Chapter 3

As the coworkers were dragging Chloe away, she tripped over her own heels.

She fell, apparently spraining her ankle, and immediately burst into tears.

Hearing the commotion, Ethan aborted his meeting instantly. He ran out of the conference room, leaving a room full of executives behind, and rushed straight to Chloe's side.

Everyone in the office crowded around to watch the drama unfold.

Ethan knelt beside her, his face dark with fury. He roared at the crowd:

"Who did this to her?!"

Classic protective billionaire behavior. The surrounding employees immediately lowered their heads, their faces turning pale.

I stepped forward and stood right in front of him.

"I did. She has a big mouth, so I taught her a lesson."

Chloe cried even harder, her innocent eyes wide with tears as she looked at Ethan.

"Did I say anything wrong? Is it a crime to love a married man? Why does she get to call me a homewrecker? Everyone knows you love me, Ethan! And I love you too! As long as we love each other, nobody can tear us apart. Not even her!"

What a bold statement. Love knows no order, sure, but this was the first time I had seen someone paint homewrecking as something so noble.

Before I could even speak, Ethan let out a soft laugh.

He gently stroked her hair and wiped her tears with a tissue.

"You're so cute, baby."

The contrast between being loved and being ignored was glaringly obvious at this moment.

But I didn't want to waste any more words on him.

"It's our second anniversary today. I want you to give me the downtown penthouse."

The penthouse was where I currently lived, the place they frequently used to disrespect me.

I knew if I asked for cash, he would just call me materialistic. So I wanted the property. I could sell it and use the money for my medical treatments.

In Ethan's eyes, I was already a materialistic gold-digger who only cared about money.

He had accepted that when we got married, claiming that as long as I stayed with him, he would give me whatever I wanted.

So, I wasn't going to be polite. But this time, he hesitated.

He looked at me with a smirk, pinching my chin tightly.

"Still as materialistic as ever, Jasmine. I can give you the penthouse. But first, apologize to my baby."

He glanced at Chloe, his twenty-two-year-old "baby."

How the tables had turned. He used to call me that, too.

He loved using money to crush my dignity. He loved showing off how much he adored his new toy.

I did my best to control my expression, ignoring the physical pain in my chest, and smiled back at him.

"An apology? That will cost you extra."

He looked at me with pure disgust, releasing my chin and pushing me back slightly.

"Your appetite is getting bigger and bigger."

"If we can't reach a deal, then forget it."

I didn't want anything that had to be begged for.

Whether it was love, or money.

I was actually quite curious. If Ethan found out one day that this was my life-saving money, would he regret his decision today?

He of all people knew how terrified I was of pain, and how much I hated bitter medicine.