Chapter 3

Julian frowned. “Audrey, don’t be childish.”

He let go of Serena, his expression turning serious as he looked at me.

“Serena is only Mrs. Sterling in name.”

“But you are still my wife.”

He rubbed the corner of his eye, sighing. “I promised my parents I’d take care of you.”

My heart lurched.

So, all these years, our marriage had just been him fulfilling a promise.

“And one more thing. The Sterling Corp shares in your name, transfer them to Serena today. Consider it her compensation.”

After my family went bankrupt, on the day we got married, Julian transferred over half of his shares to me.

“My love, these are your leverage.”

“If one day you find me unworthy, just sell all the shares, bring me down, bankrupt me. Make me learn my lesson.”

I looked at the share transfer agreement laid out before me.

I met Julian’s gaze calmly. “I’ll transfer the shares if we divorce. Sign the papers, and I’ll sign these.”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Julian’s eyes.

“Audrey, don’t push my limits.”

He handed me a video.

His lips parted, his voice chilling. “I hear your mom can’t be off her ventilator for more than three minutes.”

In the video, my mom’s oxygen mask was removed. Her face instantly turned ashen.

“I’ll sign! I’ll sign!” I cried out, signing rapidly.

The person in the video still hadn’t put the oxygen mask back on.

I screamed, desperate, “Julian Sterling, hurry! I’ve already signed!”

Julian let out a cold laugh. “Audrey, this is an AI-generated video Serena made. It’s not real.”

“I wouldn’t hurt your mom.”

“Even though I’ve taken your shares, I’ve had Serena set up a linked payment account for you. You’ll have a limit of five hundred thousand a month—that should be plenty.”

Even though he said the video was fake, a knot of unease remained in my stomach.

“Julian Sterling, please, just this once.”

Tears streamed down my face without my realizing.

Julian’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Then I’ll…”

“Honey, Kevin wants you to tell him a story! Come on!” Serena’s call echoed, and Julian’s eyes reverted to their usual indifference as he looked at me.

He distantly responded to Serena, then his cold gaze returned to me. “Audrey, stop being dramatic.”

“Serena is inherently kind. She would never harm your mom.”