Chapter 2

Hanging up the call, I let out a massive sigh of relief.

His parents were the only reason I had endured this marriage for so long.

Now that they were completely done with him, the crushing burden on my shoulders finally lifted, leaving me feeling lighter than air.

"Is the divorce paperwork ready?"

"Take that four million as his payout to sever ties with the family. There's no need to waste any more energy on him! We're staying in the exact same hospital as that intern, yet he runs up here three times a day without stepping foot in our room once. What a waste it was raising that boy... sigh..."

My mother-in-law rubbed her eyes, utterly despondent.

I immediately took her hand in mine. "Don't worry, Mom. No matter what happens, I'll always be your daughter."

After comforting them, I headed over to handle their paperwork, only to run into Chloe in the corridor.

Not only had she walked away with four million dollars, but she had also bought into Ethan's firm and become vice president. Arrogance and triumph practically dripped from her face.

"Oh, Serena! Why are you visiting me? Honestly, I should be the one dropping by to thank you."

"All that money Ethan gave me came from your hard labor, after all. When he gets back, I'll make sure to put in a good word for you. Maybe I'll let him spend a day or two with you each week, so he doesn't cling to me so much. It's getting a little suffocating, honestly."

Facing her blatant provocation, I swallowed my disgust and replied flatly, "Move aside. I'm not here for you."

"Oh, so you're looking for Ethan?"

"He went to check out a luxury villa for me, but he'll be back soon. Looks like we're going to be neighbors from now on, Serena. You better watch how you drive next time. If you scare me again, it won't just be money you lose—it'll be your spot as Mrs. Miller."

My fists clenched tight.

She had orchestrated the entire incident just to frame me.

Back then, she had stood in the middle of a narrow lane on a phone call, blocking my car for ten straight minutes. Since I had been talking to Ethan's parents about their upcoming treatments, I waited patiently. But she refused to move, and the cars behind me started honking relentlessly, prompting me to tap my horn twice.

Who would have guessed she would instantly faint on the spot?

Under standard protocol, I wouldn't have been held liable at all. Yet Ethan and Chloe insisted I knew about her heart condition beforehand and had deliberately triggered an attack.

If this went to court, my name would be dragged through the mud even if I proved my innocence. Fearing the fallout might hurt my career, his parents had advised me to swallow the four million loss and cut ties with the pair once and for all.

Still, if Chloe thought she could keep rubbing it in my face, she had another thing coming.

"I consider that four million as throwing meat to a stray dog. Losing it won't break me. But if you bark in my direction one more time, I swear I'll take it back, trigger another episode, and leave you unable to pay your bills, dying right in that hospital bed."

I wasn't bluffing.

Once the divorce went through, I would cut off all support to Ethan's business.

I knew the ins and outs of his company better than anyone. I had a dozen ways to reclaim that money, drive them into bankruptcy, and strip them down to nothing.

I highly doubted Chloe's fragile heart could survive that kind of financial ruin without seizing up.

"You're the dog, you pathetic bitch! In Ethan's eyes, you're nothing but a cash cow! All it takes is a few words from me, and he hands over everything you own. Who the hell do you think you're talking to?!"

Losing her cool, Chloe lunged forward, grabbing my collar.

I grabbed her by the wrist and wrenched her away with a single hard shove.

Ethan walked around the corner just in time to see it, rushing forward and striking me across the face with a brutal slap.

I couldn't dodge in time. Half my face went numb and swollen instantly. Stars exploded across my vision, and I had to brace myself against the wall to keep from collapsing.

By the time my head cleared, Ethan was holding Chloe protectively in his arms, helping her back to her feet.

"Ethan, maybe... maybe I should just return the four million to Serena. I'm too scared to keep it."

"She came here to assault me today. Who knows what she'll do to me next time?"

Ethan turned a murderous glare on me.

"You just don't know when to quit, do you, Serena?! If Chloe's condition gets worse, I swear to God, you will regret this!"