Chapter 3

I dragged my exhausted body back to my parents' house.

My mom hugged me with concern. "Sweetheart, what happened to your face?"

"Where's Dominic? Didn't he come back with you?"

I buried myself in my mother's embrace, tears soaking my face.

"Did you and Dominic have a fight? What happened?"

My mother's gentle comfort opened the floodgates of all my grievances.

"Mom, that child..."

After I told my parents everything, they were stunned.

"I never imagined Dominic was that kind of person. How could he have the nerve to do such things!"

"Divorce him. We don't want a penny of their money. We don't need it."

My father grew angrier as he spoke, even wanting to rush to the Chase house and confront them, but I stopped him.

The next day at the office, I went to get the divorce papers.

When I reached the top floor and pushed open Dominic's office door, I saw him and Chloe together, amusing Rosie.

When they saw me, Dominic immediately stood up.

He looked at the wound on my face with concern.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yesterday."

"You know Chloe is the most cherished person in our family. I can't stand to see her suffer even a little."

Dominic grabbed my hand and pressed it to his own face.

"I lost my head yesterday. Hit me, okay? As long as it makes you feel better, you can hit me or yell at me all you want."

I pulled away, saying coldly, "I'm here for the divorce papers."

"What's wrong with you, honey? Tell me, please."

These past two days had drained all my energy.

"I just want to divorce you. I'm tired. I don't love you anymore."

Dominic refused to listen, just kept shaking his head.

"That's impossible. Honey, what did I do wrong? I'll change."

"You're lying. How could you not love me anymore? If you don't like her, we won't adopt her. If we can't have children, that's fine. I only need you."

Dominic held me tightly, as if trying to merge me into his body.

"Dominic! Can't you understand plain English? I have one requirement—divorce!"

I said each word deliberately: "Do you want me to spell out all the dirty things you've done?"

"Honey, what did I do wrong? Tell me and I'll change."

Dominic appeared calm on the surface, but I caught the flash of panic on his face.

Chloe interrupted him.

"Dominic, just let her go. This ungrateful woman doesn't remember any of the good things you've done. Her conscience has been eaten by dogs."

"With so many women out there, you must have been blind to pick her."

Dominic slapped her. Chloe covered her face in disbelief.

"Apologize to Miranda."

Chloe stubbornly turned her head away, tears welling in her eyes.

"If you won't sign, then I'll see you in court."

With that parting shot, I walked out of the office.

As I rode the elevator down, many people whispered behind my back, glancing at their phones.

I grabbed one of their phones. "What are you gossiping about me?"

The company group chat had 99+ messages pinging.

"I heard that child is the CEO's daughter. He said so himself."

"Mrs. Chase is really being unreasonable. Who would even notice such a tiny birthmark?"

"That child looks so cute and well-behaved. I'd want to adopt her. How could anyone not like her?"

"It's her own fault for not being able to have children. Now she's taking it out on the kid. Poor CEO, stuck with such a shrew at home."

Chloe suddenly sent a message: "Anyone else gossiping gets fired."

The group chat immediately went silent.

I laughed coldly. Chloe really had some nerve.

Riding on Dominic's coattails all the way to Executive Secretary.