Chapter 3

Edward said this was the best way to put an end to the rumors right away.

I zoned out for ages, only snapping back when I felt a tear hit the floor. And that's when it finally hit me that I was really into him.

But those feelings were buried so deep inside me that I never even let myself think about them.

When a person was in love, they just got carried away with wishful thinking.

I foolishly believed Edward wanted to protect me, that maybe his heart ached for me because of all those rumors, and that he wanted to marry me because he had feelings for me too.

So I said yes.

But the reality was nothing like that.

It wasn't until much later, after I'd weathered endless gossip and slander, that I finally understood: Edward only married me because Lily had tied the knot overseas.

He needed a stand-in, someone to help him force Lily out of his mind.

And he needed an excuse to finally get his family off his back about marriage.

I was quiet, never caused trouble, and maybe I could even make him smile sometimes, playing the fool just to lighten his mood. I was the obvious pick.

After we got married, still in the dark about the real reason, I did everything I could to be the perfect Mrs. Pierce.

I pushed myself to blend into circles I'd never known, picking up things that were completely foreign to me.

Just memorizing the names and preferences of all those ladies in the circle kept me up late into the night.

I turned myself into the ideal Mrs. Pierce: my outfits, my words, my manners, everything was spot-on.

I looked after Edward's daily routines, got to know all his tastes and habits, and even his critical mother couldn't help but praise me.

But except for sleeping in the same bed at night, we didn't act like a real couple at all.

Edward never made an effort to understand me, and he couldn't figure out why I was still so determined to keep acting, even after marrying into his family.

He told me he preferred peace, and even though we were married, he still needed his own space.

So I buried my lively side. Whenever he was busy, I made sure not to bother him. I even kept the TV volume low so I wouldn't disturb him.

But later, I found out he wasn't really the quiet type after all.

After Lily came back with no memory, he was out shopping with her, going ice skating, catching comedy shows, and even partying at bars and clubs.

He was totally fine with all that fun and excitement.

He just didn't like me.

But I didn't care anymore.

I used to text him whenever he was late, just to check in. It became such a habit that even after I stopped loving him, I still sent those messages out of habit.

But since Lily came back, I hadn't sent him a single message.

After saying goodbye to Amy, I drove back alone to the house Edward and I share.

When I walked in, I was surprised to find Edward actually at home.

And he looked genuinely shocked to see me.

"Didn't you have a shoot today? Why are you back so early?" he asked.

"The equipment broke down, so we wrapped up early," I replied without much emotion.

He nodded.

I kept walking further into the house.

"About today..." Edward began, hesitating.

I stopped and turned to look at him.

Edward explained, "The official account made that post because Lily's been in a bad place lately. I was worried she might do something reckless."

I froze for a second, caught off guard.

He stepped closer and put his hands on my shoulders. He said, "Don't read too much into it. Lily has lost all her memories, and I'm the only person she trusts right now.

"If I'm not around, she might do something crazy. I'm just staying with her until she gets better."

This was the first time in a month that he'd explained anything to me about Lily.

Perhaps it was because I stopped reaching out that he finally sensed something was off. Or maybe he'd simply forgotten he was married until now.

But either way, looking at his sincere face, I couldn't help but find it a little ridiculous.

I said, "You don't have to explain. Honestly, I don't care.

"But did you ever worry I might do something stupid?"

He froze.

He then shook his head and said, "Come on, you're always so cheerful. I can't imagine you ever losing it."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Maybe it was because I'd already decided to end this marriage, but suddenly, I just couldn't keep holding it in anymore.

I sneered, "Is being cheerful some kind of original sin? Did you even know I was taking antidepressants after we got married?"

He froze, clearly shocked.

I brushed his hands off me and said, "Edward, I see things for what they are now. You know perfectly well whether you ever cared about me.

"So stop pretending we're still a couple. I'm not going to beg or make a scene. I'll walk away from the family on my own.

"In the past five years, I've never wronged you. You saved my grandpa's life, so consider this my way of paying you back.

"I don't want a single penny from you. You can write up the papers however you like."

With that, I turned and headed back to my room.

But before I could walk away, Edward grabbed my hand.

He demanded, "What are you talking about? What do you mean by walking away and all that?"

I snapped, "Isn't it clear? I don't care if you go be with Lily or whoever else. I'm divorcing you."

Edward rubbed his temples and said, "Can you stop acting like a kid? I know you've been a little emotional lately, but Lily's sick. You've always been the mature one. How come you can't even show a little kindness to someone who's ill?

"Don't you get it? She's a living, breathing human being. Do you really have to argue with me about this, especially now?

"Are you really that cold? Where's your compassion? Your empathy?" Disappointment was written all over his face.

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

Maybe it was his constant mind games over the past five years that made me stupidly believe everything was my fault, that I just wasn't good enough.

But he was the one who never understood.

He was the one who treated our marriage like a joke.

All that anger and bitterness I'd bottled up over the years just exploded inside me.

I yanked my hand free and said, "Edward, I am not joking.

"I'm divorcing you. I'm dead serious."