Chapter 2

He glanced over with a casual frown, unfazed. "Didn't we agree? Once I'm done having fun, I'll come back. Why are you getting all worked up again?"

Many years of his shameless cheating—always claiming "it's just my body, my heart's still with you." I'd had more than enough.

We were officially divorced now, so I was not wasting another breath on him.

"I've been having trouble sleeping lately," I told him. "The doctor suggested we sleep in separate rooms."

Hudson wrapped his arms around me from behind, his words rumbling right against my ear. "So, what, I'm just supposed to sleep alone tonight? Why don't you comfort my—"

But flashes of those explicit chats between him and Vanessa hit me. Sickened, I wriggled free from his hold.

"My body's off limits. Why don't you go run to your little sweetheart instead?" I cut him off.

This was the first time I'd ever shoved him away so directly.

Hudson paused and then snorted with a crooked grin. "Come on, quit pretending you're not jealous. It couldn't be more obvious. Alright, I get it, you're in a mood. Whatever, tomorrow I'll take you out for wedding photos.

Hudson and I had officially been husband and wife for five years, but we'd never bothered with wedding photos or an actual ceremony.

Back then, Hudson was just starting his business and struggling for every dollar.

Later on, he brushed it off, saying, "We're old-married folks, no need for that fancy stuff."

Looking at the smug way he acted, like he was doing me some huge favor, I didn't react with any kind of excitement—just shot him a cold look and shut him down. "No need."

If I hadn't seen those texts between him and Vanessa, maybe I would've actually felt a little moved.

Vanessa: [Hudson, I really want to take the most beautiful wedding photos with you, but I'm about to graduate and there's just no time for all those makeup trials.]

Hudson: [That's nothing to worry about. I'll have someone try out makeup for you, so we can pick out the best photographer.]

Hudson blinked, shock written all over his face. "Seriously, you really don't want them? Hey, once you pass this up, there's no redo. If Olivia brings it up later, don't go saying I was the one who didn't want the photos."

When Grandma was alive, she'd always get a little wistful at other people's wedding celebrations, wishing she could see me in a wedding dress with her own eyes.

"Sweetie, you're so beautiful—put you in a wedding dress and you'll be the prettiest bride for sure. Even after I'm gone, I can tell your parents you are happy," she used to say.

But in the end, she never got the chance to see me as a bride.

"Chloe, you just take advantage of the fact that I care about you, and that's why you always act like you can do whatever you want," Hudson said, clearly annoyed. "All right, tough girl. Never come ask me for anything."

Hudson probably felt he'd already humbled himself plenty, but I just wouldn't give in.

To him, I was always in the wrong—freak out, and I was the villain; stay calm, and I was still the villain.

The next day, I went to work like nothing had happened, but the second I stepped into the office, the admin hit me with a bombshell.

My vice president title was gone, and I'd been demoted to a lowly assistant in the most invisible back-office department.

While I was still reeling, Hudson strode in with Vanessa. She decked out in pastel pink, and he clapped his hands for attention.

"This is our company's new Vice President of Marketing, Vanessa Leslie. I expect everyone to give her your full support," Hudson announced.

Every pair of eyes in the office landed on me.

Hudson and I built this company from scratch. As Vice President of Marketing, I spent years grinding it out at endless networking dinners, biting my tongue, and taking hits just to finally see the company thrive the way it did now.

Hudson knew better than anyone what that position meant to me.

But to vent his anger about me, he actually handed the crucial vice president title to some art major who didn't know the first thing about the job.

Vanessa shot me a cocky, challenging glare, sauntered right over, and couldn't wait to flaunt her new authority. "Ms. Green, go make me a coffee."

Hudson's cold eyes swept past everyone, barely acknowledging me.

He had no clue I was already wrapping things up, getting ready to quit.

I didn't want any extra drama while I was supposed to be keeping a low profile, so I just got up and went to make the coffee.

Vanessa crept up behind me when I wasn't paying attention.

"Old lady, you can't compete with me," she sneered, not even bothering to hide her contempt. "Just hearing my voice gets him burning up for me, but you? He wouldn't even flinch if you stood there naked.

"I can go all night with him in every way you can imagine. You really think you can compete?"

I refused to let a little tart who relied only on her looks rattle me. Calmly, I handed her the coffee and turned to walk away.

Without warning, Vanessa suddenly swung her hand and hurled the entire cup of scorching coffee straight onto me.

My flimsy summer clothes were useless against the hot liquid—I felt my arm and chest light up with agonizing pain, like I was being branded.

My mind went blank. Instinctively, I raised my hand to defend myself.

But Hudson swooped in and clamped down on my wrist, his expression stormy. "Chloe, what do you think you're doing?"

Vanessa's eyes instantly watered, her face twisting into the perfect image of hurt innocence.

"Hudson, please let me go. Ms. Green is upset that I took her spot. She's being so rude, I'm scared," Vanessa whimpered, practically trembling.

Hudson instantly sided with her, his voice cold as steel. "Apologize," he barked.

Even though I'd long stopped caring about him, watching him blindly accuse me without knowing the real story still made me feel bitter and wronged.

"Hudson, she's the one who threw coffee at me. My arm is literally blistering. Why am I the one supposed to apologize?" I snapped back, unable to hold back my anger.

Hudson finally realized how awful I looked, rubbed his nose awkwardly, guilt flickering across his face as he stepped forward.

But Vanessa clung to his sleeve from behind, sobbing breathlessly. "I'm sorry, Hudson. The coffee was way too hot, so I lost my grip. I swear, I didn't do it on purpose," Vanessa whimpered, pretending to be all helpless.