Chapter 1
When Cole Mercer asked for a divorce again because of Blair Floyd, I didn't refuse.
His hand paused as he took off his ring, then a cold laugh escaped him.
He sneered, "What are you trying to pull this time?
"Let me warn you. If you dare to hurt her again, I won't let you off."
I calmly signed the divorce papers and said, "Don't worry. I'm completely over you."
When I calmly said it and signed the divorce papers, Cole's sneer froze.
He'd been all set for me to cry, throw a fit, or beg him not to leave.
He had even thought about how to say back with something nastier, but my calm attitude totally threw him off.
His fingers subconsciously rubbed the wedding ring he had just taken off.
Then, he suddenly gripped it tightly in his palm.
"Really?" he snorted.
He gave a mocking laugh, clearly not buying it.
He continued, "Elsie, you've said this so many times before.
"What new tricks are you going to play this time? Is this another one of your reverse psychology moves?"
He stared into my eyes, looking for any sign I was faking it, just like he'd done so many times in the past.
But I just looked up at him calmly, my eyes empty, as if he were just a stranger to me.
My utter indifference made him feel more out of control than ever.
He stepped closer, his voice raised, clearly offended and angry.
He shouted, "I'm warning you. Don't even think about messing with Blair again!
"If you dare bother her like last time, don't expect me to show you any mercy just because of our history!"
"Our history?" I asked as I pushed the signed divorce papers toward him.
"I've already signed them," I said calmly, not a trace of emotion.
I added, "I haven't touched any of your stuff. Just pack it up and let your assistant pick it up.
"From now on, you and Blair have nothing to do with me. "
Cole stood frozen, staring at me. He opened his mouth, but in the end, all he could muster was an empty warning.
He snapped, "You'd better remember what you said today!"
The door slammed shut, its echo bouncing around the empty living room, leaving a heavy noise that pressed down on my chest.
I stood on the icy tiles by the front door, staring at that closed door until the tension in my chest slowly faded. Only then did I turn and walk towards the couch.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table, and the screen lit up.
A voice message popped up.
No contact name, but I recognized the profile picture.
My finger hovered over the screen for a moment, but I finally tapped it.
The voice came out loud and clear in the unusually quiet living room.
Blair's voice was bursting with joy and smugness. She said, "Elsie, Cole is at my place now.
"He doesn't seem to be in a good mood, but it doesn't matter. I'll accompany him."
There was the faint sound of fabric rustling, and a teasing little gasp in the background, like she was being tickled.
The second voice message popped up right after.
She said, "Elsie, seeing that you finally signed, I'm really so happy for you.
"If only you'd done this sooner, you wouldn't have made yourself so embarrassed.
"Cole had told me that you have gotten more and more out of control in recent years.
"He said you were acting totally crazy, and he just couldn't hold it anymore.
"But don't be too sad.
"When a guy stops loving you, that's it. The way you cling to him makes you look desperate.
"Cole said you always act like you know him well, and think you've done a lot for him.
"But honestly, none of it was what he really wanted. Your own efforts just moved you."
Her voice got lower, but it cut even deeper.
She continued, "He said that he was annoyed when he saw you, and that he had a headache when he heard your voice.
"He said he only feels relaxed and needed when he's with me.
"Elsie, wake up. You were never the one he loved.
"You were just a burden he couldn't get rid of, a problem he was stuck with!"
"By the way, he said that you pretended to be pretty cool just now?
"Seriously, that cracked me up.
"Do you really think he would be impressed by you, or even change his mind about you?
"Stop dreaming!
"Let me tell you, in bed just now, he held me and said he finally felt free and no more hiding, finally able to be with me for real.
"And he said..."
She deliberately paused, then chuckled softly.