Chapter 2

Edward took the divorce papers from me and glanced briefly at my signature.

He pressed his tongue against his cheek and slapped the papers onto my shoulder. "Ms. Barrett, you shouldn't have studied medicine. You should have gone into finance.”

He leaned in, and his eyes were cold. "You want to divorce me? How much of the Scott family's fortune do you plan on taking with you?”

I was momentarily stunned. I pressed my lips tightly together before I quietly replied, "I never wanted your money.”

Edward's sharp gaze locked onto me, and his lips curled into a twisted smirk. "Amelie, oh, Amelie… You've always been the type to do whatever it takes to get what you want.

"Those petty tricks you use are just to keep yourself tethered to my family and continue riding our coattails. After all, your family is sinking.

"Am I wrong? A woman like you, who's quick to jump ship the moment I face hard times, would never let herself endure a tough life."

His cruel words made me tremble uncontrollably.

With a chilling look in his eyes, Edward turned to leave, but I stepped in front of him and stretched my arms out.

"You love Olivia, don't you? I'll make it easy for you. I'll sign a guarantee. I won't take a single penny from you.”

"Yes, I do love Olivia,” Edward said. As he narrowed his eyes, a cruel smile tugged at his lips. "That's exactly why I'll make sure she marries me with her head held high."

With that, he turned and slammed the door behind him.

I turned and picked up the divorce papers from the floor. I felt nothing but bitterness in my chest.

After a long silence, the phone rang. I picked up and heard my mom, Alexia Garcia, crying on the other end.

My dad, Kenny Barrett, had fallen into a coma from a serious illness and was rushed to the hospital.

I hurried over. It was there that Mom told me the Barrett family was about to go bankrupt, and Dad's condition had worsened because of the stress.

Suddenly, I remembered Edward's words. He'd asked me how much of the Scott family's fortune I planned on taking with me.

He must have known that my family was going bankrupt.

Mom, who was desperate like a drowning person grabbing at a lifeline, squeezed my slim arm tightly. "Amelie, go to Edward and ask him for money. With that money, we can save your dad's company. You're his wife. He won't refuse.”

"He hates me.” I forced a smile, and my face darkened with sorrow. "Why would he give me any money?”

Mom slapped me across the face. "Are you going to watch your dad die? How can you be so useless?”

My lips trembled, and a cold shiver ran through me as I looked at Mom. Some mothers really didn't care about their children. She had never considered my feelings. She only saw me as a source of money.

Back when the Scott family hit hard times, Killian Shaffer somehow found my address and leaked a video of Mom's adultery. He offered me a deal. If I went with him on a trip and stayed on his yacht for three days, he'd keep the video a secret.

He even promised that if I broke up with Edward, he would pay off Edward's debts and help him through this tough period.

At that time, Edward was so overwhelmed and helpless. There was nothing he could do.

I thought that as long as I could help him, it didn't matter if he misunderstood me. So I took the money from Killian and used it to plug the holes in the Scott family's finances.

I also said harsh words and hurt Edward.

I never imagined I'd have any further dealings with him.

That was until Edward's sick father, Sergio Scott, asked to speak with me.

He wanted me to marry Edward. He claimed he understood my reasons and knew how I had helped the Scott family.

Back then, I didn't agree.

But the next day, Mom accepted a large amount of wedding gifts from the Scott family. Sergio had forced Edward into agreeing to marry me.

From that point on, Edward hated me with all his heart.

…

After I left the ward, I took another painkiller. When I turned around, I saw a woman in a hospital gown standing nearby.

Her skin was fair. Her eyes were large and round, and her features were delicate. Her figure was graceful.

It was Olivia Gardner, the woman Edward was in love with, and my best friend once upon a time.

I turned away and was about to leave.

"Amelie,” Olivia called out to me.

Smiling, she walked toward me. Her tone was condescending as she said, "I heard your family's going under. Looks like you're getting what you deserve. By the way, I saw you take some medicine just now. Are you sick? Talk about misfortune.”

I looked at her coldly and said, "Get lost.”

Olivia wasn't offended. She casually replied, "You really are pathetic. Edward doesn't want you, and yet you're still clinging to him.”

Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "You know, Edward's been by my side these days. He's been constantly checking on me and taking care of me.”

"You want to take my place as Mrs. Scott?” I pressed my lips into a thin line. "Let him come talk to me about the divorce.”

Olivia's eyes narrowed. "You don't really think he hasn't divorced you yet because he still loves you, do you?”

She laughed loudly. "How naive. He's just trying to get back at you. When he's done playing with you, you'll be no better than trash.”

Olivia leaned closer and whispered in my ear with contempt. "Oh, he's never touched you, has he?”

My hand trembled. I looked up and coldly stared at Olivia.

"Want to know why?” Olivia's nails dragged slowly down my face. "Because he thinks you're dirty. Killian gave you the money to pay off the Scott family's debts, didn't he?”

"Are you done? If you are, get lost!” I pushed her hand away. But to my surprise, Olivia fell heavily to the ground.