Chapter 3

I was already waiting outside the courthouse early the next morning.

Jackson was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Winnie had arrived early, with Andrew tagging along beside her.

Winnie put on her classic, fragile look. "Lydia, if you and Jackson are splitting up because of me, you're wrong. I'm sorry, and I never mean that.

"Even though Jackson and Andrew both like me, I never wanted to ruin your marriage."

She looked all apologetic, but I could see the smugness in her eyes.

I smiled at her, copying her tone. "Even though you've been sleeping with my husband, it's fine. We're getting divorced today anyway."

Winnie's eyes were brimming with tears as she got all defensive. "Lydia, I'm Andrew's teacher. How could you insult me like that?"

I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for her performance.

Jackson finally showed up, his voice cold. "Seriously, Lydia? Do you have to tear Winnie down to feel good about yourself?"

I turned to him and said flatly, "I don't have time to mess with her. Let's just get this divorce over with. I've got a flight to catch."

Jackson didn't say a word. He just grabbed the paperwork and headed straight for the courthouse.

As soon as we stepped inside, he grabbed my wrist. "Lydia, enough with the drama. This is your last chance to change your mind."

I sneered. "Andrew likes Winnie, and you think she takes good care of you.

"Once we're divorced, you can marry Winnie and have a happy family with the two of them. Wouldn't that be great?"

Jackson shot me a cold glare, then let out a mocking laugh.

He said, "Lydia, what's the point of playing these mind games? Do you really think this lame move is gonna make me pay more attention to you?"

He really felt too good about himself.

Here we were, standing in the courthouse, and he still thought I was just playing a game.

Winnie started sobbing, her tears streaming down. "Lydia, stop. Jackson is the CEO of a public company; he can't spend every day wrapped up in petty family drama."

Andrew rushed to wipe Winnie's tears, glaring at me with real hostility. "Mom, you're always stirring things up. It's so annoying. I hate you."

Jackson gave a cold huff and walked right up to the lawyer.

We sat across from the lawyer, going over the final details of the divorce papers. He tried to talk us into giving it another thought, but when it was clear we'd made up our minds, he moved on to the property division.

The agreement clearly stated that I would walk away with nothing and that custody of the child would not be mine.

Jackson crossed his arms with a sneer on his face. "No money, and Andrew stays with me. Lydia, what exactly are you trying to accomplish with all this fuss?

"I told you that you still had a chance before we made it official. If you drop the divorce now and apologize, maybe I could—"

Before he could finish, I grabbed the pen and signed my name without hesitation.

Jackson's face was stormy as he scanned the divorce agreement, then slammed it down on the desk.

"Lydia, you really can't wait to get rid of me, huh?" he said.

I stared right back at him, my silence telling him I was dead serious.

He picked up the pen, hovering over the page, but just couldn't bring himself to sign.

Just as he pressed the pen down, not yet writing his name, a scream rang from outside.

He flung the pen down and spun around, heading out to check what was going on without a moment's hesitation.

I ran after him.

Winnie was clutching her head, trembling all over. "Lydia, I know you hate me, but you didn't have to have someone attack me."

Andrew was panicking by her side, and Jackson rushed over, lifting Winnie up protectively.

His gaze landed on me, and for a moment, it was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Jackson said, "Lydia, you're way too jealous. Winnie hasn't done anything wrong. Why are you treating her like this?

"Go home and reflect on yourself. As for our divorce, let's pretend it never came up."

He walked off, holding Winnie without even looking back.

I watched him fall for Winnie's lies and ditch me again, but honestly, I felt nothing at all.

Once I left the courthouse, I picked up my phone and filed for divorce online.

Then I sent Jackson a screenshot.

Me: [There's more than one way to get a divorce. Hope you three have a wonderful life together.]