Chapter 4

I rejected him coldly.

"No. The new collection is confidential. I can't share it."

He frowned.

"It's just a draft. It's not like she's stealing the actual product. Don't be so petty, Chloe."

I looked at him with a mocking smile.

"When I wanted to buy a specific fabric from Hailey's company years ago, what did you say to me?"

Back then, he said I was malicious, trying to copy Hailey's source materials under the guise of buying them.

Austin's face darkened.

"Just help her this once. If you do, we'll go to City Hall next month."

"Otherwise, I'm way too busy. The wedding will have to wait until next year."

I stared at the man threatening me.

Once, he held me and said he couldn't wait to make me his wife.

Now, he was weaponizing our marriage to help the woman who had abandoned him.

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Then let's not get married."

"I don't want to marry you anymore."

I started my car and drove off, leaving him standing there in shock.

I started a silent treatment.

Or rather, I simply checked out of the relationship.

I stopped waiting for him to come home, stopped cooking his dinners, and stopped leaving the porch light on.

Every night, I slept in Lily's room.

I used to think leaving Austin would leave a massive void in my life.

Instead, I felt incredibly light.

Austin didn't even notice. He was still FaceTiming Hailey every night, playing dad to Mason.

I thought we would just drift apart quietly.

But that weekend, my mother, Audrey, was rushed to the ER. The hospital issued three critical condition notices.

I sobbed by her bedside.

My mother weakly gripped my hand.

"Don't cry, sweetie. Everyone has to go eventually."

"Is Austin still busy? Is he not coming?"

I looked at my phone. Austin had declined all my calls. I shook my head, tears streaming down my face.

I had called him over a hundred times. He ignored every single one, eventually blocking my number.

I slapped myself in pure regret and despair.

My mother sighed deeply, placing a vintage jade pendant in my hand.

"Keep this, my child. If you meet someone who truly loves you in the future, give it to him."

She knew Austin was not a good man for me.

She closed her eyes, and the heart monitor went flat.

My mother hated noisy crowds, so I handled her funeral completely alone.

When I finally walked back into our apartment, Austin was on a video call with Hailey.

"The campus changed so much! I actually found our old engraved initials on the bench. We were so lucky today."

I froze in the doorway.

My already dead heart was ripped open once again, bleeding profusely.

He didn't decline my calls because of work.

He was busy strolling down memory lane on his college campus with Hailey.

Austin saw me and said casually,

"Where have you been? I have news."

"I took your new fall design drafts and gave them to Hailey. She needs a solid debut to establish herself in her new company."

"Consider it a favor. She said she'll thank you later."

I stared at him, unable to believe my ears.

"That draft was my mother's final masterpiece left to me! It is the only copy! How dare you give it away?!"

Austin scoffed impatiently,

"Just ask her to sketch a few more. 'Only copy'? You make it sound like she passed away or something."

The final string of sanity in my brain snapped.

*Slap!*

I slapped him across the face with everything I had.

Years ago, my mother had saved Austin from drowning, sustaining a severe head injury that ended her own design career.

And now, she had just passed away, and her final legacy was stolen by the very man she saved.

The man who had ignored my emergency calls, leaving my mother to die with regret.

Austin clutched his burning cheek, outraged.

"It's just a dress! Who cares whose name is on it?"

"Fine! I already scheduled our marriage appointment for next month! Consider it your compensation. Are you happy now?"

I stared at his face. When did the passionate, responsible man I once loved turn into this disgusting monster?

I raised my hand and slapped him again.

"Get out! We are over!"