Chapter 2

Zachary blew out a lazy smoke ring. "Shelby's nothing but a substitute for you. No one could ever take your place. When I'm done playing with her, I'll come back to you."

His tone turned warning. "Georgina, don't give her a hard time, and quit stirring up drama."

Georgina let out a cold, mocking laugh, flicking her knife even more aggressively. "What if I say no?"

A thin slit appeared at Shelby's throat, and blood gushed out in an instant.

Her face turned ghostly white as she cried out desperately, "Mr. Kane, please. Save me!"

Zachary fixed his gaze on Georgina, his voice low and serious. "Georgina, think about Lisa.

"Who's been paying her over 300 thousand dollars in medical bills every month?"

Lisa Phelps was Georgina's sister, the only family she had left in this world.

Georgina's eyes widened in disbelief. Zachary was seriously using Lisa to threaten her?

Five years ago, Zachary was seriously injured, and Lisa was the only donor match—she gave up one kidney for him.

Had Zachary already forgotten? He promised, right in front of Lisa, that he'd treat Georgina well for the rest of her life when they got married.

A year ago, Lisa fell gravely ill, and her medical bills amounted to over 300 thousand dollars every month.

Georgina bit her lower lip so hard she nearly drew blood, only letting go when the bitter tang flooded her mouth.

She loosened her grip on Shelby and stumbled backward, barely steady on her feet.

Zachary quickly moved in, catching Shelby right before she collapsed.

Without a second glance, he swept Shelby into his arms and carried her out of the church.

Georgina remained rooted to the spot, watching the two figures vanish. Her eyes turned icy, her gaze hardening with every passing second.

For five years after their wedding, Zachary treated her like gold, so Georgina gradually stepped out of the spotlight and stopped caring about the company's affairs.

Five years was plenty of time for everyone to forget that Georgina was never just some soft, sheltered housewife.

She was the real power who helped build half of Zachary's empire. There was once when her name would make everyone tremble.

Georgina pulled out her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in five long years.

"It's me. I'm back," Georgina said.

Five years ago, when Georgina married Zachary, she brought with her a group of trusted underlings she'd personally trained.

She also brought with her the businesses she'd single-handedly built in Krehull Bay.

Once Zachary took the reins, Georgina stepped out of the spotlight, content to simply be his wife.

There was a long silence, then a wave of barely suppressed joy came through the phone. "Georgina, you're finally back. I've been waiting for this day."

But then the voice on the other end sharpened, instantly realizing something was wrong. "Wait, didn't you marry Mr. Kane and call it quits? Why the sudden comeback? Did Mr. Kane do you dirty or something?"

Georgina didn't answer—she just instructed, "Round up the crew. I've got a big 'gift' to deliver to Zachary."

"Georgina, most of the crew has been stationed overseas expanding our business these past couple years. If I call everyone back, it'll take about a month of preparation. Moreover, we'll need the divorce agreement signed by both sides," said the voice.

That was the rule from day one.

"Alright. I'll have the divorce papers ready. In one month, I'll be waiting," Georgina replied.

A month from now, she wouldn't just be ending her marriage with Zachary. She was going to drop a "present" on him that he'd remember for the rest of his life.

Georgina hung up, spun on her heel, and marched straight into the law office. Without hesitation, she told the lawyer to draft divorce papers.

Then, she sat alone in the living room at home, waiting until two in the morning before Zachary finally returned.

Seeing her pale face, Zachary walked over, gently stroked her hair, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Alright, don't be mad. I'll keep an eye on her from now on—she won't bother you again."

Georgina forced down a wave of nausea and handed the divorce papers over to him. "Sign them."

Zachary was just about to open them when he asked, "What's this?"

Suddenly, his phone started ringing.

Zachary picked up. His assistant sounded frantic, saying, "Mr. Kane, something's happened to Miss Dillon. She's bleeding out. The doctors are trying to save her."

Zachary's face instantly changed. "I'm coming right now."

He hung up, didn't spare Georgina a single glance, and walked right out the door.

Georgina stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "You haven't signed yet."

Zachary was so panicked he didn't even look at the documents—he just flipped to the last page and signed his name.

Georgina held up the divorce papers that now had both their signatures, watching as he rushed away. A satisfied smile appeared on her face.

In a month, once she had the official divorce certificate in hand, she could finally walk away from him for good.

She'd barely slept when Zachary stormed back in and forcibly pulled her right out of bed.

He didn't care how much she protested—he just hauled her into the car and raced through the streets to the hospital.

He said, "Because of you, Shelby had a miscarriage. She's bleeding out; her life is on the line. The priest we brought in said the only way to save Shelby is for the one responsible to show up, confess, and repent."

Georgina stared at him, her eyes reddening. "Zachary, have you totally lost it? Did you already forget about Mikey?"

Zachary and Georgina once had a child together, but Georgina had a miscarriage.

Mikey was a pain that Georgina would never forget.