Chapter 2

Oliver came to pick me up, arm in arm with a nightclub girl. He casually asked, “Paula, have you learned your lesson now? Do you know how to be a good wife to me?”

I nodded. Only then did Oliver’s expression soften. He dismissed the nightclub girl and hugged me tightly.

“Paula, I only did this for your own good. How could you possibly survive in New York without me?”

“Besides, isn’t this how every family in New York operates? This truly was an accident. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Half a year later, he threw me a birthday party that caused a sensation throughout the entire city. While changing backstage, I stumbled upon him entangled with my makeup artist.

This time, I calmly closed the door and paid off the waiting media with a hefty sum.

That day’s headlines showed my lonely silhouette, with the caption:

[Promises Slapped in the Face, Mrs. Cerano Accepts Defeat.]

From that day on, Oliver began to revel in the company of women without restraint, hiding nothing. He knew that no matter how badly he treated me, I couldn’t leave him.

Until yesterday, when the young nurse assigned to my grandmother’s care started flirting with Oliver, the girl pleaded, saying she was afraid I’d see her leaving her post on the security cameras and blame her.

Oliver immediately ordered the power to be cut off to the entire building. Along with the security cameras, my grandmother’s ventilator was also shut off.

By the time I realized something was wrong, I rushed into the ward. My grandmother was barely clinging to life.

Her last words to me were, “Paula, go home.”

At that moment, I knew it was time to leave. The media kept pressuring me for money.

I repeatedly calmly said, “Three hundred. I’ll give you a bombshell story. A bombshell that will make your magazine the top media outlet in New York.”

The paparazzi was stunned by my words and after a long pause, he chuckled and cursed, “Mrs. Cerano, have you been driven mad by Mr. Cerano?”

“Alright, I understand your situation. I won’t charge you this time. We’ll settle everything next time we catch you together.”

He hung up and Oliver returned. Seeing me, he instinctively walked over to embrace me.

I took a step back, leaving him empty-handed. The warmth in his eyes cooled slightly.

“Are you angry? That little brat Quina Tivoli insisted on dragging me to the parking lot to make a scene. She even bragged about becoming the woman with the highest buyout price among my women.”

“She looks the most like you did when you were young. When she pouted, I couldn’t help but agree.”

“By the way, how is Grandma?”

I replied coldly, “Grandma passed away, Oliver. Don’t you want to know how she died?”

Oliver merely hummed in acknowledgment, dismissively saying, “Grandma’s illness was incurable. It’s only natural she couldn’t hold on. My condolences, sweetheart. I’ll have a grand funeral arranged.”

I closed my eyes, my clenched hands trembling almost beyond control. Oliver didn’t notice at all. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pushed me out.

I’ve had the auction house prepare a gift for you. I believe you’ll like it. Consider it my way of comforting you.”

Numbly, I let him lead me to the auction house. No sooner had I sat down than a video call came in. Oliver glanced at it, then sat bolt upright, his eyes bursting with delight.

He turned, embraced me excitedly and kissed me several times. “Honey. I have great news to share with you. Wait for me to return.”

With that, he left me behind and walked out. I remained in a daze for a long time. I had almost forgotten when Oliver last held me like this.