Chapter 2
Just then, my phone rang.
"Nancy, how did it go? Did you ask Robert for a divorce?" My so-called bestie Queenie White's voice came through the phone, bubbling with excitement.
A wave of hatred flooded my heart.
In my previous life, Queenie had kept messing with my head. She was always saying Robert was still hung up on his old flame, that they were secretly in touch, and insisting he never loved me.
So I divorced Robert, throwing away my marriage for some so-called dignity.
When I didn't say anything, Queenie started piling it on. "Nancy, what's up? Don't tell me you're still hung up on him? He's all over the headlines, and people are calling you the homewrecker who crashed his and his first love's relationship."
I tossed my phone aside, barely listening as Queenie rambled on, and only mumbled a few perfunctory responses once she was done.
Before she could say anything else, I hung up.
I turned around and found myself staring into Robert's deep eyes. I froze for a second. "When did you come in?"
Did he hear all that?
Just as I was debating whether to explain, Robert spoke up first. "I've got something to take care of. I'll be back in a bit."
"Okay."
As soon as Robert left, I didn't hesitate to put all my limited-edition bags and jewelry up for sale online.
Sure, I hadn't divorced Robert yet, but who knew what might happen down the line?
What if one day Robert showed up with his old flame, ready to kick me to the curb and reclaim her spot? I had to be prepared, didn't I?
Since these were all hot-ticket items, they got snapped up fast.
Seeing my account balance shoot up, I felt at ease.
I showered and had a great night's sleep.
The next morning, as soon as I came downstairs, the housekeeper handed me a lunchbox. "Mrs. Garcia, this is the meal you asked me to prepare for Mr. Garcia yesterday."
I froze for a second.
It suddenly hit me that for over a year of my marriage to Robert, I'd been bringing him lunch every single day, even though he always acted cold and indifferent.
I took the lunchbox.
With the way things were shaping up, it wouldn't be long before the real heiress of the Stone family was brought back.
When that happened, I would have to hold onto Robert as my lifeline.
When I showed up at the company entrance with the lunchbox, I could hear people snickering and gossiping behind me.
"Look, it's Mr. Garcia's neglected wife again."
"Seriously, she comes here every single day, but has Mr. Garcia ever spared her a glance? Isn't she ashamed?"
"Honestly, Mr. Garcia never saw Nancy as his wife. He's had so many scandals with Lauren. Nancy used to show up every day, causing drama, but Mr. Garcia never said a word to clear the air about his relationship with Lauren."
I paused for a second, then walked into the elevator like nothing had happened.
As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I ran right into Lauren Smith.
The lunchbox slipped from my hands, and soup spilled onto Lauren.
Lauren shrieked in surprise.
In a flash, Robert rushed over, pushed me aside, and swept Lauren up into his arms. "Are you okay?"
Lauren clung to his neck. "Mr. Garcia, I'm fine."
Robert shot me a reproachful look. "Nancy, will you stop? Yesterday, you were throwing a fit about divorce at home, and now you're here deliberately picking a fight with Lauren?"
That was right. The woman playing the damsel in distress was Lauren, Robert's secretary, and the infamous old flame everyone gossiped about.
Over the past year, Rober and I had fought countless times over Lauren, and had threatened divorce so many times I'd lost count.
In my previous life, not long after our divorce, Robert ended up marrying Lauren.
Their wedding was grand and extravagant.
Lauren stood radiant by his side, dressed in a custom-made gown.
At that time, I'd just been kicked out of the Stone family, left with nowhere to go.
My birth parents tried to force me into a marriage I didn't want, so I went to Robert for help. But he looked at me with that cold, indifferent stare and sent me packing.
He said, "Nancy, must I remind you again? We're divorced. Everything you're going through is the result of your own choices. It has nothing to do with me."
That was right. Every hardship I had faced was because of my own decisions.
So in this lifetime, I would do whatever it took to hold on to the wealth and status that belonged to me.
"Mr. Garcia, please don't blame Ms. Stone. I'm sure she didn't mean it," Lauren said, her voice soft and plaintive.
Robert's expression turned cold. "With a heart as rotten as hers? Like she'd ever do something by accident."