Chapter 6

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Someone tried to clear the air. "Hey, it’s just a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding."

"What misunderstanding? If Logan hadn't told me you were here 'selecting a harem,' I’d still be in the dark!"

"Ethan, we were married for six years! Did I ever treat you badly? How could you do this to me?!"

Chloe screamed at the top of her lungs, completely ignoring the crowd. Eventually, my friend ushered everyone out, leaving only the four of us in the massive room.

"Chloe, shouldn't Ethan be the one asking you that question?"

My friend snapped, unable to hold back. "How did he treat you all these years? You know better than anyone! He would never cheat on you. But you? Ever since Logan came back from abroad, have you given Ethan a single shred of your attention?"

"And now, for a little bit of buyout money, you want to have a baby with Logan and divorce Ethan? Let's not forget how Ethan paid off your father's massive debts. Do you really think he cares about some cheap apartment?"

Faced with a barrage of questions, Chloe's face turned pale. She glared at me. "Ethan, is this what you think of me?"

"Was my father's debt paid off solely by you? Did I have no hand in building the company? I discussed the apartment situation with you beforehand, and now you're throwing all the blame on me?"

"I told you, the divorce is temporary! We will remarry! I just need a month!"

"My relationship with Logan is strictly business. But what about you? What are you doing behind my back? Hiring escorts?!"

"Chloe, watch your mouth!" my friend barked. "Who said Ethan is hiring escorts? You guys are divorced! You're already on husband number two, and you won't even let Ethan move on?!"

"This is between me and my husband! Since when do you get a say?!"

Chloe's face flushed with anger, tears welling in her eyes. It seemed like she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Seeing her emotional state, Logan stepped forward, tugging her sleeve to comfort her, but Chloe violently shook him off.

She turned and glared at him with cold fury.

This was probably the first time she had ever looked at Logan like that since his return.

"You get out too! I need to talk to him alone."

"Chloe..." Logan whimpered, trying to look pathetic.

"Get out!"

Sensing her genuine rage, Logan reluctantly slunk out of the room.

"Ethan, you know my personality. I don't like to repeat myself. Do you have to make me angry?"

"We could have handled this maturely."

"If you didn't want to do this, you could have told me from the start. Why did you agree to it only to pull a stunt like this now?"

I just looked at her, my voice devoid of emotion. "If I had said no, would you have listened?"

Chloe got one thing right: I knew her personality perfectly. That was why I knew I never had a choice in our divorce.

If I had refused.

She would have made my life a living hell, using emotional abuse and the silent treatment to force my hand.

Instead of dragging it out, it was better to cut the cord.

"What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying I forced you?"

"And now you're here with these girls just to get back at me? Ethan, when did you become so childish?"

"Can you stop using these pathetic stunts just to get my attention? I am so exhausted."

"Fine, I admit I haven't paid enough attention to you lately. I'll make an effort to change, okay?"

"No need," I said flatly. "Since we're divorced, let's not talk about remarrying ever again."

"Ethan? What did you say?" Chloe’s eyes widened in disbelief. "I suggest you think carefully before you speak. If you walk out that door today, I don't care if you beg me on your knees later, I will never take you back!"

I turned around and walked out without a single backward glance, ignoring her frantic screams behind me.

I checked the time, caught a cab to my condo to grab my bags, and headed straight for the airport.

As soon as I got into the cab, my friend called.

"Ethan, where did you go? Chloe has completely lost her mind. She’s smashing everything in the VIP room."

"I'm on my way to the airport."

My friend went quiet for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Finally, he just muttered, "Safe travels, man."

"Thanks," I replied. Suddenly, a massive semi-truck appeared ahead, its high beams blindingly bright. I yelled at the driver to steer away as I slammed the phone down.

In the next second, the truck crashed directly into our side.

*BOOM!*

I felt my body shatter into pieces.

The distant wail of sirens and chaotic voices faded in and out of my consciousness.

"Hello? Is this the family of Ethan Vance? He's been in a horrific car accident and is currently in critical condition. Please come to Mercy Hospital immediately."

Through the haze of my fading consciousness, I heard Chloe’s cold sneer through the phone line.

"What is his game? He just broke up with me, and now he's staging a car accident to trick me into coming back?"

"Who does he think I am? Tell him that unless he gets his ass over here right now and kneels down to beg for my forgiveness, I will never forgive him!"

With that, Chloe hung up the phone in a rage.

I let out a bitter, silent laugh. Our six-year marriage had finally reached its absolute end.

I just never expected the final curtain to be drawn with my life on the line...