Chapter 2
“What did you just say? Have you lost your mind?”
No.
I hadn’t lost my mind.
I was finally seeing clearly. Finally done being a fool.
The man in front of me wasn’t the person I fell for. No reason to keep this going.
I shook my head, voice flat:
“I’m not crazy. I’m serious. I want a divorce.”
Panic flashed across Callum’s face. Before he could respond, Tessa jumped in.
“Callum, you’re not actually buying this, are you? She’s just throwing a tantrum because you made her clean. She’s trying to manipulate you into backing down.”
“She’s been living off you for years. Can’t do anything on her own. Why would she give up her cushy life as a rich man’s wife?”
Callum visibly relaxed, then sneered:
“Nice try, Maisie. I’m not falling for it. Get cleaning and apologize.”
The screen went dark.
I couldn’t really blame Callum for thinking that.
After five years of marriage, I’d loved him from the lowest place possible.
Back in college, I was painfully insecure.
Even when people pushed me around, I never fought back.
One time, I went to a shop near campus to replace my violin strings.
The owner tried to scam me, claiming he’d used premium strings and demanding five grand.
I stood there clutching my shirt, face going red:
“I don’t have that kind of money. I don’t want them.”
But he wouldn’t back off, saying once they were on, I had to pay.
That’s when Callum showed up.
He instantly called the guy out. “You already got arrested for this once. Want to go back?”
The owner backed off.
Later, Callum noticed my violin was so old it couldn’t even hold a tune. As student council president, he got me into the campus orchestra.
Every night, I could practice using their instruments.
I started falling for him.
He felt like this light cutting through all the darkness in my life.
17:06
He Left Me a Mop and Took His Secretary to Paris?! Watch Me Clean House and Clean Him Out!
12.5%
Chapter 2
Because of him, I became more confident. Less afraid.
Then we got together.
After graduation, he said he wanted to start a business. I supported him, working three jobs to keep us afloat.
Also around that time, I found my biological parents. They were wealthy.
Turned out I’d been kidnapped as a kid by one of their business rivals.
So my real parents adored me–gave me anything I asked for.
I had them secretly fund Callum’s startup. Didn’t tell him.
Because I knew his pride wouldn’t take it.
I wanted to wait until his business took off, then surprise him.
Turns out, he had the surprise for me first.
But he thought this stunt would make me fold?
Dream on.
I pressed the hidden button on my necklace.
The red gemstone blinked once.
Signal sent.
Dad had this custom–made after we reunited–because of what happened when I was taken.
He told me no matter what, if I pressed that button, he’d come for me.
Now all I had to do was wait.
