Chapter 4

The next morning, the bed beside me was still cold.

Chloe hadn't returned all night.

This time, I didn't feel jealous, and I didn't feel angry. I just let out a cold laugh.

After having breakfast at the local diner, we went out to the historic center of Woodstock for outdoor sketching.

Chloe and Sebastian walked side-by-side in front of me.

I followed behind them like a ghost, a glorified pack mule carrying their heavy gear.

When we stopped under the roof of an old, rustic building, they decided to set up their easels.

Just as they were setting up their tools, I noticed the heavy slate roof tiles above Chloe’s head starting to slide.

"Watch out!"

My body reacted before my brain did. I lunged forward to push Chloe out of the way.

But when Chloe sensed the danger, she didn't grab me. Instead, she violently shoved me aside and threw her arms around Sebastian, pulling him out of the danger zone.

Because of her shove, I stumbled and fell directly under the collapsing roof.

"CRASH!"

A deafening roar filled my ears.

The old wooden beam snapped, and dozens of heavy, sharp slate tiles rained down directly onto my back.

I collapsed onto the gravel, a sharp, excruciating pain radiating through my entire body.

As my consciousness started to slip away, I forced my eyes open.

I saw Chloe frantically checking Sebastian from head to toe.

Once she was absolutely sure Sebastian didn't have a single scratch, she burst into tears and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

Looking at this scene, my eyes finally closed, and I plunged into darkness.

...

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

Chloe was nowhere to be seen. Only Liam was sitting by my bed.

Seeing me stir, Liam handed me a thick folder.

"Ethan, we got the background check back. Your wife’s mentor is a complete fraud. His entire degree and credentials are fake. He’s basically a con artist who specializes in manipulating female students for money!"

"He secretly takes compromising photos and videos of these girls, posts them online for profit, and eventually coerces them into becoming 'live models' for underground auctions. He pockets all the money, which is how he funds his gallery and exhibitions."

I flipped through the documents. The evidence was irrefutable.

Liam sighed, looking at me. "What’s your plan? He's a criminal, but your wife literally put your life in danger to save him. Please tell me you’re not going to be soft-hearted and try to save her."

I smiled coldly. "I’m not that stupid anymore."

Right after Liam left, the hospital room door pushed open, and Chloe walked in.

She stood at the foot of my bed, giving me a quick, careless scan before speaking.

"There's a major art competition next month, so I'm moving into Sebastian’s apartment for a while. It’ll make it easier for us to prepare for it together."

I stared at her, feeling nothing but disgust.

I was lying in a hospital bed because of her.

She hadn't asked how I was feeling once. Instead, she had the audacity to tell me she was moving in with another man!

At this moment, I stopped holding back.

"Let’s get a divorce."

Chloe froze.

A moment later, rage flushed her face.

"Here we go again! I am doing this for my career, for the competition! Can you please grow up and stop being so incredibly narrow-minded?!"

I closed my eyes, refusing to say another word.

Seeing my silence, Chloe scoffed.

"Whatever. Whether you agree or not, I’m doing it. You have no right to stop me!"

She turned and stormed out of the room.

Once the door clicked shut, I unlocked my phone.

Without hesitation, I opened my banking app and canceled the authorized black card that had funded Chloe’s luxurious life for years.

Then, I dialed a number.

"Hi, I’d like to speak with a divorce attorney."

Looking at the folder of evidence in my hands, I muttered coldly:

"Chloe, since you love your art so much..."

"Go ahead and rot in it."