Chapter 1

The first morning of the New Year.

Fighting the exhaustion of a high fever, I handed Ethan the divorce papers.

He frowned, displeased, and asked, "Is this because of last night's punishment?"

"Victoria, if you didn't overstep your boundaries, I wouldn't have punished you. You should learn to reflect on yourself," he said.

I suppressed the urge to defend myself. My voice was hoarse, but steady. "Just sign it."

"What about our son?"

"He was never my biological child. Of course, I won't fight for custody." I paused, then added, "And don't worry, I won't ask for any share of your assets. Consider that my contribution to his upbringing."

Ethan glanced up, slightly surprised. It was no wonder—after all, I'd always valued that child above everything else.

With a cold expression, he warned, "I advise you to stop this nonsense. If you keep pushing, there'll be no turning back."

He thought I was throwing a tantrum.

But what he didn't realize was that from the moment I decided on divorce, I had no intention of looking back.

Without further explanation, I took the signed papers and returned to my room.

As I packed my things, he stood at the door and said, "The formalities will take some time. There's no need to rush out right now."

I replied calmly, using the words he had once thrown at me, "No, it's better to cut cleanly and move on."

He said nothing more.

There was a lot to pack, but I only took what was necessary.

When I dragged my suitcase into the living room, Jack Maine was sitting on the couch reading a science journal.

At such a young age, he was already extremely disciplined, just like his father. And, like his father, he treated me with cold indifference.

Setting the book aside, he walked over, his expression impatient. "Are you really divorcing Dad?"

I nodded.

Though his face remained emotionless, I caught a flicker of delight in his eyes.

He spoke next in a tone of condescension, as though granting me a favor. "You're allowed to visit me in the future, but only once a month. Any more, and I'm afraid Casey will be upset."

Casey—Casey Rory—was Ethan's first love.

If it hadn't been for the Rory family's sudden downfall and their move overseas, Ethan would never have married my best friend.

Now that Casey was back in the country, the two had reconnected.

Lately, he often took Jack to see her.

Casey was a race car driver, and Jack thought she was cool and impressive.

What he didn't know was that I had once been the multi-year champion of the SCCA and IMSA racing championships.

He hated me so much that he never gave me a chance to play with him.

In the past, his admiration for Casey and disdain for me would've hurt. But now, my heart was calm, like a still lake.

Last night's events had opened my eyes completely.

You can't tame a wolf who's determined to bite.

Without sparing him a glance, I opened the door and left.

As I neared the gate, Ethan appeared.

"What's the rush? You haven't even found a place to stay, have you?"

I didn't respond as I stepped outside.

"Where are you planning to go? Let me call the driver for you," he offered.

"No need."

The rainstorm from last night had soaked me through, and my body was burning with fever. My head throbbed with pain, and every step felt heavier than the last.

Using what little strength I had left, I pushed myself through the gate.

But I didn't get far before my vision went black, and I collapsed.