Chapter 2

Chloe got carsick easily. She had rolled down the window for some fresh air before falling asleep with her head resting on my lap.

Right now, the cold wind cut through the gap in the window, chilling me straight to the bone.

My body shook uncontrollably. I could barely hold the phone.

Whatever Ethan was saying after that, I couldn't hear. My mind had gone completely blank.

After what felt like an eternity, Ethan finally realized something was wrong on the other end.

He asked cautiously, "...Claire?"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's me. She's asleep."

The line went dead silent for a few seconds. Then, Ethan lowered his voice.

"I can explain."

I asked, "Is there any point?"

Ethan instantly panicked. "Don't you dare take this out on her!"

After a pause, he quickly added, "Tell me what you want. As long as it's within my power, I'll give it to you!"

I dazed out for a second.

The Ethan in my memory was always calm, detached, and utterly stoic.

Even when I got hit by a car a few years ago, he calmly negotiated the compensation with the driver on the spot. He didn't back down an inch, leaving me sitting on the curb, dizzy and bleeding.

It was only when I fainted from blood loss that his face showed a hint of worry.

I had always thought he was just wired that way—emotionally stunted, but not unloving.

Yet here he was, losing his absolute mind over Chloe.

The difference between love and indifference was so glaringly obvious. I couldn't lie to myself anymore.

I looked down at Chloe, who was sleeping peacefully on my lap, completely oblivious.

"I want the Whispering Pines Estate," I said.

Ethan's voice hardened. "Are you intentionally trying to make things difficult for me?"

"I already gave that house to Chloe. Choose something else. Or I can wire you the equivalent in cash."

I fell silent.

No wonder when I FaceTimed Chloe last time, her new place looked so familiar.

The Whispering Pines Estate was supposed to be our marital home.

I personally supervised the design of that house, but I never got to live in it after the renovation.

The location was too secluded, and the mansion was too massive and empty. Ethan was always flying across the country, staying at his various properties, never tying himself down to one place.

As for me, I had bought a cozy apartment near my office before our marriage. I didn't see the point of living in a giant, empty house alone.

I never imagined my compromise would end up accommodating him and Chloe.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. The sharp pain brought me back to reality.

"I'll give you three days," I said coldly. "Take back everything you gave her, and we will redraw the asset division."

Ethan's breathing turned heavy. "Is this really necessary, Claire?"

"When she accepted those gifts, she was constantly worried I was treating you poorly. She literally begged me to buy things for you too. Why can't you be as big-hearted and generous as she is?"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Recently, Ethan had given me ten luxury gifts.

It started with a pair of designer socks, then a notebook, a desk globe, and finally, a keychain.

They were all cheap, hard-to-sell filler items that high-end boutiques force customers to buy so they can get their hands on the popular bags.

He gave the stunning, highly-coveted bags to Chloe, and tossed the leftover junk to me.

And yet, he praised Chloe for being "generous."

"If you don't want to do it," I said, "I can wake her up right now and have her return everything to me directly."

Ethan backed down.

"Give me a little time," he muttered.

He hung up, and the car fell silent again.

I leaned down and slipped the phone back into Chloe's pocket.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her eyelashes trembling.

She had been awake the whole time. She just didn't dare to open her eyes.