Chapter 2

Liam didn't come home all night. My SnapChat messages filled the chat window.

He never explained himself to me, nor did he care about my feelings.

For him, finding a woman to appease his parents' nagging, and giving me a million a month in spending money, was his greatest benevolence.

I was the one stubbornly loving him, believing that one day I could melt his frozen heart.

Before I could fully process things, Kenzie Miller ran in, her eyes red and swollen:

"Amy, can you please give me some painkillers? My husband was really too rough last night."

The uncanny coincidence made me wonder if she was deliberately making a scene in front of me.

But as a doctor, I couldn't refuse a patient's request.

I took a deep breath, motioned for her to lie down, and prepared to take an X-ray.

But just as I took out the sterilized instruments, Kenzie suddenly groaned in pain:

"I'm so sorry, Amy, I didn't know you were Liam's wife. I really didn't mean it, he never told me any of this, and I didn't know I was the other woman."

"You can hit me, scold me, or even remove my uterus if you want, but please, please don't make me leave Liam, okay?"

"I really, really love him."

"Bang!"

I was shoved with tremendous force into the instrument cabinet. Glass shattered instantly, and a sharp pair of forceps plunged straight into my eye.

Blood gushed out, and in the blurry instant before my vision gave out, I saw Liam Hayes, holding Kenzie close in his arms.

He was in a sharp suit, his cold face softened with a hint of distress. The moment he looked at me, his brows furrowed:

"If I hadn't happened to pass by, would you have already removed her uterus?"

"Is this your medical ethics? Is this how you were raised, Amy!?"

Each word pierced my heart like a knife.

I lay on the ground, gasping, stubbornly craning my neck:

"Raised? After finding out your husband has been cheating with another woman for four years, am I still supposed to cherish her and treat her like gold!?"

"You attacked me without question, and cheated for four years—is *that* what you call being well-raised!?"

I thought my breakdown would at least make Liam feel a shred of shame.

But I had overestimated my standing in his heart.

He calmly led Kenzie to a treatment bed, meticulously and gently examining her from the tips of her hair to her toes.

It wasn't until he noticed a fake eyelash had fallen off that his whole demeanor turned icy.

He advanced towards me, the oppressive aura of a powerful man looming over me:

"Amelia Reed, I don't like airing private matters like this, and I especially don't like you hurting Kenzie."

"I can grant your wish and let you remain my legal wife for life, but you will pay for what you did today."

He carefully carried Kenzie out, leaving only me, bloody and mangled, and my assistant in the examination room.

Just because Kenzie's fake eyelash had fallen off.

My husband ordered someone to pluck out every single one of my eyelashes.

Just because Kenzie's manicure was chipped.

My 'light' demanded that all my fingernails be torn out.

I fainted and woke up again, the floor covered in dried blood, my once loving heart numb with pain. I grabbed my phone and called Liam:

"Liam Hayes, I'm divorcing you!"

It was the first time he'd answered my call instantly.

After a moment of silence, his hoarse, deep voice came through:

"Come find me."

After a quick bandage, I stubbornly dressed myself to look alluring and dignified.

But no matter how much makeup I put on, my eyes always lacked Kenzie's innocent, naive sparkle.

Yet, when I first married Liam, I was even brighter and more innocent than her.

I wiped off and redrew my makeup again and again, arriving at the business club after dark.

This was the first time Liam had ever met me anywhere other than our home.

In all our years of marriage, he never needed a female companion, never needed a wife for social engagements, and never wanted to introduce me to his friends.

So this was the first time I learned that the lavish "Kenzie & Liam's Love" was Liam Hayes's establishment.

Kenzie Miller and Liam Hayes's love.

I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

The private room door was slightly ajar, and I heard men's laughter from inside:

"You bastard, Amy never blamed you after all these years of your crap, so why is she suddenly divorcing you today?"

"Honestly, even if you don't like her, you shouldn't be doing it every month during her special time, right? If you really made her sick, how would you explain it to Mr. Reed? He's abroad, but if he comes back, he'll make you pay."

Liam stubbed out his cigarette, his voice incredibly calm:

"She'd be thrilled! Doesn't she always practically throw herself at me, cleaning herself up and waiting in bed?"

"She could refuse me, but she always seems to enjoy it."

"Besides, every month when Kenzie gets her period, I can't bear to ask her to 'help me out,' so I have to make do with you."

Laughter erupted in the room, one after another. My face turned pale as I leaned against the door, humiliation and hatred consuming me.

Yes, it was true. I craved that one chance a month to be intimate with him.

I couldn't bear to push him away when my body was most vulnerable.

I accidentally bumped the door open, stumbling awkwardly and falling towards Liam.

Surprisingly, he didn't dodge.

After steadying me, his face darkened:

"What kind of outfit is that?"

His sudden concern made my heart race, completely catching me off guard.

"Trying to look young. It's ugly."

I froze.

I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and looked up at him:

"I'm here to talk about the divorce."

The people in the room discreetly dispersed, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.

Liam lay sprawled on the couch, his legs spread, eyes fixed on my face as he raised an eyebrow:

"You were the one who wanted to marry me back then, and now you're the one insisting on divorce."

Just as I was about to get angry, he pulled me into his arms, his chiseled face suddenly pressing close.

He kissed my lips without warning.

The smell of alcohol instantly hit me.

My legs went weak, uncontrollably.

Four years of marriage, and this—this was the first time he had ever kissed me.

But the next second, he pushed me away, his eyes filled with hatred and sarcasm:

"You've really stooped low. If you love me, why use such cheap tricks to get my attention?"

"I'm warning you, this is the first and last time."

"If you ever upset Kenzie again, don't blame me for being ruthless."