"It seems you didn't take yesterday's warning seriously," Ray stated darkly. Now that Nadia had left, his expression had reverted to the cold and unapproachable one I was used to seeing.

He turned, grabbed a document, and tossed it at me.

As I skimmed through it, I realized it was a project my father's company was working on.

"I meant what I said, Claire. Your father could be left with nothing but the clothes on his back if I wanted it so. How long do you think you can continue living like a pampered princess when that happens?" Ray added threateningly.

I licked my dry lips. It turned out he had always resented me all these years.

Years ago, Ray and I confronted my father to tell him about our relationship. The old man was furious.

Dad had refused to allow me to marry Ray because Ray had nothing back then. However, Ray had even gone on his knees at the time. He had also stubbornly refused to let go of my hand and endured it all as Dad humiliated him.

But today, Ray threw a divorce agreement at my face. It reminded me of when Dad had thrown a wad of cash in his.

It seemed karma had made its way to me, and it was now my turn to experience such humiliation—but did it really have to be this way? Ray merely needed to tell me he didn't love me anymore, and I wouldn't have made him stay.

When I picked up the divorce agreement, I couldn't help chuckling mirthlessly when I saw he had already signed it. It seemed he genuinely loved Nadia.

"Can I ask you a question?" I said to him. I looked up from the agreement and back at him.

Taking in his pretentious appearance, I asked, "What do you like about her?"

Ray didn't answer. Our seven years of marriage ended in silence.

…

Ray brought Nadia along to city hall on the day we were to collect our divorce certificate.

"Is this to save the trouble of making a second trip?" I couldn't help asking sardonically.

Ray hid Nadia behind him like a mother hen protecting a chick.

"I'm sorry, Claire. I didn't know you and Ray were married," Nadia apologized. "I definitely wouldn't have come between you two if I had known, but you've seen how unhappy Ray was in your marriage. And now that you've divorced him amicably, I hope you can be happy for us."

The words coming out of her pretty mouth made me want to die.

"I hope you don't mind, but I would like to invite you to our wedding," she added as she handed me an invitation.

I wordlessly looked at Ray, hoping to glimpse a sliver of the old him—the one that used to love me. However, his gaze was focused entirely on the blushing Nadia, so much so that he wouldn't even spare me a glance.

I couldn't believe they were already handing out wedding invitations when our divorce certificate was still hot off the press.

Ray and Nadia's extravagant wedding was even featured on the news. He was smiling adoringly while holding a white-gown Nadia, which made me think back to our wedding day.

Ray and I hadn't had any guests—it had just been us, holding hands. It had seemed so sad and lonely. Yet, I had felt like I was the happiest person in the world.

I had already packed up all my things and booked a flight out of the country. As for the villa he had left to me in the divorce, I had already listed it for sale on a real estate platform, too.

I called Ray one last time before boarding my plane. "I've put the house up for sale. If there's anything you want, remember to pick it up—"

"No need, just throw it all away," he cut me off. Ray's reply was curt, and he ended the call before I could say anything else.

Did he hate me so much that he didn't even want to hear my voice? I was about to block Ray's number when a text from him came through.

"Hey, do you have a death wish?" it read. Then, his next text sent chills down my spine and spiked my heart with fear.

"Who gave you permission to reveal the secrets of our marriage? Can't you at least come up with a more subtle way to get your revenge?"

I immediately tapped the news notification on my phone, and sure enough, the latest headline was about Ray's extramarital affairs and that his new wife was one of his mistresses.

I called Ray. When he finally answered, I immediately said, "I didn't—"

However, he interrupted me again. "Don't think you'll get to live in peace now that you've done this. Do you think I'm still the same person you and your father used to bully?"

I didn't even think to hang up before frantically hailing a cab and rushing to my childhood home.

"Dad! Where are you?" I yelled once I arrived.

I collapsed by the door, sobbing as my heart raced. I didn't know what crazy thing Ray might do now that he had been triggered.