Chapter 3

My family was furious.

They couldn't fathom why I’d abandon our artistic legacy for an ordinary corporate girl.

But back then, Rachel was my entire world.

I cut ties with my family just to stay by her side.

Those early years were tough. Money was tight, but we were happy.

I took care of everything at home so she could chase her dreams without distraction, building a safe haven for her to return to every night.

With my backing, she eventually launched her own firm.

Her startup gained traction, secured venture capital, and took off.

I was genuinely proud of her. Supporting her climb felt worth every sacrifice.

Until success got to her head.

She started working late every single night. Weekends slipped away.

I tried to be the understanding spouse. I gave her space, cooked late dinners, and never complained.

Then Liam arrived.

At first, Rachel would casually bring him up over breakfast:

"The new associate, Liam, is remarkably talented. We just click on every project. He’s going to be huge for our firm."

I brushed it off as healthy mentorship.

Soon enough, she began comparing me to him at dinner, dropping subtle jabs about his ambition versus my quiet life at home.

A pit formed in my stomach.

Then came the nights when she stayed out late working exclusively with him, followed by weekend "strategy retreats" that only the two of them attended.

The smiles she used to save for me were now reserved for Liam.

I confronted her once. She shut me down with pure venom:

"Can you stop acting like a needy child? It's just work! I look at Liam like a younger brother, that's all."

"Stop suffocating me, Austin. Your jealousy is pathetic!"

That was the moment I knew her heart had moved on.

I went through hell trying to fix things. I questioned my own worth, wondering if stepping away from painting had turned me into someone she couldn't respect.

I tried everything to pull her back.

Until tonight’s anniversary farce snapped me out of it.

I was done playing the fool.

Rachel stared at me, genuinely unsettled by my quiet demeanor. "What did you just say?"

I sat up straight, meeting her gaze with total clarity.

"I said it’s my fault."

"My fault for giving up my career to build yours. My fault for begging for crumbs from someone who stopped loving me months ago."

"Loving you was my mistake. Burning bridges with my family was my mistake. But I'm fixing it now."

Under her bewildered stare, I dropped the hammer:

"Let’s get a divorce, Rachel."