Chapter 2

Nathan was three now. He barely paid attention to Frank, didn't want to play with me either, and clung to Victor all day long.

Remembering this, I turned to Victor and promised, "Victor, trust me. Whatever Frank did to you, I'll make him pay back tenfold."

Victor rubbed his nose, feeling a bit guilty.

Just as he was about to say something, there was a knock at the door.

My assistant, Lucas Smith, walked in.

"Ms. Nash, Mr. Goodman wants Victor to go downstairs and apologize to Ms. Quinn," Lucas said.

Victor immediately blew up. He snapped, "Apologize? To a homewrecker? Is Frank out of his mind?"

I gave a little cough.

Victor quickly corrected himself, "I mean, former brother-in-law. Actually, scratch that: he's just my ex-whatever now. Total stranger."

Lucas explained calmly, "After Victor left the ward downstairs this morning, Ms. Quinn ended up in the ER."

I remembered what Victor said about getting someone to toss a snake onto Julia's bed. That was just a headache waiting to happen.

I had no idea if Frank had checked the security footage and kept any proof.

Victor just flopped back onto the bed, acting like he didn't care at all. He said, "Whatever, if he wants, he can break my other leg, too.

"I'll be back on my feet in three months anyway."

I didn't let Victor go downstairs. Instead, I went myself.

The VIP suite on the top floor of the hospital was originally set aside for Julia.

Back then, Frank refused to divorce me. I was hoping Julia and his relationship would heat up so I could finally cut ties with him. So I just turned a blind eye.

But not long after, Frank had someone hurt Victor, and I forced the hospital to clear out the VIP suite for him.

Frank probably felt guilty about what happened to Victor, so he didn't say a word. He just had the hospital clear out the floor below and moved Julia in there instead.

But that was the past. Now the hospital was mine, courtesy of the divorce. Outsiders had no business on my property, especially if they came to make trouble.

When I reached the hospital room door, the bodyguard blocked my way with his arm.

But I could still hear Frank's voice, low and furious.

He snapped, "How long are you going to keep this up?

"My patience is running out. You'd better..."

His words were cut off by the bodyguard knocking on the door.

I let out a loud "tsk," not feeling sorry for them at all, more like amused by their mess.

A divorce this juicy ought to come with fireworks and champagne, yet here were the two homewreckers brawling instead of toasting their luck.

The door swung open. When Frank saw me, a flash of panic showed on his face. But he was quick to recover, back to his usual cool and collected self.

I crossed my arms, tilted my chin up, and said, "Mr. Goodman, is it true you told my brother to come apologize to Ms. Quinn?"

Frank's brow furrowed. He repeated, "Apologize?"

He shot a look over his shoulder and changed the subject.

He said, "The hospital's already under Victor's name. I'll have Julia transferred to The First Hospital as soon as possible."

I felt a genuine sense of regret that Frank was actually being sensible for once.

I'd been hoping for a full-blown fight, maybe even a chance to smack those two homewreckers in the heat of the moment.

But since it was all sorted, I just shrugged. I said, "Just make it quick, Mr. Goodman."

Frank looked utterly exasperated. He demanded, "Kara, I've given you everything you wanted. Can't you at least talk to me calmly?"

I stared at him in disbelief and shot back, "You had someone break my brother's leg, and you have the nerve to ask me to stay calm?

"Did you toss your morals and your shame to the dogs?"

Frank tugged at his tie. Sounding utterly defeated, he said, "Kara, I've told you a hundred times: I didn't have anyone break Victor's leg.

"I know how much he means to you. Why would I ever hurt the only family you have left in this world?

"I just couldn't get away that day, so I asked Zack Flynn to give him a talking-to. I had no idea Zack would actually lay a hand on him..."

I cut him off.

I said, "Frank, let me make this clear.

"For the money, I could even put up with your side chick.

"But you hurt my brother. That was why I set out to divorce you, even if I lost every penny.

"Zack is your best friend. He did it on your behalf. How could I not blame you for it?

"This isn't over. Not by a long shot."

Frank didn't say another word. His eyes were unreadable as he stared at me.

I turned and walked away.