Chapter 2

Honestly, that first year of marriage was hell.

My parents figured I'd be swimming in money after marrying into the Grant family, so they cut off my allowance and kept pushing me to ask Lucas for favors and resources.

But Lucas wouldn't give me a single dollar, so as a broke student, I had to handle everything myself.

Back then, I was a senior in college. I attended classes by day, worked at a coffee shop at night, and stayed up until 2 a.m. in my dorm to finish my graduation project.

Once, I couldn't even pay my tuition. I stood outside the registrar's office for two hours, and in the end, my tutor fronted the money for me.

But Lucas never knew any of this, and honestly, he didn't care to.

To him, I was some shamelessly desperate, gold-digging woman obsessed with status, clinging to any chance to marry into the Grant family.

"167 million dollars?" Lucas scoffed, his laugh dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, you really don't hold back, do you?"

I couldn't help but laugh right back.

I grabbed my phone and quickly looked it up.

"Lucas, You’ve earned three hundred fifty million dollars over the past five years, I said, flashing the screen at him. "Round off the small change. I want 167 million dollars. Not a penny extra, not a penny short."

His expression darkened.

"Nina," he said, stubbing out his cigarette and stepping closer. "Let me make this clear: on paper, to my parents, to yours, you're still Mrs. Grant. I'm letting Lily stay here."

"So she moves in, I move out," I cut him off. "And when she's done staying here, I come back. Is that what you mean?"

Lucas was left momentarily speechless.

From behind him, Lily spoke up right on cue. "It's fine, Mr. Grant, really... Don't make things hard for Nina. I can find somewhere else to stay. I don't mind being inconvenienced for you."

As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.

Lucas immediately looked at her with obvious concern, then turned back to glare at me, like I was some irrational woman causing trouble.

I almost couldn't hold back a laugh.

Honestly, her acting is way better than mine ever was.

"See?" I said, pointing at her and then at him. "She's okay with being wronged, but I'm not. I've got a bad temper, I'm lazy, and I don't like sharing, especially when it comes to personal stuff like my home or my man.

"So let's get divorced. 167 million dollars, stocks, property, whatever. Once it adds up, let me know and I'll sign the papers."

I grabbed my bag from the couch and was about to head out.

The launch is in over an hour. I don't have time for this melodrama.

"Nina," Lucas grabbed my wrist. "Have you had enough?"

I looked down at his hand.

In five years, how many times has he actually held my hand?

Fewer than five times.

And three of those were for appearances at family gatherings.

"Let go," I said.

He didn't let go.

I looked up at him.

I guess he'd never seen that look in my eyes before. So he paused for a second, and his grip loosened.

I pulled my hand back, rubbed my wrist, and said in a flat tone, "Lucas, let me make this clear one more time: 167 million dollars.

"If you agree, I'll sign the papers today. If you don't, I'll take you to court.

"And it won't just be the marital assets on the line. We'll be splitting every unaccounted-for expense you've incurred over the past five years. All the money you spent on other women also counts as marital property."

His face went completely pale.

I turned and started to leave.

Just as I reached the door, I heard him call out behind me, "Nina, are you out of your mind? Do you really want a divorce that badly?"

I stopped and turned to look at him.

He stood in the middle of the living room, same face, same holier-than-thou attitude.

Five years, and he's still exactly the same.

But I'm not that girl anymore, the one who stayed up all night, quietly thrilled because I was marrying him.

"Of course I do," I said. "I've been thinking about it for ages."

I pushed the door open and stepped into the elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, I saw Lucas follow me out, taking a couple steps after me before stopping.

My phone buzzed.

My assistant texted: "Ms. Shaw, everything's set for the launch. The media's already here."

I replied: "Twenty minutes, I'll be there."

As I stepped out of the elevator, the sunlight was blinding.

I slipped on my sunglasses, got into my car, and fired up the engine.

In the rearview mirror, the Grant Family's hillside mansion grew smaller and smaller.

I thought back to the day I first came here, five years ago.

The sunlight was just like this.

I stood in the doorway, heart racing, palms slick with sweat.

Back then I'd thought that marrying him would finally let her draw closer to him.

Even if he didn't care about me, even if he only married me because our families needed the alliance, even if all he ever looked at me with was coldness and contempt.

Seeing him every day would be enough.

I was such an idiot.

I stepped on the gas, driving straight into the sunlight.

My phone buzzed again.

This time, it wasn't my assistant. It was a message from Lucas.

Lucas: [167 million dollars, I agree. When do you want to sign?]

I looked at it for three seconds, then replied: [Tonight.]

After sending the message, I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat.

Perfect.

167 million dollars, it's enough to launch my brand in Bekeland.