"Jaxon, let's get a divorce."

The room fell completely silent, as if someone had pressed pause on the entire scene.

Jaxon turned to look at me, only then realizing my face was covered in blood. His brows knit together. Panic flickered in his eyes, along with a hint of guilt, maybe even concern. He let go of Sophie, took half a step toward me.

But just then, Sophie cried out in pain.

"Jaxon…my hand…it really hurts! I think it's broken!"

He immediately reached for her hand to check. The red marks across her skin were nothing more than what she had pressed into herself while gripping me moments ago. Still, he brought it to his lips and blew on it gently, tenderly.

I let out a hollow laugh and staggered toward the study. From the drawer, I pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared long ago.

"Jaxon," I said, placing the documents down, "I wish you both happiness."

…

It took me three days to gather myself. Once I felt stable enough, I returned to Jaxon's family villa to collect the rest of my things. I had made up my mind. I was leaving for good.

But when I arrived at the gate, I saw the trash bin by the curb overflowing with things that once belonged in my bedroom.

"Well, look who's back," Sophie said, walking up to me with feigned surprise. "Here to collect your stuff? Perfect timing. I was just helping clean the place up. A lot of it was old junk anyway—no point in keeping it around, so I took care of it for you."

"You had no right to throw out my things!" I snapped.

She gave a cold laugh and, without warning, flung a bottle of cleaning solution at me. The harsh chemical soaked through my clothes, its acrid stench filling my nose.

"Oops. My bad. Slipped right out of my hand," she said with mock apology, her eyes full of challenge. "You're leaving anyway. Why let your things clutter up my home? This place belongs to me now."

"You—" I started, but before I could finish, she grabbed my wrist, then suddenly slapped herself across the face.

Just then, Jaxon came downstairs. His eyes landed on Sophie and the blood at the corner of her mouth. Her cheek was red and swollen.

"Lauren! What the heck are you doing?!"

Before I could speak, Sophie's body slumped as if she were about to faint. Jaxon rushed over, catching her in his arms, eyes wide with worry.

"Jaxon, maybe I never should've come to you," she murmured. "Is it because she can't have children, so she's angry at me…?"

"I should just go. That way, Lauren can be happy. You'll have one less thing to worry about. Let it be just me who suffers." As she spoke, more blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Jaxon held her tighter. He turned to me, his expression dark with anger and disappointment.

"Lauren, how much longer are you going to make a scene? I already said I won't marry her. Yes, I made a mistake. I cost you your child. But now I'm trying to make up for it! Sophie's children will call you 'mom.' What more do you want?"

I thought I couldn't hurt any more than I already had. But I was wrong.

I gave him a broken smile.

"We were together for seven years. And that's how you look at me now? Is this really what I've become in your eyes?"

Then I turned and ran out of the villa.

I wandered aimlessly, sobbing until no more tears came, though my heart kept bleeding.

The scent of harsh chemicals clung to me, burning my skin and throat. My limbs grew heavier with every step, and I realized I had no idea where I was going. I had no destination, no home.

A wave of dizziness hit me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed hard onto the pavement.

I tried to get up, but my legs wouldn't move. Was it the exhaustion? Was I finally past my limit?

Behind me, a car horn blared.

I turned just in time to see a black sedan accelerating straight toward me. It didn't slow down.

It sped up.