Chapter 2

Seeing the divorce papers again, Mark exploded in a fit of rage. He pulled out a pen and scrawled his signature.

"Fine, I agree! I'd love to see how a mere housewife manages to survive with a sick child!"

I numbly collected the divorce papers, watching the sheer delight on Cassandra's face.

I'll be back with my family in three days. Let's see if she still holds onto that million-dollar bonus then.

As I was about to leave, Mark blocked my path.

"Scarlett, I'm giving you one more chance. Apologize to Cassandra, and these divorce papers mean nothing. You'll still be my wife."

Cassandra wrapped her arm around Mark's, then deliberately tugged her collar open, revealing a fresh hickey on her neck.

"Scarlett, if you just get down on your knees and apologize to me, I'll ask Mark to withdraw the divorce papers."

I let out a cold laugh.

"I don't have a habit of fighting over garbage."

With that, I pushed Mark aside and stormed out. Behind me, I heard his furious shout.

"From this day forward, Scarlett Miller and any stray dogs are banned from this company!"

Years ago, I'd left my family to start this company with Mark. I'd wanted to prove to them that I hadn't chosen the wrong man. In the end, it was all just a joke.

Walking out of the building, I dialed my father's number. It rang for a long time, but no one answered. The tears I'd held back for so long finally broke free. My son was running out of time.

I could only try to sell the jewelry and designer bags Mark had given me. But every luxury consignment shop and pawn broker in the city told me they couldn't take them.

At the last store, Mark and Cassandra were there. He looked annoyed when he saw me.

"Scarlett, those were my gifts to you. Are you really just going to trash my generosity like this?"

It clicked then. Mark had told all these stores not to buy my things.

I lunged forward and slapped him hard.

"You bastard! Do you even deserve to be Leo's father?! The doctors said Leo won't live long if he doesn't get a new heart before he turns three! If it weren't for you, he'd be fine by now!"

Six months ago, the hospital found a matching donor organ. I already had the surgery funds ready. But that's when Cassandra's father showed up at the company, demanding money to pay off his gambling debts. Mark used that million to pay off Cassandra's father, then used the remaining two hundred thousand to set Cassandra up in her own place.

And now, he was blocking me from getting Leo's surgery funds.

The thought made me rush him, ready to hit him again. But he grabbed me, holding me tight.

"What's wrong with you?! How could you lie about our son's condition just for attention?! Cassandra asked the doctor; waiting two more months won't hurt him!"

I shifted my gaze to Cassandra, and my eyes landed on the bracelet on her wrist.

That was my eighteenth birthday gift from my parents, one of a kind in the entire world. I sold it years ago to give Mark his startup capital. He'd promised to buy it back for me, but instead, he'd given it to Cassandra.

Mark only flinched for a second under my gaze.

"You hit Cassandra and didn't apologize. This bracelet is her compensation."

I blinked back the stinging tears, gritted my teeth, and walked away. My son's surgery was tomorrow morning; I didn't have much time.

I'll deal with you both later!