"As a reward, I’ll give you a big gift today, okay?" she said.

"Alright, I’ll wait for you at home," I replied.

Jasmine really was going all out to keep me from causing any more trouble for Joel. It was time to end this whole three-year mess.

The moment she left, I went to cancel the marriage. Filled out the paperwork and then headed straight to the lawyer’s office.

When I asked about the letter of understanding, the lawyer just told me that the family’s letter of understanding was legally solid. It had been put in place and couldn’t be undone.

I didn’t press further. I just told him to print out two divorce agreements for me.

With the documents in hand, I went over to Jasmine’s company.

As soon as I walked in, I overheard some employees chatting. "That’s Ms. Greer’s husband, right? I heard he just got back from abroad. With his style and presence, no wonder she’s all about him. Even I can’t resist!"

"It’s gotta be him. That watch on his wrist is a limited edition Patek Philippe. Only ten in the world. I saw Ms. Greer picking one out in her office, so I’m guessing she bought it for him. So sweet."

"The hotel abroad, that was built for him, wasn’t it? I heard they’ve been childhood sweethearts. Even the dramas wouldn’t be this dramatic!"

I was standing outside her office on the top floor when I overheard a familiar voice. "How’ve you been these past three years?"

Then I heard a guy answer, "Yeah, it’s been good. I wake up every day to the sea view and the air’s just full of freedom. I haven’t even properly thanked you yet. If it wasn’t for you, I would've—"

"Don’t bring it up. It’s all in the past. I’m helping you for my own reasons," Jasmine said.

Joel laughed softly. "You’re still the same after all these years. If Nash knew you were helping me out like this, he’d probably lose it.

"This watch is way too much. I can’t take it. You should give it to Nash instead. If I take it, he’ll probably sue me again."

Joel was always like this; taking all the advantages, playing the victim and then acting like the bigger person, as if forgiving me was some great act of generosity.

Three years ago, at the wedding, I exposed him in front of everyone, calling him out as a murderer and shattering his image.

He and Loren Spencer—his fiancée back then—turned on me instantly. The guests didn’t hesitate to follow their lead. I was torn apart, humiliated, left to be the punchline of their gossip.

Jasmine had been the only one to reach out, my only lifeline in that chaos.

But now, she was the one dragging me down.

I was still standing there when her secretary suddenly rushed by, bursting into the office with a contract in hand. Jasmine’s eyes widened when she saw me.

"Nash? What are you doing here? Don’t get the wrong idea, Joel just stopped by to catch up. That’s it," she said quickly, her voice a little too eager.

Joel stood up then, flashing his usual self-assured smile. "Nash, long time no see."

He looked like he had just walked out of a magazine ad, wearing a brand-new suit from the Greer Family line.

His face was glowing, his body fit—there wasn’t a single trace of the struggles he supposedly faced in prison.

I gave him a tight smile and said, "No worries, I was just passing through. Since you’re busy, I’ll head out."

Jasmine must’ve thought I was upset because she hurried after me, trying to explain. "Hey, come on, don’t act like this. I was just asking him how things were for him in prison. It’s been three years. Can’t we just let it go already? You said yourself it’s in the past."

I looked at her, my smile faint but steady. She had thrown our marriage away to save Joel and now that he was doing perfectly fine, who was she even trying to convince?

"Relax," I said calmly. "What’s done is done. I’m not upset. Like I said, I’m a man of my word."

"Go ahead, I'll wait for you at home," I said, keeping my tone steady.

She exhaled, visibly relieved and called her secretary to walk me out.

Just before I left, she added, "Oh, by the way, the Spencer Family is hosting a dinner tomorrow night to celebrate Joel's return.”

Since he was the CEO now, they had to keep up appearances. They were telling everyone he had been studying abroad, not a word about prison.

I nodded, giving her the answer she wanted. "Got it. I won’t cause any trouble at the dinner."

That seemed to settle her. With a quick nod, she sent me on my way.

When I got home, I stared at the wedding photos on the wall. After a moment, I pulled them down, one by one.

With scissors in hand, I sliced through every image until there was nothing left but shredded memories. The pieces went straight into the trash.

That night, Jasmine didn’t come back. But Joel did—on social media.

He posted a photo, the first in months. A candlelit dinner for two.

The photo was carefully cropped: no faces, just two wine glasses and a slender wrist. Her wrist. No wedding ring, but I didn’t need one to know it was Jasmine.

I liked the post, why not give him what he wanted? Then I turned off my phone and started packing my bags.

The next morning, Jasmine’s secretary dropped off me formal clothes for the dinner. Curious, I opened the box. It was a last-season design, hardly something impressive.

By the evening, I arrived at the party just in time to catch Loren finishing her speech. She was all smiles as she announced that Joel was taking over every joint project between the Greer Family and the Spencer group.

The crowd erupted in applause, buzzing with admiration. Everyone was talking about Joel’s “success,” marveling at his incredible luck. Two rich, beautiful women standing by him—one cleaning up his mess, the other handing him the keys to the kingdom.

Then I walked in and the energy in the room shifted. Conversations faded, replaced by curious stares and sly smirks. It was the kind of silence that said they were expecting a show.

Jasmine was too busy working the room to notice me.

Joel, on the other hand, noticed immediately. With that polished smile of his, he stepped in like a gracious host, guiding me upstairs to the terrace.

As soon as we were alone, his act disappeared. The charm vanished and the real Joel, the one I knew all too well, finally surfaced.

Joel's smirk was pure venom. "Nash, after all these years, you're still pathetic. You really thought Jasmine married you for love?

“Please. If you hadn’t sued me, she wouldn’t have even looked at you. I've been 'abroad' for the past three years, living comfortably—all thanks to your wife. Face it, Nash. You’re a joke."

The words hit harder than they should have, but I didn’t let them sink in. Instead, I let my fist do the talking.

The punch landed square on his face. He staggered back, still smirking, but before he could catch himself, he lost his balance and tumbled down the stairs.

A loud gasp rippled through the hall.

Jasmine rushed over, dropping to her knees beside him.

Panic filled her eyes as she turned to me, her voice sharp with anger. "Nash, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you out of your mind? Joel has always treated you well! Why would you push him? Didn’t you say you’d let the past go? Why are you making a scene now?"

I met her glare with a steady, unreadable expression. "Making a scene? Jasmine, don't you think you owe me an explanation for what happened back then?"

Her face tightened and for a split second, I saw hesitation—guilt, maybe. "What’s there to explain? Joel has apologized for the past three years. What else do you want?"

I scoffed. "One thing at a time. Whatever happened before, that doesn’t change what he said tonight. And it sure as hell doesn’t mean I owe him an apology."

Before Jasmine could respond, Joel reached for her hand, his voice trembling just enough to make it convincing.

"Don't... don't blame Nash," he murmured, his breath shaky.

"This is all my fault. I wronged him back then. Tonight was supposed to be my way of making it right." He sighed, shaking his head. "If he still hates me this much… maybe we shouldn’t see each other again. I don’t want to put you in the middle of this, Jasmine."

My hands curled into fists, nails biting into my palms until I felt the sting of broken skin.

As I watched them walk away, her arm wrapped around him, I finally saw it for what it was.

It was over.

The Spencer Family didn’t waste any time. Their security guards threw me out like I was trash.

A couple of hours later, Jasmine texted me, [Joel’s just been released and he’s not in a good headspace. Don’t take it personally. I only asked you to apologize earlier to keep up appearances for the Spencer Family.]

[Once I’ve handled everything, I’ll come home tonight to apologize properly, okay? And I told you I’d get you a gift, so don’t be mad, husband.]

Yeah, right. This wasn’t about the Spencer Family—it never was. This whole thing was for me. She had spent three years faking affection and now, it was finally falling apart.

I sat at home, divorce papers laid out on the table, waiting for her. Midnight passed. No sign of her.

Instead, the internet exploded with news.

The CEO of Greer Group had shown up at the hospital with Joel. He wasn’t even seriously hurt, just a couple of scratches, but she had called in a full team of specialists, sparing no expense.

Millions spent for what?

And then there were the photos. The two of them, holding each other tight. Her face was soft, full of warmth and tenderness. A look I’d never seen her give me. Not once.

At dawn, I finally called her.

She answered, but it was like I wasn’t even there at first. She was busy giving orders to her secretary.

“Ms. Greer,” the secretary started nervously, “are you sure about transferring the overseas hotel to Mr. Sanford? That’ll cost the company hundreds of millions. Maybe reconsider?”

Jasmine’s voice was sharp. “No, do it. That’s the compensation I promised him. And draft another contract to transfer half the company’s shares to Joel.”

When she finally turned her attention to me, her tone was light, like nothing had happened.

“Nash? Sorry for making you wait. I’ll head home soon. Is there something you wanted to talk about?”

I glanced at the divorce agreement in front of me, my chest tight. But my voice came out steady. “No, it’s fine. Go ahead with your work. I won’t bother you.”

“Okay,” she said casually. “Just wait for me at home. I’ll be back soon.”

I didn’t wait. I signed the papers, packed my bags and walked out.

Then, I headed straight to the police station and asked them to dig up the letter of understanding. Once I had it, I made a copy and sent it to Jasmine.

The timing was perfect—she would get it right when I was boarding my flight.

I had stayed out for an entire day and night. She didn’t come home either. The countdown on my phone hit zero.

Right as I got on the plane, her texts started coming in.

[Nash, I had my assistant drop off your gift at home. Why aren’t you opening the door? Are you still upset?]

[Don’t be mad, okay? Be good. I’ll be back soon.]

I didn’t reply. Instead, I stared at Joel’s latest hospital post. The picture showed Jasmine gently feeding him fruit, her eyes full of affection I had never seen directed at me.

A notification buzzed—confirmation that our marriage had been canceled. I deleted her contact info without hesitation.

At the hospital, her secretary came rushing in, her face pale and panicked, holding a letter in her hand.

“Ms. Greer! We’ve got a problem! Mr. Schultz somehow got his hands on the letter of understanding you forged three years ago! I can’t reach him!”