Chapter 2
He had picked Bethany’s.
Adrienne stared, frozen, as the scarf she spent two months
knitting drowned in wine. The color drained from her face, and
her heart felt like it had been dipped in ice.
Bethany sighed and took Adrienne’s arm as if she were trying to
comfort her. “Don’t be upset, Adrienne. He can still use it after
you wash it.”
Adrienne didn’t respond. She turned her gaze to Garrett.
He lowered his lashes, hiding his expression.
The atmosphere in the room shifted. Adrienne seemed to be a
buzzkill here. Everyone stood up and began saying their
goodbyes.
She sat still, staring at the scarf on the coffee table. It looked just
like her.
་
The others gradually filed out. When she saw Garrett getting
ready to leave as well, she softly said, “Garrett, happy birthday.”
Garrett acted like he hadn’t heard. Everyone here was part of
Chapter 2
his inner circle. He had only been brought
Dack into the Melendez family at twenty–one, already a self–made business
star. At the time, it was nineteen–year–old Adrienne by his side.
Seven years had passed. The business prodigy had become a
giant among elites, but their relationship was long dead.
Those days they spent struggling together in obscurity felt like a
lifetime ago.
Garrett asked someone to escort Bethany home.
She patted his shoulder gently. “Talk it out, okay? Stop fighting
all the time.”
Someone scoffed. “Beth, you really are patient.”
“I’m not patient. I just think Adrienne didn’t know better back
then. I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”
“Didn’t mean it, my ass. She ruined someone’s life and
shamelessly stole your place. How dare she still show up?”
The voice dripped with disgust and slowly faded.
Adrienne sat motionless, like someone paralyzed. Every inch of
her blood had gone cold, her lips colorless.
She stood, grabbed the soaked scarf, and looked at Garrett.
Chapter 2
“Garrett.”
She called out sweetly.
He already had his blazer draped over his arm. At her voice, he
tugged at his tie irritably and didn’t look at her. “What now?” He
sounded annoyed.
She smiled as she spoke. “Let’s get a divorce, Garrett.”
A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, quickly followed by a dark
scowl. “What new stunt is this? First, you drugged me to sleep
with you. And now you’re all high and mighty, wanting a
divorce. Aren’t you tired of yourself, Adrienne?”
“I’m sorry I wasted three years of your time. But I mean it this
time.”
The sarcasm in his eyes faded bit by bit. He suddenly yanked
her close, his fingers gripping her chin harshly. Seeing her
wince in pain finally eased some of the tight frustration in his
chest. “Now you say you wasted my time? What the hell were
you thinking three years ago? Listen to me, Adrienne. You want
a divorce, right? You won’t get a cent from me!”
“I’ll walk away with nothing.”
Her eyes were clear, her voice calm.
Chapter 2
Back then, after Garrett was brought back to the Melendez
family, Adrienne, who stayed by his side, was taken in as their
goddaughter. Everyone knew the truth. Actually, the Melendez
parents didn’t want their long–lost second son marrying a
woman of average background, so they gave her a goddaughter
title to quiet the gossip.
Garrett stared at her cool, quiet face. His throat moved silently
as he turned around.
“Fine. Walk away with nothing. Just don’t regret it.”
It had started raining outside at some point. The villa was on a
mountaintop in the suburbs, and it was hard to get a ride here.
