Chapter 2: Getting a Divorce

Mandy’s POV

“I want a divorce, Grandma. I can’t stand this any longer,” Lucas’s voice echoed through the hallway, each word a dagger to my heart.

From my hiding spot, my breath hitched. This had to be a nightmare.

“You don’t mean that, Lucas. You’re just upset about what happened,” Grandma Claire’s voice carried a soothing yet firm tone.

“No, Grandma,” Lucas shot back, his voice colder than I’d ever heard. “I know exactly what I’m saying. I don’t want to be married to her anymore.”

A sharp pain lanced through my chest. My nails dug into my palm as I struggled to steady my breathing.

This can’t be real.

“Lucas, if this is a joke, stop it now,” Grandma Claire warned.

“I’m not joking, Grandma. I’m done with this whole marriage,” he spat. “We wouldn’t even be in this situation if you hadn’t bribed me with your power and company shares.”

Bribed?

A bitter taste filled my mouth as his words sank in. So that’s what he thought of me? A forced burden tied to his neck with wealth and power?

“Lucas, calm down—”

“Don’t ask me to calm down, Grandma!” His voice cracked with fury. “After everything she’s done to Mary and her unborn child—your great-grandchild—you still defend her?”

I froze.

Mary’s baby is… gone?

A sudden chill spread through my body. Despite our differences, the child was innocent. How could this have happened?

“That child was my brother’s,” Lucas continued, his voice filled with raw pain. “And now he’s gone because of her. She killed the heir to your legacy. Yet you take her side?”

The weight of his accusation slammed into me like a tidal wave. My lips parted, but no words came out.

He… he thinks I did this?

“I know you’re upset, but I need you to calm down,” Grandma Claire said, her voice laced with reason.

“Then agree to my terms,” Lucas demanded. “I want a divorce. I’m done with her.”

A suffocating silence followed. My heart pounded as I waited for Grandma’s response.

Finally, she exhaled. “Fine, Lucas. I’ll grant your request.”

I staggered back, the words knocking the air from my lungs.

No… She wouldn’t…

“Thank you,” Lucas said, relief dripping from his tone.

“But have you thought about how this will affect Mandy?” Grandma Claire continued. “It will be difficult for her to survive in our social circle as a divorced billionaire’s wife.”

Lucas scoffed. “I don’t care, Grandma. She’s your problem now. You take care of it.”

Tears pricked my eyes. My marriage had barely lasted two months, and now it was over—tossed aside like an old newspaper.

What would people say? The humiliation, the whispers, the judgment…

Grandma sighed. “Fine. Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll send her abroad to give her a fresh start. What do you think?”

Silence.

I held my breath, watching Lucas’s face for a reaction.

Finally, he nodded. “Fine, Grandma. Do it your way. As for me, I’m off to get the divorce proceedings started.”

And just like that… it was over.

I slipped back into my room, my legs barely holding me up. Closing the door behind me, I collapsed onto the bed, the dam of emotions bursting open.

Tears streamed down my face as reality crashed over me.

He never loved me.

Those nights we spent together—his passionate kisses, his whispered words, the way he held me like I was the only woman in his world—were they all lies?

Was I just an object for his pleasure?

A sob racked my chest as the bitter truth settled in.

I wiped my tears, my gaze landing on the framed photograph on my dresser.

It was an old picture—Lucas and I as children, nestled in Grandma Claire’s arms while my grandmother, Amanda, smiled down at us.

A small smile flickered across my lips as the memories flooded back.

Grandma Amanda and Grandma Claire had built the largest business empire in the city together. When my parents died, Grandma Amanda took me in, raising me with love until fate cruelly snatched her away in a car accident.

Then Grandma Claire took over, showering me with affection, calling me her “cute pumpkin,” always insisting I was perfect for Lucas.

Her words had planted a seed in my heart, one that grew into an unwavering love for him.

I had been so sure we were meant to be.

But he never saw me the way I saw him.

The sound of a knock pulled me from my thoughts.

I quickly wiped my face as the door creaked open.

“Can I come in, Mandie-pie?” Grandma Claire’s soft voice filled the room.

I nodded. She sat beside me, her eyes scanning my face.

“You’ve been crying,” she said gently.

“No, I haven’t,” I whispered, looking away.

She sighed. “Don’t lie to me. I can see it.”

At her words, the walls I had tried to build came crashing down.

I broke into another fit of tears, and she pulled me into her arms.

For a while, she just held me, letting me cry.

When my sobs quieted, she spoke. “I know this may not be the right time, but Lucas wants a divorce. I tried to talk him out of it.”

“I know,” I murmured. “I heard everything.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry it came to this, but my hands are tied.”

“I understand,” I whispered.

A tense silence filled the air before she spoke again.

“I know it’ll be difficult for you to stay here after the divorce, so… what do you think about going abroad? You’ve always wanted to study overseas. I can arrange it for you.”

I hesitated. It was true—I had always dreamed of studying abroad. But not like this.

Not as an escape from my own shattered life.

Still, what choice did I have?

“I’ll take the offer,” I said softly. “Thank you.”

Another silence.

Then she sighed, a note of disappointment in her voice.

“You know, Mandie-pie… you shouldn’t have hurt Mary at the party. She’s your sister-in-law. She would never have tried to ruin your marriage. You need to learn to control your jealousy.”

I stiffened.

Even now, she still believed I had hurt Mary?

She stood, her expression unreadable. “What’s done is done. Abroad is best for you right now. I’ll bring you back when you’ve learned your lesson.”

With that, she walked out, leaving a hollow ache in my chest.

A sudden wave of nausea hit me.

I staggered toward the bathroom, barely making it before I emptied my stomach into the sink.

My body trembled.

What’s wrong with me?

I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Then, realization struck.

A sinking feeling settled in my gut as I placed a trembling hand over my stomach.

No… It can’t be.

A cold shiver ran down my spine as the truth dawned on me.

If my suspicions were right, then…

I wasn’t just leaving behind a broken marriage.

I was carrying Lucas’s child.