Chapter 3
1066 Words
Thomas stared at the words 'Divorce Agreement,' his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice strained.
"Divorce," I repeated calmly. "When there's no trust left between a husband and wife, it's better for both of them to move on and find peace separately."
"Do you really have to take things this far?" His voice softened, carrying a hint of desperation. "If you'd just agree to the paternity test and give me an answer..."
"What difference would a test make?" I interrupted sharply. "Even if it proves I never cheated on you, would you punish Trisha for what she's done?"
I held his gaze without blinking. "Would you make her undergo prenatal DNA testing? Would you let me take proof of your affair to court and use it to finalize our divorce?"
The words caught in his throat.
For a long moment, he couldn't respond.
"Divorce, divorce, divorce!" he suddenly roared. "That's all you ever talk about now!" His temper exploded.
He snatched up the agreement and threw it back at me. "I understand now! You want a bigger settlement so you can spend it on your lover!" he shouted. "I'm telling you right now... it's never going to happen!" His eyes blazed with fury.
He added, "I'm not signing this agreement. If you want to leave, then you leave with nothing."
I bent down, picked up the pen, and signed the document without a second thought.
My signature flowed across the page smoothly and decisively.
Thomas lunged toward me.
Too late.
"You..." His hand trembled as he stared at the signed paper. "You're really willing to give up everything just to leave me?"
"I only want what's left of my engagement gifts."
His brows knitted together. "Those old paintings?" he scoffed. "That's all you want? Brittany, think carefully."
"I already have."
His eyes turned red. "Fine."
He gave a bitter nod. "Fine. Have it your way."
Right there and then, he called Mrs. Harper and ordered her to pack my belongings.
Ignoring the doctor's recommendation to remain hospitalized, he insisted on returning home with me.
The moment we entered the house, he grabbed Liam and ordered the staff to move my luggage into the servants' quarters.
"Until the waiting period ends," he declared, "you're staying here."
I frowned. "By what authority?"
"Because you're still Mrs. Blackwell," he said.
"This is unlawful confinement," I argued.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Neither of us was willing to back down.
I knew exactly what he was trying to do.
He wanted to keep me trapped in the house and force me to watch him and Trisha acting like a happy couple.
He thought jealousy would make me reconsider.
He thought I'd withdraw the divorce agreement. Unfortunately for him, he was wrong.
I couldn't be bothered wasting another breath arguing.
Grabbing my suitcase, I turned and headed for the stairs.
Suddenly, Thomas snatched Liam into his arms.
Before I could react, he slammed the child's head against the corner of the dining table.
The sickening impact echoed through the room.
Blood splattered instantly.
Liam burst into tears, screaming in agony.
I rushed forward and pulled him into my arms.
My entire body shook uncontrollably.
For the briefest moment, a flash of regret crossed Thomas' face.
Then it disappeared.
"The boy is hurt," he said coldly. "You're not seriously planning to drag him around in this weather while searching for a place to stay, are you?"
I slowly looked up at him.
The man standing before me felt like a complete stranger.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced.
The night Liam was born.
I had nearly died from severe bleeding during labor.
Outside the delivery room, Thomas had stood there with bloodshot eyes, begging the doctors to save me first.
Later, he had held our newborn son in his arms and swore he would spend the rest of his life protecting us.
And now?
Now he had deliberately injured his own child.
All to force me to stay.
I clenched my jaw. "Mr. Blackwell," I said through gritted teeth, "please call a doctor."
He gave a dismissive nod. "Fine."
Without another word, he wrapped an arm around Trisha's waist and led her into the master bedroom.
Over the following days, Trisha openly assumed the role of mistress of the house.
Whether I was in the living room, the dining room, or even passing through the stairwell, I constantly ran into them cuddling together.
Whenever Trisha attended a prenatal appointment, Thomas accompanied her personally.
One night, she suddenly wanted cake.
Despite the heavy snowfall outside, Thomas drove out himself to buy ingredients and spent the entire night baking for her.
He no longer paid any attention to Liam or me.
Meanwhile, my attorney called regularly, reminding me that the waiting period for the divorce was steadily counting down.
That evening, Liam curled up against me.
His small voice was barely above a whisper. "Mom?"
I stroked his hair gently. "Yes?"
He hesitated. "Are you really leaving Dad?"
"Yes."
His fingers tightened around my sleeve. "When are we going?" His eyes lowered. "I don't want to stay here anymore."
I glanced at my phone.
Soon. Very soon. Only two days remain.
In two days, Theo Reed would pass away.
And when that happened, Thomas' company would face a devastating crisis.
In my previous life, he had relied on the paintings from my engagement gifts to save his company and rebuild his fortune.
But this time, things would be different.
This time, I intended to strike first.
I unlocked my phone and sent a message to that contact.
Brittany: Be at the auction the day after tomorrow.
A moment later, I sent another.
Brittany: If Theo Reed survives, I'll work at your gallery for the rest of my life. You literally can't lose.
Several seconds passed. Then a one-word reply appeared.
Jordan: Deal.
- Writer
