Chapter 2

With Mr. Parker’s help, I rented an apartment that same afternoon.

I didn’t care about the neighborhood or the layout. I just wanted to move out as soon as possible.

It was eight that evening by the time I returned to the Cole mansion.

Pregnancy fatigue had left me barely able to straighten my back, but I still made one last dinner.

Four dishes and a soup. All Nathan’s favorites.

After ten years, I knew every one of his tastes and preferences better than I knew my own.

Whatever our ending might be, I had loved him for fifteen years. I wanted us to part on decent terms.

But Nathan didn’t come home until one in the morning.

He smelled of Sophie’s favorite perfume, and a glaring lipstick mark stained his collar.

I watched quietly as he loosened his tie. That was when I noticed his bare ring finger.

At some point, without my even realizing it, he had stopped wearing his wedding ring.

He glanced at the untouched food on the table, now obviously cold, and frowned out of habit.

There was no warmth in his eyes. Only unmistakable irritation.

“What is this, another guilt trip? You think this will make me give in?”

He took off his jacket, tossed it onto the couch, and headed for the stairs without another glance at me.

“Nathan.” My voice was so calm it surprised even me. “The divorce papers are on the table. Sign them.”

He stopped. When he turned around, his eyes were full of contempt.

“Over one expired, invalid agreement? Claire, when did you become this unreasonable?”

“Your father used the fact that you saved my life to pressure me into marrying you. What choice did I have?”

“Sophie has a heart condition. I just wanted to give her something to wish her well. It was a gesture!”

A wish.

A gesture.

How ridiculous. Two careless words, enough for him to dismiss all my pain and struggle.

Suddenly, I understood. There had never been some great obstacle standing between us.

He simply had never loved me.

Fifteen years ago, on a rainy night, his half brothers had been hunting him down. I hid him in a storage room for three whole days.

I secretly brought him food and medicine every day. Those men nearly beat me to death, too.

He had held my hand and said, “Claire, once I take control of the Cole family, I’ll give you the wedding you deserve.”

Later, he seized control of the family with ruthless efficiency.

And the grand wedding he had promised me came with a cold, calculating prenup.

“Nathan.” I supported my belly as I slowly stood. “So you do remember that you owe me your life.”

He froze, then sneered.

“Oh, so now you want to keep score? Fine. Name your price. How much?”

Name your price.

I gave a bitter smile. The last warm corner of my heart finally went cold.

“There’s no need. Nathan, I really am ending this.”

“I want the signed divorce papers on the living room table by nine tomorrow morning.”

It took every ounce of strength I had to keep my voice steady. Then I turned and went upstairs without looking at his face.

Behind me came the crash of something shattering and his furious roar.

“Claire Bennett! You’d better not regret this!”

Regret?

What I regretted most was opening that storage room door on that rainy night fifteen years ago.