Chapter 2

The Divorce Papers. 

Catherine sat with a vacant look at a deserted bus stop. It was 11 p.m., and there weren't many people on the streets—just a faint breeze and flashes of lightning indicating that rain would soon follow.

The white folder Keenan had given her was still in her hand. Catherine didn't know whether she should go home tonight or not.

What she experienced from her husband's behavior was truly heartbreaking. She felt she had no more chances, and even Biana, who had been like a mother to her, had joined in mocking her.

"You're still here." A woman suddenly stood before Catherine, crossing her arms over her chest.

Arsila, the woman who had enjoyed the warmth of the bed with Keenan just a few hours ago, stood confidently, with a malicious smile, watching Catherine's misfortune.

"Admit your defeat and end this cheap drama you've created. You should bow your head before me, so Keenan doesn't have to divorce you," said Arsila.

Catherine gave a faint smile, her body drained of energy, but she didn't want to look weak. "Do you feel like you've won now? Don't you think your approach is rather cheap?"

"Cheap? Haven't you heard? Keenan himself said he needs me. I'm the only one who can steer his company in a better direction." Arsila lifted Catherine's chin.

"Be kind to me, if you don't want to end up poor. Make peace and accept me as Keenan's next wife, and live harmoniously with me, then you'll be fine."

"Never!" Catherine stood up. "Undo whatever you've planned with my husband. I'm much more capable of helping him than you are!"

Arsila laughed and gently pulled Catherine's hand. "Let's go home; I don't want my future husband to worry about his pathetic wife."

"LET GO!" Catherine jerked her hand away, but Arsila deliberately let herself fall.

"ARSILA!" Keenan unexpectedly appeared, running toward her and helping her to her feet.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, CATHERINE!" Keenan shouted angrily.

Catherine took a deep breath, raising the white folder in her hand, then took a pen from Keenan's shirt pocket. She signed the divorce papers in one breath and handed the folder back to Keenan.

"I accept this divorce. I would never want to stay with a despicable husband like you!" Catherine spat.

"You—"

"Don't ever look for me or my child." Catherine said as she held her still-flat belly.

Keenan was shocked, as was Arsila, hearing what Catherine had just said.

"Don't ever look for us, because my child and I will never need a father like you." Catherine turned around and walked away, suppressing the pain in her stomach that hadn't subsided.

Tears that had been held back finally fell, soaking her cheeks and the raindrops that added to the night's melancholy. No matter how strong Catherine Chandra was, her soul was shaken; seeing the person she loved destroyed her trust and devotion.

The car's headlights lit up behind Catherine, causing her to turn and squint to see whose car it was.

CRASH!

Before she could react, the speeding car struck Catherine hard.

***

The door to the psychiatrist's office. Catherine gazed at the dark brown door with a faint smile of relief.

"How's it going? Are you able to reduce the medication?" Dhira—a friend and personal secretary to Catherine—asked as she handed her a cup of lemon juice.

Catherine shook her head. "Dr. Howard said I could cut back on the consultation schedule, but I still have to take the medication, just not as often."

Dhira nudged Catherine's arm. "Congrats! I'm happy for you."

"Oh, I forgot to ask you something." The two friends left the psychiatric ward, heading to the hospital garden to sit and relax.

"Liam called me yesterday. I didn't expect he'd always find a way to reach me," said Catherine.

"That's true. He called you again an hour ago," replied Dhira.

"Really?"

"Yes, he wants to meet you, but I told him he could come to your house this afternoon. I think it's time you start meeting other people again."

Catherine took a deep breath and nodded slowly. Dhira was right; she should be able to accept the situation more easily than she had a year ago.

"You told me you'd get back at Keenan and Arsila. I'm not sure you can get your revenge if you just stay silent like this," said Dhira.

"You're right." Catherine still remembered everything. "That black car was Arsila's. I know because I saw it displayed on social media."

"Criminal acts like that should be stopped. If you don't have evidence, at least you have two hands to make their lives miserable," Dhira said encouragingly.

Catherine stared straight ahead, watching a group of children chasing butterflies near a patch of orchid flowers.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. The accident she suffered a year ago not only caused her to need a liver transplant but also led to the loss of the unborn child, who had given her the resolve to divorce Keenan that night.

"I have to make them pay. At least not just for me, but for my child's death," Catherine said softly.

Dhira smiled, giving her friend a proud pat on the shoulder. "Liam will be visiting you this afternoon. I hope you'll get plenty of ideas after meeting him."

***

Catherine shook hands with Liam while Dhira clapped in congratulations. Today, Catherine officially rejoined Liam's modeling agency.

"I'm glad you're stepping out of your comfort zone," Liam said. "Ah, there's a lot I'd like to ask you, but I feel like it's a waste of time."

Liam handed a tablet to Catherine, showing her the first project that would be her assignment.

"Skincare?" Catherine pondered.

Liam nodded. "This will be your first project in Paris; there's a big charity event, and I think you're the perfect fit for it."

Catherine examined the text on the event details. Her heart began to beat slowly, feeling uneasy about the brand.

"Gistara, Inc?" Catherine muttered.

"What's up?" Dhira asked.

Catherine shook her head, and a minute later, her smile broadened. "I'll take the offer."

"GREAT!" Liam cheered. "I'll contact Svarga now."

"SVARGA?!" Catherine exclaimed spontaneously upon hearing the name, turning sharply to Dhira, her secretary. "Dhira, you didn't tell me that—"

"I told her to keep it quiet," Liam interrupted. "I knew you'd probably avoid Svarga, but he's the one who asked me to meet you as soon as possible."

Catherine frowned. "But why? I haven't spoken to Svarga in ages."

Liam shrugged. "I don't get it either. Out of all the models in our agency, he specifically asked for you to represent the brand in Paris."

Catherine was puzzled, her gaze directed at Dhira, who was silent. Dhira also didn't understand, as she had only been instructed to keep it a secret that Liam was still good friends with Svarga.

Dhira had no clue that he was determined to meet Catherine this soon. "Don't ask me about it, Cath. I know nothing," Dhira whispered.

Catherine just sighed, her eyes refocusing on the event details on the tablet. Her lips curved into a thin smile, and the initial apprehension in her heart was replaced with a flood of ideas swirling in her mind.

"Gistara...." Catherine repeated the name silently. "Arsila Gistara, is this the beginning of your downfall?"