Part 2Ten Years in Vain

Dragging my heavy body, I stepped out of the gated community and hailed a cab. Before opening the car door, I took one last look at that mansion—perhaps this was the best ending. At least it wouldn't be like my previous life, where I sacrificed my life for someone who never loved me.

Unable to go back to my parents' house, I could only return to my small pre-marital apartment. I threw the sheets and duvet covers into the washing machine, then wiped down tables and mopped the floors, leaving no corner untouched. By the time everything was tidied, it was already late night. A cramping pain subtly radiated from my belly. I curled up in bed, clutching a pillow, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. A cold, wet sensation on my face surprised me; it was tears. Ten years of bitter, unrequited love ending so abruptly. My heart ached.

I wrestled with the decision of whether to keep the baby, tossing and turning through a sleepless night. But Julian, meanwhile, was lost in Chloe Peterson's tender embrace, seemingly forgetting all else. The trending actress had been frequently flaunting her happiness on social media: candlelit dinners, expensive jewelry, designer handbags… The backgrounds of her photos and videos were all too familiar—my marital home. There was even one photo where the reflection of a tall, imposing man preparing a late-night snack in the kitchen was visible on the glass window. That particular photo had delighted her fans for a long time, and it had left me stunned for equally as long. The man who wouldn't even pour me a glass of water when I had a high fever was now willing to cook for another woman.

A week later, on a Monday, the day of Sterling Corp.'s board meeting, I took the opportunity to return to the mansion. I quickly packed my bags, grabbed my documents, and headed downstairs, only to run straight into Julian, who had rushed back. Seeing the items in my hand, he let out a cold laugh, snatched my luggage, and flung it aside.

I frowned at him. "What are you doing?"

"Aurora Hayes, I should be asking you what you're doing!"

"Are you so childish that you're still playing the 'running away from home' game?"

"What's your next move? Are you going to threaten suicide again, like before?" Julian's brows furrowed, his face filled with disgust as he chastised me.

"Why would I kill myself?" I scoffed, gripping the stair railing tightly. The old me truly wasn't clear-headed enough. To win him back, I repeatedly used my life as a threat. But after living through my previous life, I understood that living was the most important thing. I never wanted to experience the despair of hitting rock bottom again. Moreover, a cold-hearted, unfeeling man like Julian was simply not worth my lingering affection.

Julian sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. "What new trick are you pulling? I'm busy. I don't have time for your drama."

"Those tactics of yours, they might work once or twice, but too many times, it's just crying wolf."

I looked directly at Julian, explaining: "You're overthinking it. I'm here to pack my things and move out."

"Julian, let's get a divorce."

Julian, uncharacteristically, froze for a moment, then looked at me with increased impatience. "Divorce? You're carrying a Sterling heir, and you're bringing up divorce now? Do you think you can use this child to flaunt your status?"

I didn't respond to him. I carefully walked downstairs, from my bag, I pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared in advance and handed them to him. "Yes, I want a divorce."

"I don't want anything from the Sterling family. I just want to separate from you." Julian and I had been married for six years, but during those years, aside from the routine maintenance of this villa, he hadn't spent any significant money on me. To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Sterling, but only I knew that every penny I spent came from my freelance online writing. Since I hadn't spent Julian's money during our marriage, I certainly had no desire for financial entanglement with him in a divorce.

Julian quickly scanned the document, his expression unreadable, and set it aside. A scoff escaped his throat, its cold echo like an ice pick piercing my heart: "Leave with nothing? Aurora Hayes, are you thirty years old and still so naive?" He casually tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table, then suddenly rose, looming over me, his shadow completely engulfing me: "Without the mighty Sterling family, do you think your father and brother can stand firm in the business world?"

"After the divorce, how will your family sustain your current extravagant lifestyle?"

I leaned back, avoiding his approach, the emotions swirling beneath my eyelashes solidifying into frost. I stubbornly pressed my lips together. "Julian, even if you use my family as leverage, you can't trap me anymore."

As if stunned by the resolve in my eyes, Julian stepped back, his expression growing colder and harder. "Reason?" He paused, then conceded: "Because I brought someone home and made you uncomfortable? I apologize. This time it was my fault. I promise I won't let them appear in front of you again."

My nails dug into my palms. For the first time, I laughed openly and defiantly. "No need, Julian."

"For these past six years, I've had enough of your emotional torment and abuse. I've had enough of daily waiting for a man whose heart was never truly with me."

I suddenly pulled off the only string of beads he had given me. The round beads clattered onto the carpet.

"Even if it means my entire family has to work as dishwashers or sweep streets, I will never be your puppet again."