---- Chapter 2 | slumped over my desk, taking a while to pull myself together. That's when | noticed the red marks on my wrist from where Ethan had grabbed me. | wiped my tears and calmly ordered stomach medicine and painkillers online. As soon as | finished, another text from Maddie came in: "1m so sorry, Vivian. | was just so scared and didn't know what else to do, so | asked Mr. Harrington for help. Please don't be mad at him." My fingers hovered over the screen before | clicked on her social media Her latest post was fresh. "Got into a small car accident, but one call and the boss dropped everything to. handle it for me. How lucky am 1?" The attached photo? Ethan standing in front of her, shielding her from an angry driver, his brows furrowed, face tense with worry. The comments underneath made my stomach turn: "Wow, Mr. Harrington is so handsome! When are you gonna snag him for good?" ---- Maddie didn't deny anything. She just left a vague emoji reply. Ethan had always been reluctant to tell anyone about our marriage Was it because he was protecting me from judgment? Or because he was ashamed of me? The answer was clear. Our colleagues didn't know we were married. But Maddie definitely did. Otherwise, why would she keep flaunting herself in front of me? Looking at the photo of Ethan, tall and composed, made my chest ache sharply. Four years ago, when the company was just starting out, | was just a naive girl fresh out of college Ethan once forgot an important contract at home before a major business meeting. | drove it over, terrified something would go wrong On the way, | got into a car accident. The car was wrecked, my body beaten and bruised. Blood streamed from my head ---- My arm was dislocated, and every move was agony. It was the closest I'd ever come to death. Desperate and scared, | used the last bit of strength | had to call Ethan. "Ethan... | had an accident. Please help me." The sound of shattering glass came from the other end, followed by his angry voice. "Do you know how important this meeting is? You had a car accident now of all times? Are you trying to ruin the company?" Clutching my wounds, trying to stop the bleeding, | begged. "Vm serious, Ethan. | think I'm dying. Please... come help me." All| got in return was his exasperated reply. "Vm busy right now. You're a grown woman. Figure it out yourself." And then he hung up. Bleeding and in pain, | somehow managed to deal with the aftermath on my own At the hospital, the doctor recommended | stay for observation But | couldn't bear the thought of leaving the company hanging, so | dragged my battered body home. The moment | walked in, Ethan threw the thick contract at me. ---- It hit my still-healing wound, ripping it open again. Blood soaked through, staining the papers. "You're back? See? You didn't die. So why didn't you deliver this on time? We lost the deal because of you!" The next day, Ethan dragged me to apologize to the client. The man sneered, looking me up and down. "An apology? Where's the sincerity in that?" Ethan, all smiles, gripped my injured arm hard and hissed in my ear, "Just make it right. Now." 'Suppressing the nausea from my wounds and the pain coursing through my body, | raised my glass, drinking every drop of wine Ethan handed me under the client's leering gaze. | knew exactly what that man's gaze meant. So the moment the contract was signed, | excused myself, fled to the restroom, and then went straight home. Even now, just recalling it made my whole body ache with the memory. | picked up my phone and sent Ethan a message. "When you have time, let's talk about getting a divorce." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!