Chapter 2

Over the years, I'd made quite a name for myself overseas, my income even surpassing what I used to earn back home. But to keep up my act as the perfect wife, I never breathed a word of it to Joseph.

He thought I was just another rich housewife, busy with chores and charity galas—little did he know, he'd gifted my designs to his business partners more than once.

While I was recovering, I kept taking on design jobs. In mid-January 2023, I got the divorce papers from Joseph's assistant. Just like he'd said, he'd already married Abbie.

I noticed the date on the divorce papers—they'd gotten married just three days after I left. That kind of urgency only made me more convinced there was some secret deal or hidden agenda between them.

But by then, I'd already decided to cut ties with my past for good. This was the final nail in the coffin.

By the end of January, I made up my mind to move to a sunny seaside city down south and start fresh. I snagged an apartment practically on the shore, and let my design studio take over the whole living room.

With the ocean as my backyard, every morning felt like a new beginning—I could finally breathe.

For the first time, I truly understood what freedom feels like.

In early February 2023, Joseph sat in his office, his expression clouding over as his assistant handed him a report.

"What do you mean? Victoria just picked up the divorce papers and vanished?" Joseph demanded, glaring at the report as if he could drill a hole through the words.

The assistant kept his head bowed, not daring to meet Joseph's eyes. "Yes, Mr. Aguirre. The postal staff said she had a friend sign for her—she never showed up herself. We checked the security footage; the woman who signed was a stranger. I think she was just hired help."

Joseph's face grew even darker. He'd been sure Victoria would reach out as soon as she got the divorce papers—at the very least, she'd call him up to confront him, or insist on a sit-down to hash out the property.

But now, she'd completely disappeared, like she'd just evaporated from his world. Not a single word—nothing.

"Keep looking," he ordered, his tone ice-cold and terse.

"Mr. Aguirre, we've checked all her old contacts—nothing. She hasn't reached out to anyone she knows, and her bank accounts haven't moved at all," the assistant replied.

'This is seriously weird,' Joseph thought. 'Victoria never had a job or any income of her own, and with me always keeping tabs on her, she barely had any close friends. So where the hell could she have gone? How was she even managing to get by?'

Just as Joseph was lost in thought, Abbie strode in with a lunchbox. "Joseph, here's your lunch," she said.

Her baby bump was already visible, even though she was only about four months pregnant. With an air of nonchalance, she asked, "Any news about Victoria?"

Joseph stashed the report away and shook his head. "Not yet."

Abbie smiled, placing the lunchbox onto his desk. "Don't worry. She probably just needs some time to cool off. Once my baby's born, you and Victoria can get remarried, and it'll all work out."

'Get remarried?' Joseph shot a look at Abbie, the word echoing in his mind. Funny—he'd never really meant to get back together with Victoria. That line was just bait to make her sign those papers without a fuss.

But now, seeing the anticipation shining in Abbie's eyes, he realized she had absolutely no plans to bow out of this game.

He looked at Abbie's obvious baby bump, remembering that night when she'd tearfully begged him, "Joseph, you're the only one who can help me... This baby can't grow up without a father..."

Joseph let out a quiet sigh. 'This whole mess is getting more complicated by the day,' he thought.

By March 2023, my seaside life was calm and fulfilling. Each morning, I'd wake with sunlight on my face and the ocean singing outside my window, sketching out new designs as the waves rolled in.

Compared to my days trapped in the Aguirre household, this was real freedom—finally, I could breathe.

One day, I got an email from the Aguirre Jewels. They wanted to collaborate with "Jade" on a limited-edition jewelry collection. The email was signed by "Chief Design Director Abbie Robinson."

I almost snorted. Abbie only ever studied fashion, and now she was suddenly the head honcho of jewelry design? Joseph sure knew how to hand out perks—she got the ring and the corner office, all at once.

I was about to turn them down, but then I thought this could be fun. So I shot back an email, saying I'd take the job—but my fee was ten times what I usually charged.

Less than an hour later, Abbie called me herself.

"Ms. Jade, your fee's honestly over the top. We can't swing that," she said.

Lowering my voice to sound older and more professional, I replied, "That's my standard rate, Ms. Robinson. If it's too expensive, you can always check out other designers."

Abbie paused for a moment on the other end. "Truthfully, I really admire your work. We're willing to pay, but if you're open to a long-term deal, maybe we can talk special rates."

"Let's see how this job goes first," I said, keeping my cards close to my chest.

After I hung up, a wicked sense of satisfaction bubbled up inside me. 'Let's see just what kind of price Joseph and Abbie are willing to pay for my designs,' I thought.

To keep my identity hidden, I purposely steered away from my previous design style, opting instead for sharper, bolder lines and daring color choices.

It wasn't exactly my proudest work, but it was more than enough to impress the Aguirre Jewels—the kind of company that only cares about prestige, not real taste.