Chapter 2

Caleb’s expression darkened. His warm palm rested against Yasmin’s delicate neck—a caress, a warning. It felt as though disobedience would snap her neck instantly. “You wanted this marriage. Now, you ask for a divorce?” He leaned closer, his low voice a blend of teasing and threat. “What’s the matter? Found someone new?”

Yasmin sensed the danger but remained firm. “It’s not someone new. I’ve liked him for a long time.”

Caleb’s gaze intensified, his interest piqued. “Oh? Who?”

“You don’t know him.”

“Try me.” His voice was chillingly calm, devoid of curiosity, as if considering a threat.

“A senior from the university.” The absurdity of discussing a lover—a nonexistent one, no less—with her husband struck her.

Caleb chuckled. “Yasmin, you’re never interested in anything for long. Today, him; tomorrow, another. How long will you love this man?”

Never interested? She had loved him since childhood, yet he saw her as fickle. She lowered her gaze. “Veronica is back. I’m making room for her. You should be happy.”

“Should I praise your consideration, Mrs. Grant?” Caleb straightened, towering over her. His shadow engulfed her. His expression was hidden, but the pressure was suffocating. His use of “Mrs. Grant” was pointedly mocking.

His phone rang, interrupting her. He answered curtly, then tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table and went upstairs. Minutes later, he descended, suit jacket in hand, ready to leave. Yasmin, barefoot, followed him, clutching the papers.

“Why don’t you sign them first?”

Caleb suppressed his rage, glancing at the documents. With no financial disputes, Yasmin had agreed to walk away with nothing. The agreement was simple; he could review it in seconds. “You’re walking away with nothing? Mrs. Grant, even a bad deal isn’t this one-sided,” he advised. “Money can be earned, but people can’t wait.”

Yasmin offered a hasty excuse, eager for a dignified end to their disastrous marriage. Her words only deepened his scowl.

“You like him that much?”

Yasmin nodded, urging him to sign.

“Mrs. Grant, you were a top law student. I, a layman, wouldn’t dare sign an agreement with you so casually.”

He left without another word.

“Caleb!” she called, watching him go. Then, impulsively, she yelled, “Believe it or not, I never planned to trap you into marriage three years ago!”

“Oh, really?” His response was dismissive. He vanished from sight. She knew he didn’t believe her. Everyone assumed marrying him was a stroke of luck for a neglected daughter like her. But she had loved him for years. Why would she force him?

Yasmin was born in Glenfield, where the legal marriage age was sixteen. She married Caleb at eighteen. Now, at twenty-one, she was divorcing him and entering her final year of law school at Dunville University. With summer break beginning, she moved from the Longview Bay villa to an apartment near campus.

Two days later, she received a text: “Yasmin, are you free tomorrow at 2:00 pm? There’s something important I need to discuss with you.” A location was included.

At a high-end cafe, Veronica sat by the window, elegant in a sleeveless black Chanel dress. A black wrist brace covered her left hand, concealing an old injury. Yasmin averted her gaze, fighting guilt.

“Yasmin, I thought you wouldn’t come.” Veronica stood, smiling gently. Among the city’s elite, she was known as the perfect older sister. Yasmin once believed it.

“I wasn’t planning to,” Yasmin replied, sitting down. “You texted me a time and place without asking. It’s rude.” If she hadn’t wanted to stop Veronica from going to her university, she wouldn’t have come.

Veronica paused, then smiled, seemingly offering a compliment. “You’ve grown bold after marrying Caleb. You never dared to talk to me like this before.” Yasmin hadn’t been afraid; she’d been naive.

“What do you want?”

“Dad and Mom asked me to check if you’ve spoken to Caleb about Jeremy. His trial is next week. There’s no time left.”

“Jeremy committed assault. The case is solid. No one can help him.”

After Yasmin’s mother died, her father quickly remarried Veronica’s mother. Veronica, two years older, became her father’s favorite. Later, they had a son, Jeremy, spoiled beyond reason. This year, at eighteen, he fought with the Barnes family heir, causing irreparable eye damage. The Barnes family wanted him jailed.

“Yasmin, you’re a lawyer. You know there’s a way around this. The Barneses are just the Grants’ dogs. Caleb can easily handle it.” Veronica’s tone was soft, but her words were sharp. “You can get Caleb out of my bed in the middle of the night with a single call. Asking him yourself would be more effective.”

Yasmin rested her chin in her palm, amusement in her voice. “Besides, I don’t have the standing to ask him for anything. Caleb and I are getting a divorce.”

“You’re… divorcing?” Veronica’s eyes widened.

Yasmin laughed. “Oh? Caleb didn’t tell you?” She twirled a lock of hair. “Wow, maybe you should worry about whether he’s got another woman, considering he didn’t even tell you something this important!”

Veronica didn’t react. “Yasmin, Caleb and I are just friends.” She studied Yasmin, unconvinced. “You schemed your way into his bed and became Mrs. Grant… You should be clinging to him, not letting go.”

Yasmin sighed dramatically. “I just can’t take it anymore.”