Chapter 2

Blood kept pouring from the cut on my hand, but the pain inside hurt even more.

So Ryan had known about Stephen and Helen all along, and he even supported them.

I struggled to my feet, a fierce resolve in my eyes. "Get out. All of you. From now on, I don't have a son like you."

"Fine, that's your choice," Ryan shot back without a second thought. He pulled Stephen along and strode out, the door slamming shut behind them.

I was sitting on the couch, just finished bandaging my hand, when Hadley burst in.

She took one look at the mess and exploded. "What the hell happened here? Did we get robbed? Hailey, the place is trashed, and you're just sitting there like nothing happened?"

She jabbed a finger at me, yelling her head off, and even made a show of pulling out her phone to tattle to Stephen.

Normally, I'd just clean up and keep my mouth shut, but this time, I wasn't going to put up with it anymore.

I slapped her hand away and said coldly, "Quit your yelling. Keep it up, and you'll regret ever crossing me."

Hadley started wailing, putting on a big show. "Murder. Why am I so cursed to have a family like you?"

I grabbed her finger and bent it back hard. She let out a piercing scream.

"It's just us now. Your son wants a divorce, and even Ryan doesn't want me as his mom anymore. You really think I'm scared of you?" I said.

I stared her down, my gaze icy. She was so terrified that she shoved me away. "W-What nonsense are you spouting? I'm still young. If you two want a divorce, leave me out of it."

She hurried upstairs to make a call. Not long after, Stephen showed up with Ryan.

I got straight to the point. "Stephen, I'm fine with the divorce. Ryan stays with you. I don't care about the house or the car. All I want is 1.5 million as compensation for all the crap I've been through."

Stephen's face darkened. "What? 1.5 million? Why the hell should I pay you that?"

Ryan's face twisted, clearly worried I'd be cutting into his share.

I let out a cold laugh. "If you don't sign right now, you'll be stuck with me for life."

Stephen tried to argue. "Why are you giving up on Ryan?"

I held up my bleeding hand. "You really think I'd want an ungrateful brat like this?"

Ryan quickly grabbed Stephen's arm. "Dad, I don't want to stay with her. I'm coming with you."

"Don't worry, I'm not fighting for custody. I wasted fourteen years raising you for nothing. From now on, go call Helen your mom," I said coldly.

Stephen looked at me, clearly torn.

He was more interested in his son with Helen, but I couldn't care less. "If you want to take this to court, you won't win. You cheated on me. That alone means you'll walk away with nothing.

"And don't forget, I own 45% of the company, I funded it from the very beginning, and I've got the contracts. Sign the divorce papers today, or we can drag this out for the rest of our lives. I doubt Helen can."

Helen and Stephen's son, Ethan, just turned six, and he's about to start grade school.

That was exactly why Stephen had been egging Ryan on to push for the divorce lately.

"1.5 million? There's no way I can get that together right now. 300 thousand, maybe, that's all I can do," Stephen said, trying to bargain.

I turned to go upstairs, not giving him any chance to argue. "If I sold all my shares in the company, I'd get way more than 300 thousand. Stephen, don't test me."

He gritted his teeth, finally giving in. "Fine, I'll take custody of Ryan. But don't come crying to me later. From now on, you won't get to see him ever again."

He thought Ryan was my weak spot, trying to threaten me one last time. I let out a cold laugh. "Ungrateful little snake like that? I couldn't care less if I never see him again."

Ryan instantly snapped. "Look who's talking. When I make it big, don't even dream of me taking care of you. We're done for good. When you're gone, no one will even bother with your funeral."

"Great, go take care of your precious dad and Helen when they kick the bucket," I said, not even bothering to look back. I headed upstairs to deal with my wound.

By the time I changed and came back down, the lawyer had already prepared the divorce papers and the ones to cut all ties between us as parent and child. Ryan really was just like his old man, cold and selfish to the bone.

I sat down and skimmed through the papers, snarking, "Looks like you guys thought of everything."

"Obviously. Who knows if you'll try to weasel out of it when you're old?" Ryan said, with that know-it-all look on his face.

I ignored him and glanced at Hadley, who was smiling so wide her eyes nearly disappeared. "Hailey, women need to learn to let things go. If you're always jealous and petty, you'll get tossed out sooner or later."

I shot her a fake smile. "You're absolutely right, Hadley. Let's hope you're just as generous with Helen."