Chapter 2

Travis' thoughts sounded. 'Her wrist is so slender. I'm scared I'll hurt her if I grip too hard. But if I let go, I might just lose it and push her onto the desk.

'Travis, you beast! Your wife is about to divorce you, and you're still having pervy thoughts.'

Seeing his ears flushed red, any trace of sadness I felt disappeared.

Guess this divorce was off the table.

I flipped my hand over and grabbed his, my fingertips tracing circles in his palm.

"What if I don't sign?" I asked.

Travis jerked his hand away like he'd been burned.

He stood up, turned his back to me, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Clarissa, stop this. Dawn's back, and I need to make things official with her," he said.

Just hearing Dawn Keyes' name set me off.

Dawn was Travis's childhood sweetheart, and everyone saw her as the ideal Mrs. Winslow. If his grandfather hadn't forced Travis to marry me, I wouldn't have stood a chance of marrying Travis.

Even though Dawn had been living abroad for the past three years, there was always gossip about her.

Travis flew out to see her every single year, and even on our wedding anniversary, he'd rather spend it with her, celebrating her birthday instead.

So he was just clearing the way for Dawn.

Staring at his cold, distant silhouette, I felt my heart sink.

Even if he had feelings for me, if he loved Dawn more, there was no way this marriage could survive.

Just then, Travis's inner voice rang out again. 'Why even mention that fake innocent Dawn? If Mom hadn't threatened to cut off your medication unless I divorced you, I wouldn't have bothered with Dawn at all.

'Babe, don't believe any of the gossip. There's nothing between me and Dawn, I swear. I only went abroad for business, and Mabel forced me to see Dawn. It was just for a moment, that's all.

'Dawn kept acting all dramatic, saying she loved me and couldn't live without me. It was so gross. Wifey, you're way better, all soft and sweet.

'Please don't be mad, babe. I'm only doing this to protect you. Mom's crazy. She'd do anything. If she ever tried to hurt you, I'll break my heart. I had no choice but to send you away for now. Once I have control of the family, I'll bring you back.'

I stood there, totally stunned. My brain was about to short-circuit from all this new info.

Wait, so the only reason Travis wanted a divorce was because Travis' mom, Mabel threatened him? And she used my meds to do it?

I'd been frail since I was a kid, and I needed some pricey imported meds every day. The Winslows had the exclusive access to it.

I never imagined Mabel would actually use my medication to strong-arm Travis into a divorce.

Moreover, Travis actually called Dawn a "fake innocent" in his head.

Now that I knew the truth, there was no way in hell I was leaving.

If I walked away now, I'd be giving Mabel and Dawn exactly what they wanted.

I sat back down, grabbed the divorce papers, and, right in front of Travis, slowly tore them to bits.

The sharp rip of paper filled the study.

Travis spun around, fixing his gaze on me. "Clarissa, have you lost your mind?"

'Damn, babe. That was badass,' Travis cheered silently. 'But what about Mom? If she cuts off your meds, your body won't be able to take it.

'No, I need to act even more ruthless and drive you out. Once you're away from the Winslow family, I can arrange for your meds to be sent to you in secret.'

He drew in a deep breath, his face clouding over. He strode up to me, looming above with an icy, intimidating glare.

"Clarissa, I was going to let you keep your dignity. But since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for being heartless," Travis said coldly.

He pulled out another file from the drawer and tossed it in front of me.

"This is leverage on Paul. If you don't sign, I'll ruin him," Travis warned.

Paul Rudd was my college senior and he once saved my life.

Travis had always been bothered by Paul, thinking I only married into the Winslows to use their influence for Paul's startup.

I glanced at the file and couldn't help but scoff inside.

Figures. He was trying to strong-arm me again with his cheap threats.

If this was before, I would've been scared stiff, crying and begging him to let Paul off the hook, caving and signing whatever he wanted.

But now, I could hear Travis roaring in his head, 'Babe, come on, yell at me. Hit me. I'm such an asshole.

'What's so special about that pretty boy Paul? Is he really worth you fighting me all this time?

'If you begged me once, even if you were just pretending, I'd let him off the hook. But you never show me a little weakness.

'Babe, don't cry over another guy. It breaks my heart.'

I looked him in the eye, my expression calm.

"Travis, are you really going to do this to me, just for Dawn?" I said quietly.