Chapter 2 Want a Divorce? Book It Through My Assistant That cold, distant father and that weak, spineless mother-she had long had enough of that family. She wasn't going back anyway. Jared's face was tight as he followed her upstairs, but he didn't stop her. He simply stood by and watched coldly as Lily packed her things. At four in the morning, the windows outside were pitch-black, the room lit up like daytime. Lily's face was pale as she zipped her suitcase and walked out of the closet. Jared brushed past her. "Lily, I don't have the patience. Don't expect me to come begging you to return." "Tomorrow at nine. See you at the Civil Affairs Bureau," Lily said flatly, but her heart trembled. She could hear the irritation, the anger, even the disdain in his voice. "I'm busy these days. If you really want a divorce, schedule it with my assistant. Don't say I didn't give you any respect. But if you change your mind before it's on the calendar, I'll pretend this never happened." He glanced back at her. Her suitcase was stuffed full. Even the photo on the nightstand and the two little plush toys had been packed away. His mood soured. It felt like a valuable employee handing in their resignation-ungrateful to the core. What did Lily want that he didn't give her? In two years of marriage, he'd never limited her spending and had let her handle everything at home. He had no idea what tantrum she was throwing this time, but he was sure of one thing: Lily would come back. The Ginger family wouldn't let her get a divorce. They'd force her right back into his arms. As for her claim that she'd be just fine on her own? That was laughable. She'd been spoiled her whole life. Could she really handle a nine-to-five job? That's what he thought-until she walked away. And as he stood on the second-floor landing, watching her take the car keys from the entryway hook, he said coldly, "That car-I bought it." It wasn't even an expensive car. Just over two hundred grand. He'd bought it after she learned to drive. She was scared of scratching something pricey, so she deliberately picked something cheaper. He'd paid with his card. But he had no problem gifting Sarah jewelry worth tens of thousands-just not a car for his own wife. Late autumn winds howled outside, yellowed leaves swirling through the air like scattered regrets. Lily's heart went cold. She tightened her grip on the keys, steadied her breath, then tossed them back on the hook and walked out with her suitcase. The moment she stepped outside, the night wind hit her. Her long black hair whipped around her face as her slender figure was slowly swallowed by the darkness. Jared stared at her back until the front door slammed shut with a bang . His eyelids twitched. He turned around and walked back to the bedroom, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows and watching the solitary figure under the streetlight grow smaller and smaller. Their villa was in the suburbs. It took over an hour to get downtown. No car, no buses. She wouldn't make it far. That was his belief-solid, immovable. Until the minutes ticked by and that belief started to crack... then shatter. Lily dragged her suitcase through the cold wind, growing smaller and smaller until she vanished from sight. Jared let out a cold laugh and slapped another label onto her: stupid pride. ... Once she'd made it out of the neighborhood, Lily finally called her best friend, Yulia Sue. By the time Yulia pulled up, Lily had been walking in the cold for over an hour. Her curled lashes were frosted white. Her hand, clutching the suitcase handle, was red and raw from the cold. Yulia jumped out of the car, stuffed her into the passenger seat, tossed the suitcase into the trunk, then ran back around. Lily had only told her over the phone that she wanted a divorce. Yulia had a million questions. But the moment she saw Lily's blank, devastated expression, she didn't even know where to start. The heat was blasting inside the car. It quickly melted the frost clinging to Lily's lashes and brows. Steam clung to her eyes, and in that moment, the heart she thought had become unbreakable collapsed completely. Tears began falling in sheets. Hot, heavy drops splashed onto her frozen hands, scorching like fire. "Lily, is this because of that birthday party for Sarah? You two had a fight?" Yulia finally asked. The news was already trending. Of course she'd seen it. "It's not a fight. It's a divorce," Lily answered, her eyes blank but her tone unwavering. Yulia frowned and asked softly, "Did you even ask him what really happened? What if it was a misunderstanding?" "You tell me if this looks like a misunderstanding." Lily handed her the phone and pulled up the video. She hadn't even confronted Jared about cheating. His attitude had already made it clear. Yulia glanced at the thumbnail and immediately pulled the car to the curb. "What the hell!" she exploded, her temper flaring as hot as her fiery red hair. "Jared cheated and had the audacity to kick you out in the middle of the night? He should be the one packing his bags!" Lily took her phone back. "I didn't call him out on it." Yulia didn't get it. "Why not? We've got the upper hand-what's there to be afraid of?" "If I push it, I'm the one who ends up embarrassed." Even if she exposed him, what would she get out of it? Force him to leave the marriage empty-handed? Impossible. The Ginger family was no match for the Bolts. Her parents wouldn't side with her. They still needed the Bolt family's support. Yulia opened her mouth, then held back everything she wanted to say. She just started driving again. The Sue family was also one of the big names in Riverville. When Yulia graduated college, her family bought her a luxury apartment downtown. By the time they reached it, the sky was beginning to lighten. Lily set her suitcase down and sank into the couch, staring into space. Seeing her like that, Yulia asked, "So what now?" "First, I'm calling Jared's assistant to schedule the divorce." Lily paused, then added, "And then I'll find a job. I have to support myself." Fifty grand in monthly allowance was a lot, and for most people, it would last them years. But Lily had been running their household, always choosing the best of everything. Every week she bought gifts for the Bolt family elders for their regular family dinners. There was never anything left over. Now, she only had fifty thousand left in her account. "In that case, help me out before you get back on your feet!" Yulia suggested quickly. Of course, she also didn't want Lily home alone in her feelings. But the request was real. "I had a pianist booked for tomorrow... and he just ghosted me!" Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!