Chapter 2

Ethan used all his connections to finalize the divorce papers the day after we signed.

Then, he couldn't wait to register his marriage with Heather.

While packing my things, my phone buzzed with a notification from his Instagram.

The post was a picture of him and Heather holding their marriage certificate.

In our ten years of marriage, he had never once made our relationship public. To the outside world, I was just his business partner.

Looking at it now, it was all just to keep the position of Mrs. Vance open for Heather.

I turned off my phone and continued packing.

Actually, I didn't have much stuff. Most of it was bought after our marriage.

However, I organized all the business files and contracts in the study, planning to hand them over to Ethan's assistant.

Over the years, I had grown used to playing the perfect wife by Ethan's side.

When he needed a business partner, I stayed up all night researching the market to secure projects for him.

When he wanted a gentle, domestic woman, I suppressed my sharp edges, learning to cook and make soup.

Now that I think about it, during those ten years, I lived like an exquisite puppet.

And he never cared about the soul behind the puppet.

"Ms. Miller, Mr. Vance sent me to collect the files."

Assistant Marcus stood at the door, his tone polite but distant.

Behind him were several movers, who began taking inventory of the items in the house.

"These are the files Mr. Vance wanted. They're all organized."

I handed him several sealed document boxes.

Marcus took the boxes, hesitated, and then spoke:

"Ms. Miller, Mr. Vance said he is reclaiming this estate as well. Please move out by the end of today."

I raised an eyebrow.

This house was bought in our third year of marriage. Back then, Ethan said this would be our home.

The deed was in my name.

"Marcus, please tell him," I said calmly,

"I will move out, but according to the divorce agreement, this house belongs to me."

Marcus froze, obviously not expecting me to push back.

"But Mr. Vance said..."

"If Mr. Vance has any objections, he can have his lawyer contact me."

I turned back to pack my things, ignoring him.

My phone vibrated. It was Ethan.

I declined the call and immediately blocked his number on Snapchat, FaceTime, and everywhere else.

Since I said he was forbidden from appearing in my world, he should disappear completely.

Including his voice, his messages, and everything about him.

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

I thought it was the movers, but when I opened the door, Ethan was standing there with Heather.

His face was dark, eyes burning with suppressed anger.

"Nicole, what kind of game are you playing?"

"Do you think blocking my number will get my attention?"

I stood inside the doorway, looking at him calmly.

"Mr. Vance, the agreement made it very clear. You are forbidden from appearing in my world."

"Now, please leave."

Ethan laughed as if he’d heard a joke.

He took a step forward, trying to push the door open.

"I changed my mind. I'm keeping this house for Heather. She likes the garden here."

I held the door firmly, looking at him coldly.

"Ethan, you seem to have forgotten that the deed to this house has my name on it."

Ethan froze on the spot, seemingly caught off guard by my firmness.

In his memory, I was always the gentle, submissive wife who never went against him.

"Nicole, since when did you become so unreasonable?" he asked, frowning.

"Probably because I've finally woken up."

I looked into his eyes and said:

"Ethan, I don't love you anymore."