Chapter 2
Just then, my phone rang. It was Brian.
I paused, unsure for a moment, but I answered anyway.
Brian said, "Audrey, why are you throwing a fit again?
"It's Pearl's birthday today. I was just playing along for her sake, so don't take it personally.
"Honestly, I shouldn't even have to explain myself about something so trivial. You're always on my case. We're just spouses. Do you really have to restrict my freedom like this?
"Hey, Audrey, are you even listening?"
He fired off question after question, his tone growing more impatient, like he was venting all his frustration at me, as if I was the one at fault.
I found him so ridiculous.
I scoffed.
I said, "Brian, I really don't care. We're about to go our separate ways anyway, so whoever you hang out with is your problem, not mine.
"I don't want to restrict your freedom. But you're using my money to bankroll your side chick."
Brian probably thought I was just jealous, so he tried to sound gentle.
"Honey, I know I shouldn't have missed your birthday, but you were born with everything, a loving family, a good life. Pearl has nothing. I'm all she's got," he said.
His words stung, making it all feel even more ridiculous. So it turned out that it was my fault that I had money and my parents cared about me.
My fingers trembled as I held the phone, and just hearing Brian's voice made me feel sick.
I always thought my sincerity would win him over, but reality slapped me hard.
"Brian!" I called out angrily.
I bit my lip hard, my voice rough and shaky.
"Let's get divorced. Then you can go play the hero for your precious secretary out in the open," I said.
With that, I hung up and grabbed the cake I'd set aside, lighting the candles.
As the traffic and neon lights outside bore silent witness, I closed my eyes and softly spoke to myself. "Happy birthday, Audrey."
The lawyer didn't waste any time.
The very next day, he had the divorce papers delivered straight to my office.
Brian finally strolled in after spending the whole night out.
He pushed open my office door, walked quickly over to me, and spoke in a low, apologetic voice.
He said, "I'm sorry, honey. I know you're upset, and yesterday was my fault. But Pearl's only friend in this city is me. I can't just leave her alone, can I?
"It was just a birthday. I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said earlier, and let's just keep living like usual."
I looked up at the man I'd lived with for three years, and the red mark on his neck was glaringly obvious.
I forced a bitter smile.
He couldn't even bother to hide those marks before showing up.
This was straight-up provocation and betrayal.
If that was the case, there was no point in letting Brian stay now that he was already tainted.
Without another word, I picked up the divorce papers from the coffee table and dropped them in front of him, barely sparing him a glance.
"Let's get divorced," I said.
Brian shot up from his seat, disbelief written all over his face. When he saw the divorce papers, his brows furrowed tightly.
He said, "Audrey, you're really going through with this?
"Do you have to be so harsh?
"Why should I leave with nothing? We've been married for three years. The marital assets are half mine."
Without a second thought, I grabbed my steaming cup of coffee and threw the scalding liquid right at him.
It hit him square in the face.
His once-handsome face was now covered in coffee, and honestly, I couldn't help but laugh.
Brian was stunned by my sudden move, and when he finally came to his senses, he barked at me.
"Audrey, have you lost your mind?" he shouted.
I shot back, "Yeah, I must be insane. Only a lunatic would stick around someone like you for this long.
"You're nothing but a washed-up loser. I must've been blind all these years to ever fall for you.
"Messing around with your secretary. Who knows, maybe you've already picked up something nasty!"
Last night, after I had someone look into things for me, I uncovered a bunch of secrets Brian had been hiding from everyone.
Every time Brian claimed he was out of town for work, he was actually off vacationing with Pearl.
Whenever he said he was working late or stuck in meetings, he was really shacking up with Pearl at some hotel.
Even those random charges on his card were all cash transfers and gifts he sent to Pearl.
Brian was so convinced I'd never catch on. If I hadn't accidentally seen Pearl's Instagram post or that 40 thousand dollars transfer, I'd still be clueless.
But that wasn't all. The files my secretary brought me also revealed their history together.
It turned out that Pearl was Brian's first love.
If the Gardner family hadn't hit rock bottom three years ago and needed Brian to marry into another family for survival, I never would've ended up with Brian.
I thought it was fate, but it was all just a calculated move from the very beginning.
After we got married, Brian treated me with cold indifference.
I knew that most business marriages were polite but emotionally distant, with no real feelings involved.
But I naively believed we could be different, that someday I might actually touch Brian's heart.
Instead, what I got was blatant betrayal.
Brian just watched me let my dignity slip away for him, becoming more and more pathetic.
To him, everything I did must've seemed like a joke. And in the end, he shamelessly installed his first love right in the company, working side by side with her.
Thinking back to the strange look on Brian's parents' faces when they bumped into Pearl, it hit me that they must've known all along, just playing dumb to cover for their son.
After all, the Gardner family still depended on my family to keep their business afloat.
I found this situation ridiculous.
Three years of everything I put in, and it all turned out to be nothing but a joke.
There was no point sticking around any longer. It was better to cut my losses and walk away now.
"Audrey, what are you talking? Who the hell do you think I'm hooking up with?" Brian snapped, his voice sharp and defensive.
He stormed over and grabbed my hand, his grip so tight it felt desperate.
Pain shot through me, and I frowned.
But seeing Brian's eyes all red and watery, I couldn't help but snort in contempt.