Chapter 3

Audrey's POV

I didn't bother to read the specific terms of the agreement, just stared at those few words.

Three years ago, Sterling Corp faced a crisis, and his grandfather was gravely ill. Julian was trapped, besieged from all sides.

But Chloe, when he needed her most, chose to leave the country to pursue her music dreams, walking away without a second glance.

It was I who used all my mother's savings to plug the company's financial hole.

It was I who stayed by his side, sleepless nights, when he was blackout drunk.

It was I who painstakingly prepared the perfect strategy to counter the board's attacks.

It was also I who learned to cook all sorts of stomach-soothing soups when he suffered from gastritis.

I thought even the coldest heart would eventually warm to me, that my love could melt stone.

But I forgot that Julian's heart wasn't stone; it was ice.

Ice that only melted for Chloe.

He married me because I bore a slight resemblance to her, and because his grandfather had practically blackmailed him with an ultimatum.

For three years of marriage, he was utterly cold to me, grudging me even a civil glance.

He never took me to any public events. In all of Manhattan, hardly anyone knew who I was, Mrs. Julian Sterling.

He hadn't even touched me once.

We were husband and wife, yet we lived more like strangers under the same roof.

Every effort, every attempt to win his favor, was twisted into ulterior motives and insatiable greed in his eyes.

"What? Not enough for you?" Julian saw my continued silence and sneered, a cruel twist to his lips. "Audrey, don't be so greedy."

"This villa, plus ten million in the account, is more than enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life."

"Don't forget, you married me for money, didn't you? Wasn't that your whole game?"

I slowly lifted my head, looking at his handsome yet cruel face.

All I ever wanted was him.

But what was the point of saying that now?

I forced a faint smile. "Mr. Sterling is truly generous."

He frowned, then the contempt in his eyes deepened. "Good, glad you see sense."

I ignored him, turned, and went upstairs.

I took a hot shower and changed into clean clothes. The pain in my stomach seemed to ease a little, but the hollowness in my heart grew wider.

The next morning, I went for a follow-up at the hospital. The scent of antiseptic in the hallway was thick and suffocating.

I sat on a cold bench, waiting for my number to be called.

"Audrey?" A warm male voice spoke above me.

I looked up, seeing a familiar face. The man, in a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses, had kind eyes and was looking at me with a hint of uncertainty.

"Daniel Harrison?" I was surprised.

Daniel, my college classmate and the president of our art club back then. He'd always looked out for me, like an older brother. We'd lost touch after graduation; I never expected to see him here.

"It really is you." Daniel sat beside me, his voice gentle. "What are you doing here? You look terrible. Are you not feeling well?"

My eyes burned, and I choked back a sob. It had been so long since anyone had shown me such genuine concern.

I shook my head. "It's nothing, just a bit of stomach trouble. Here for a check-up."

I couldn't tell him the truth. I didn't want anyone to see my weakness or my mess.

Daniel, a gastroenterologist, clearly didn't buy my flimsy excuse. But seeing that I didn't want to elaborate, he didn't press, just sighed. "Audrey, you've lost so much weight. Have you been well these past few years?"

Have I been well?

I married the man I loved most, yet I lived the most miserable life.

I lowered my eyes. "I'm doing great."

Daniel looked at me, his gaze complex, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, it just turned into another sigh. He pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to me. "This is my number. If you ever feel unwell, you can always come to me."

"Thank you."

Leaving the hospital, Daniel insisted on driving me home. I couldn't refuse him, so I got into his car. The car drove smoothly; we chatted about college memories, and the atmosphere lightened considerably. The gloom that had pressed on my heart for years seemed to lift a little.

The car stopped at the villa gate. Just as I was about to get out, my phone buzzed.

It was a text message from Julian.

I opened it. A photo glared from the screen. In the picture, Daniel was gallantly opening the car door for me, a gentle smile on his face. The angle made it look incredibly suggestive, as if I was desperate to throw myself into his arms.

Immediately, a second text popped up.

"Already found a new fling? Audrey, you wasted no time, did you? Then hurry up and sign the papers. Don't hold me back."

He'd had me followed.

In his mind, I was that kind of disgusting woman.

I looked out the car window. Daniel's car was already a distant, blurry shadow.

I returned to the villa. Julian wasn't there.

Good.

I took out the divorce agreement and flipped to the last page. I picked up a pen and slowly signed my name where required.

From this moment on, Audrey Harrison and Julian Sterling were completely severed.