He could walk into any bank with our marriage certificate and borrow a million dollars. Spend every cent. And because we were legally married, the debt would be ours. Mine to shoulder whether I'd touched a dime of it or not.

The thought made my stomach turn—bile and helplessness and rage all churning together.

After he left, the softness bled out of my eyes.

Divorce. That's the only thing that matters now.

I tried everything. Reasoned with him. Begged. Even cooked an elaborate dinner just to get him in a good enough mood to discuss terms.

Warren refused. Every single time.

Until one night, three months later.

My stomach was in knots—stress, probably, or maybe I'd finally developed an ulcer from swallowing my anger. I went to the hospital for something to settle it.

That's when I saw them.

Warren, cradling Gladys in his arms, rushing through the emergency room doors like the world was ending.

I hung back. Listened.

The doctor's voice carried through the thin curtain. "Ruptured corpus luteum."

Then, a weary sigh. "You two need to be more careful. I understand you're newlyweds, but this kind of... enthusiasm can be dangerous."

Warren rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish as a schoolboy caught behind the bleachers.

"Sorry, Doc. We'll be more careful next time."

Warren cradled Gladys in his arms, his gaze dripping with affection. They looked every bit the lovestruck couple.

"Warren, when are you going to divorce that old hag at home?"

"You've said yourself your marriage is loveless. You've wanted out for ages, and I'm the one you really love. I just want us to be together—officially."

Something flickered behind Warren's eyes. Evasion.

"Just... give it a little more time. That woman refuses to agree—"

"Who says I don't agree?"

I stepped forward, a flawless smile fixed on my face.

"I've always been willing, Warren."

Both of them went rigid, their expressions curdling as they looked up at me.

Warren's jaw clenched. "Jade! Who told you to come here? What the hell do you want?"

I held out the divorce papers, the picture of innocence.

"Your little girlfriend is practically begging you to sign. Why are you still dragging your feet?"

I tilted my head. "One signature, and you're both free. You could be at the City Hall Registry Office by this afternoon."

Gladys's eyes lit up. She tugged at Warren's arm. "Warren!"