Chapter 2

In my previous life, I never had the courage to confront it.

I held onto this foolish hope that three years of marriage could somehow outweigh seven years of his longing for Unity.

I thought if I was obedient enough, mature enough, and caring enough, he'd eventually look back and notice me.

But the truth was, I was dead wrong.

A substitute would always remain a substitute. No matter what, I could never become the one he truly loved.

I picked up the divorce agreement and grabbed a Montblanc pen from the holder.

Back by the bed, I held the phone up to my face and put on the softest, most helpless look I could manage.

Then I dialed the number that was etched into my soul.

The phone rang forever before he finally picked up, and I could hear the blaring airport announcements in the background.

Ollie's voice came through, clearly annoyed at being bothered.

He asked, "Violet, what are you up to now? Didn't I tell you I'm busy today?"

As I listened to his icy voice, it felt like a giant hand was crushing my heart, leaving a dull, throbbing pain inside.

This was the man I'd spent ten years loving.

From the moment I first saw him at sixteen in school, to marrying him at twenty-two, I poured all my youth into him.

I copied Unity's style, kept my hair long like hers, and even choked down cilantro, which I absolutely hated, just because he liked it.

I turned myself into her clone, but he never spared me a second glance.

I closed my eyes, forcing all the sour, aching feelings back down.

When I spoke again, I was mimicking Unity's signature fragile, pitiful tone, my voice trembling with grievance and tears.

I said, "Ollie, my head hurts so much. I just saw Unity's post on social media. She's back, right? Did you go pick her up?"

There was a brief silence on the other end.

I could almost see Ollie's brows furrowing, hating how I was making a fuss again.

Sure enough, he let out a cold laugh.

He said, "Violet, stop pretending. Unity coming back, that's between her and me. None of your business.

"My heart will always belong to her. You should've realized that the day you married me."

I should've realized it long ago.

The Fox family needed a daughter-in-law from a matching background to secure their business ties, and as it happened, my features were strikingly similar to Unity's.

So I ended up as the perfect stand-in.

I choked out, my voice trembling just enough, "I'm not making a scene. I just miss you."

"Don't bother me." With that, he was about to hang up.

"Wait!" I called out urgently, stopping him.

Then I held the divorce agreement I'd prepared right in front of the screen and said, clear and steady, word by word, "Ollie, let's end this marriage.

"Look, I've already signed it. From now on, you'll never have to deal with me again."

The line went dead silent.

I could hear Ollie's breathing turn rough, layered over the sugary airport announcements, female voices calling out flight info. The irony of it all stung.

I kept the divorce papers raised, my arm aching, but my face only grew steadier.

I waited for his response, patient as a prisoner awaiting sentence, only this time, I was the one holding the knife.

After a long pause, Ollie's deep voice finally came through the phone, laced with disbelief.

He said, "Violet, do you even know what you're saying?"

There was no hint of regret or reluctance in his tone, just a simmering anger, as if I'd dared to challenge his authority.

To him, it was as if my request for a divorce wasn't because my heart had finally given up, but just another pathetic ploy to grab his attention.

I laughed bitterly, the sound laced with self-deprecation.

I said, "Of course I do."

I shifted into a more comfortable position, propping my phone against the pillow so the camera had a clear shot of my face and the divorce papers in my hand.

I said, "Ollie, I'm divorcing you.

"I don't want a single cent. All the cars, houses, jewelry, everything you gave me, I'll give back just as you gave them. I'm walking away with nothing.

"I only have one condition."

My gaze cut through the screen, as if I could see him on the other side, locking eyes with him.

I added, "I want you back here to sign the papers right now."

Ollie was clearly pissed at how I wouldn't budge. He let out a cold snort, and the sarcasm in his voice practically oozed through the phone.

He asked, "Leave with nothing? Violet, you really think I'd buy your bullshit again?

"How many times have you pulled this stunt in the past three years? Every time, you make a big scene, but nothing ever happens. Unity's back now, so you want to crank up the drama?"

He paused, sounding even more dismissive.

He continued, "Don't waste your breath. I'm not playing along with your act today. Keep that agreement if you want. When I've got nothing better to do, maybe I'll come back and check out your 'performance.'"

With that, he was about to hang up.

"Wait," I called out, stopping him again.

I steadied myself, my voice softening, carrying a barely noticeable fragility.

I asked, "Ollie, are you really not coming back?"