Chapter 3

In the second year of our marriage, when I found out Fred was cheating, I asked for a divorce.

But he brushed it off, acting like I was the unreasonable one. "Alice, do you have any idea what's at stake if we divorce? Look around at our friends. Every guy cheats, but do their families fall apart? No. Why can't you just accept it?"

He wasn't wrong. In our circle, affairs weren't a big deal.

When I told my parents I wanted a divorce, they were completely against it.

My mom held my hand, trying to talk me out of it. "Why get a divorce? You know how many projects our two families have together, don't you? He's seeing someone, but he knows what he's doing. As long as that woman doesn't threaten your position, why do you care? Just enjoy your life as a rich wife."

I refused to give in, and soon Fred's parents got involved.

They thought I was being childish, yet they still forced Fred to break up with the other woman.

In the end, after hearing everyone nag me over and over, I just got tired and dropped it.

But Fred took that as a green light. After that, he got even bolder about seeing other women, and I simply stopped caring.

I thought that was just how my life would go. But thinking about Leo's hurt expression made me feel like I was doing him wrong.

Maybe I could divorce Fred and actually give Leo a place in my life.

The thought popped into my head out of nowhere and startled me awake.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Alice, come out. We need to talk."

I ignored him, but Fred kept talking through the door. "I know you're doing this to get back at me, and I can live with that. But Alice, can we agree on one thing? Neither of us is allowed to fall in love. Okay?"

So all that love he'd shown Belle—was that fake?

And what about me? All those sweet words from before—how much of it had ever been real? I'd been so stupid to believe him.

Fred kept going. "I won't let Belle threaten your position, but you can't go too far either. What you did today really hurt me.

"Besides, what can that kid give you? He's got nothing. He's probably just after your money. If you actually trust him, you're a fool."

He was pushing too far. I couldn't stand it anymore and yanked the door open. "Then how do you know Belle isn't after your money?" I shot back, my tone sharp.

"Belle is different," Fred said. "She's understanding. She never asks me for anything."

Of course, she didn't have to ask. Fred gave her everything before she even thought of opening her mouth.

He used to be like that with me, too—and back then, I'd thought it was love. But to him, it was just a reward for being the kind of woman who never complained.

I let out a bitter laugh. I lifted my hand, showing him the ring on my finger. "He's never asked me for money either. He worked a second job for two months to buy this."

The diamond was small, its clarity unremarkable, and the setting plain. Fred would've never looked twice at something like this. The engagement ring he gave me had been custom-made, huge, and flawless.

"A cheap thing like that moves you, huh? Alice, are you stupid?" His voice was sharp with anger.

I was done arguing. He'd never understand what that ring meant, or what it meant for me to accept it.

I rubbed my forehead, drained.

When Leo had given me the ring earlier that day, I'd panicked. I couldn't give him an answer.

He must've seen how hard it was for me, because his eyes had gone red, but he'd still tried to smile.

"It's okay," he said. "I'm not asking you to divorce him right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel. I'd be fine just being with you like this forever, as long as you don't push me away."

I'd felt a wave of relief back then. But now, I asked myself—was I really going to stay trapped like this forever? Was I going to let Leo keep waiting, with no real place in my life?

I didn't want that. I couldn't do that to him.

I touched the ring on my finger and said quietly, "Fred, let's get a divorce."