessing over whether Alexander truly loved me.

Even after he'd entrusted his entire fortune to me, I was still hung up on a few ambiguous texts.

It took the crushing blows of life to finally understand the importance of money.

I've learned my lesson now. I will never leave money again.

I drew Alexander his favorite 96.4°F bathwater.

Then I thoughtfully laid out the clothes he'd change into.

Alexander stepped into the bathroom, and I was still grinning at the door.

He stared at me for a few minutes, then quietly flipped the lock on the bathroom door.

Me: …

*Jerk. Who's craving your body?*

I headed into the bedroom and started tallying up my secret stash.