Chapter 2

"Everything stated is in accordance with the law. As for the child, I won't let him stay with you, given your immoral conduct," Victoria said and made it clear that she'd never taken advantage of him. "You haven't earned a single dollar in our five years of marriage, so why should I split my earnings with you?" Leon ruthlessly asked. "I've been taking care of you and Edwin for all these years," she replied. He looked at her indifferently. "So?" So? Victoria felt as if she was meeting him for the first time. "If you're thinking about using marital assets to cover your mother's expensive medical bills, you should give up on that idea now." Leon tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table. Victoria stared at him and asked, "What do you mean?" "There are no marital assets," Leon clarified. "If you don't trust me, you can file for divorce and have the court investigate." Victoria froze. After a brief moment of shock, the realization hit her. From the first time she'd questioned him about the perfume to their current confrontation, he'd transferred all marital assets away. She should've known something was off when she overheard that conversation at the door, and now it was clear that he'd planned it all. He'd been waiting for her to discover the truth and confront him, so he could smoothly propose his absurd demand to maintain the family while having a mistress. "Hah! You're really something," Victoria jeered inwardly. Then, she looked up and said, "Fine. Just sign it. I only want the child." Now that she'd completely seen through him, she knew he'd been meticulous in covering everything up and leaving no evidence. Leon signed. His handwriting was as elegant and refined as his appearance, but Victoria found it utterly disgusting. … The next morning, they headed to the courthouse to submit their divorce application. Through the process, Leon showed no reluctance or guilt and maintained the same calm demeanor he'd always had. As Victoria signed the documents, she glanced at him. She couldn't help wondering how he'd managed to treat her so well for years despite never loving her. What was their marriage even supposed to mean? "Your divorce application has been accepted. There's a one-month cooling-off period. For 30 days starting May 13th, you can come over to revoke the application if either party wishes to cancel the divorce," the staff explained while handing them the divorce receipt. "Between June 13th and July 12th, you may bring the required documents to collect your divorce certificate. If you do not, the divorce application will be automatically withdrawn." They each took their copy. Upon leaving the courthouse, Victoria didn't return home with Leon. Instead, she went to see her best friend, Susie Sutton. She needed someone to talk to about something this big. When she arrived at Susie's place, the latter had just gotten out of bed. She noticed Victoria's low spirits and asked with concern, "Why the long face? Did something happen?" "Leon and I got a divorce," Victoria said calmly, though her heart felt as if it were being torn apart. She'd truly loved him, and it'd be a lie to say she wasn't in pain. Susie was utterly baffled and didn't believe her words. "Stop kidding around. Everyone knows Leon treats you so well. Even if everyone else gets divorced, there's no way he'd agree with how much he dotes on you." "It's true," Victoria stated with a serious expression. Noticing her reaction, Susie realized she wasn't joking and immediately pressed for details. Victoria told her everything. After learning about the reason for their divorce, the hot-tempered Susie erupted in anger. "Damn it! What a jerk! How dare he make such a disgusting request!" "Does he know about your relationship with Eva?" she pressed. "He does," Victoria confirmed. Leon had thoroughly investigated all her relationships. "And he brought it up? Is he out of his mind?" Susie seethed. She grabbed Victoria and dragged her up. "Come on, let's beat him up! I won't feel better until we do!" "Do you think you can get close to him?" Victoria reminded her. Susie froze. A powerful jerk wasn't exactly a good thing. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Are you sure there's not a single marital property under his name? Could he be lying to you?" "It doesn't matter anymore," Victoria said. She'd decided to let go. Susie looked at her in disbelief. "How can it not matter?" "He won't let me have any of it even if they exist. Plus, proving infidelity for a divorce lawsuit is tough, and even if I manage to collect any proof, most of it would be circumstantial. They won't be strong enough to serve as direct evidence," Victoria explained. Filing for divorce might sound simple, but it was actually challenging when the other party was someone like Leon. He was meticulous and ensured no trace of his financial support for Eva could be found. There would be no proof of them living together as a couple. The only thing Victoria could do was take their child, Edwin Quigley, and leave the morally corrupt man. "If you ask me, you shouldn't divorce him. Hold onto your position as the rightful wife!" Susie grew increasingly indignant. "Spend all his money so Susie will remain a shameful mistress for the rest of her life." "That would be playing right into his hands," Victoria pointed out in a clear rational tone. Susie paused. Then, realizing the truth in Victoria's words, she seethed. To think she'd once thought Leon was one of the rare responsible men in their circle! "So what's your plan? You can't just have the jerk and homewrecker spend their lives happily ever after." Susie asked. "First, I'll move out. I'll find a job once I'm settled." Victoria had spent last night thinking about her next steps after crying her heart out. "Why should you move out? You're not the one who cheated." Susie disagreed. "Stay there with Edwin. I dare him to kick you out." "He won't do it himself, but he'll find ways to force me out," Victoria said. Last night's events had given her the chance to see Leon in a new light. "What a bastard! I used to think he was husband material!" Susie was livid. Victoria pursed her lips and lowered her gaze. Before all this, she'd thought Leon was the light pulling her out of the mess Wayne left behind. Now she realized he was just another mess she had to deal with. One abandoned her and fled with money, while the other transferred their marital assets away and demanded she accept another woman in their marriage. These two men, whom she considered family, were disturbingly alike. As Susie was still trying to think of ways to secure Victoria's benefits, the latter's phone rang. She answered immediately, seeing that it was a call from the hospital. "Ms. Smith, Mr. Quigley has stopped covering your mother's medical expenses for the next month and beyond. Could you come to the hospital to discuss the next steps for her treatment?" the doctor, Leslie Zane, urged. "I'll be right there," Victoria said without hesitation. After hanging up, she told Susie she had to leave for the hospital and rushed over. When she arrived, she found Leon waiting for her in the doctor's office.