Chapter 2

I stood there for a long time, the echo of the closing door bouncing off the cold marble floors. I was his wife, but I was less important than his cousin's celebratory dinner.

A desperate, foolish part of me still wanted to try. I followed him out, my steps unsteady. He was just getting into his sleek black car.

"Liam!"

He turned, his expression annoyed. The engine was already humming.

"What is it, Hailey? I'm late."

I walked closer, stopping a few feet from his open car door. "I'm not playing games. I'm sick."

He laughed, a short, harsh sound. "You're always sick with something. A headache, a stomachache. Anything to get attention."

He leaned against the car, his arms crossed. He looked perfect, a ruthless Nashville executive in his expensive suit.

"You've been pulling these stunts for three years," he said, his voice dropping to a low, menacing tone. "Ever since you drugged me and trapped me in this marriage. You think I've forgotten?"

The old accusation felt like a physical blow. It was the foundation of his hatred for me, a lie I could never undo.

"That's not what happened," I whispered.

"Save it," he snapped. "I know exactly what happened. You ruined my life. You destroyed my relationship with Savannah."

"Liam, I have cancer," I blurted out, the words tasting like ash. "I need you to sign the forms for my treatment."

He stared at me for a long, silent moment. I saw a flicker of something in his eyes-not belief, but calculation. He thought it was my most elaborate lie yet.

"Cancer," he repeated, his voice flat. "That's a new one. You're getting creative."

He pushed himself off the car and slid into the driver's seat.

"I'm not signing anything," he said, looking straight ahead. "Find a new way to get my attention."

He slammed the door, and the car sped away, leaving me standing alone in the driveway.