Chapter 2

Richard had been ghosting me for a while.

Instead of blowing up his phone, I decided to focus on my own project.

Barely had I arrived when the manager blocked my way at the entrance.

"Sorry, Ms. Quinn... Mr. Bennett already handed the Celestial Dome over to Ms. Carter," the manager said, looking uncomfortable.

I frowned. "Are you sure?"

The manager gave me a sheepish smile. "It's true. The transfer contract is signed—Ms. Carter owns the dome now. And, uh, Ms. Carter said..."

He glanced away, voice dropping to a whisper. "Ms. Carter said... you're not allowed inside, Ms. Quinn..."

My fists trembled in anger.

The Celestial Dome was my creation—I designed it myself, oversaw every single piece, and guided every step of the process.

Once finished, the dome would recreate the real Milky Way in stunning detail.

For 365 days and nights, I worked tirelessly on it, all so it could be my birthday present.

Richard had even come with me to the building materials market to pick out the panels—he wasn't clueless about all this.

Yet, right before my birthday, he still gave away the result of all my hard work.

This was him rubbing it in my face.

Suddenly, I heard Lucy's weird accent behind me. "Ms. Quinn? Here for Mr. Bennett, aren't you?"

She ran her fingers through her curls and shoved her phone in my face.

"Mr. Bennett's super busy these days. Just add my number—if you need anything, hit me up."

She tilted her chin, giving me that smug look like she owned the whole place.

I gave a mocking laugh. "Just hit you up?" I shot back, voice full of disdain.

Lucy acted like it was totally normal. I couldn't help but scoff.

So now I need another woman's permission just to reach my own husband?

If I really added her, I'd be the outsider here.

So I grabbed her phone and smashed it to the ground.

Shards flew everywhere as Lucy let out a piercing scream. "Ms. Quinn, how could you do this?"

I shot a cold glare at my crew and jerked my chin at the dome. "You guys, wreck it!" I commanded.

My guys surged forward, snatching up shovels and metal rods left from the build, and started laying into the Celestial Dome—my own creation—without mercy.

Shards of tile and glass exploded everywhere, some even striking Lucy.

Lucy screamed, dodging frantically and trying to grab onto every one of my crew as they rushed past.

"You can't do this! Mr. Bennett gave this to me! If you mess with it, he'll make you pay!" she wailed.

One of my guys sneered and just shoved her out of the way. "Mr. Bennett? We only answer to Ms. Quinn!"

"You..." Lucy shouted, her eyes brimming with tears.

She then marched right up to me. "Make them stop! Didn't you design this yourself? Are you really just going to stand there and watch everything you built get trashed?"

"Oh, so you do know I designed this?" I replied, a cold, mocking smile on my face.

Lucy hesitated, her breath catching. "I... I only accepted Mr. Bennett's gift because I admire your design. Otherwise, why would I want a place that's only for looks?

"Stop them! They're going to wreck the whole dome!"

I yanked her collar, making her look me in the eyes. "Lucy, I'd rather smash it to pieces than let anyone else touch it.

"You really think I'd let a homewrecker like you parade around in something I design? Not a chance."

With that, I slammed her down to the ground.

Her knees were bleeding, tears spilling down her cheeks.

I shot a cold look at the ruins, kicked a piece of debris at her, then strode off with my crew without looking back.

But as soon as I got home, I saw that Richard, who'd blocked me from his posts, had suddenly unblocked me and made everything visible again.