Chapter 2
The moment the words left my mouth, the room went silent.
Hunter’s frown deepened, his expression morphing into one of incredulous anger.
“Brooke, what the hell has gotten into you today?”
“Is it because I took the kids for ice cream? Or because I’m taking them out to dinner?” Hunter let out a cold laugh, barely containing his rage.
His face was a masterclass in forced composure–jaw tight, eyes burning, pretending he was the reasonable one while clearly at his breaking point.
Ryan tilted his head thoughtfully before his eyes lit up with realization.
“If Dad divorces Mom, does that mean he can marry Auntie Sloane?” he asked excitedly.
Both children began jumping up and down.
“Hurry up and get divorced! Hurry up! We want Auntie Sloane to be our new mom!”
Over the eight years of our marriage, I’d grown accustomed to Hunter’s coldness. But the children’s attitude cut deeper than any knife could.
Perhaps sensing my distress, Sloane gently took my hand.
“Cousin, don’t be upset. I don’t have any ulterior motives,” she said softly. “I just came back to the States and wanted to catch up with Hunter. We’re just friends. I’d never try to steal your family…”
I pulled my hand away without acknowledging her words, my face deliberately blank.
“You don’t need to steal anything,” I said flatly. “The position of Mrs. Mitchell was always meant to be yours.”
Seven years ago, Hunter had collapsed drunk in my arms, calling out Sloane’s name.
That was when I finally understood–the reason Hunter Mitchell, heir to a business empire, had married me was simply because I somewhat resembled my cousin.
Sloane had abandoned everything to study abroad during their most passionate year together. She became the black sheep of her family, but also Hunter’s eternal “one that got away.”
Hunter couldn’t resent his parents who brought him wealth and power. He couldn’t resent Sloane for pursuing her dreams
and freedom.
So he channeled all his resentment toward me.
Too refined to resort to physical violence or shouting matches, he expressed his disappointment through endless coldness a..d
criticism.
I had cried countless nights, falling into spirals of self–doubt. But when I finally steeled myself to file for divorce, I discovered I was pregnant with twins.
The doctor explained that terminating the pregnancy might result in permanent infertility due to complications.
22:45
My Husband’s Back with His Ex… So I Fake a Scandal & Flee!
12.5%
Chapter 2
My parents and relatives took turns persuading me to stay.
“A man of Hunter’s status who doesn’t gamble, cheat, or hit you is one in a million,” they insisted. “This marriage is too valuable to throw away. Think of the bigger picture.”
My in–laws also made their position clear: if I gave birth to these children, the Parker family would be financially secure for generations.
Everyone urged me to endure.
For the children. For the Parker family. For my parents.
And so I endured for seven years.
During those seven years, my twins became my only pillars of strength.
But now, even they had taken Sloane’s side.
All my sacrifices seemed meaningless.
If that was the case, I might as well let go gracefully and free us all.
I retrieved the divorce papers I’d hidden in the bottom drawer for seven years and handed them to Hunter,
“Sign these. You can have full custody of Ryan and Maya,” I said calmly. “Whoever becomes their mother after me is your
decision.”
Hunter stared at me for what felt like forever, his jaw clenching and unclenching, that telltale muscle twitching at the corner
of his mouth.
This was his angry face.
Sure enough, the next second, he tore the divorce papers to shreds.
“You’ve completely lost your mind, Brooke,” he said with a cold laugh. “What makes you think you have any right to divorce
me?”
I’d grown accustomed to Hunter’s contempt.
I turned and closed the bedroom door behind me, ignoring the furious gaze boring into my back.
The divorce was non–negotiable now.
After thirty years of swallowing my pride, I wanted to see the world beyond these walls, just like Sloane had done.
