Chapter 4

Sierra sipped her wine, her gaze lingering on me.

"Sorry, I lost a game of truth or dare. They gave me two choices: kiss the band's lead singer, or call out the woman Marcus has been seeing."

"Marcus didn't want me kissing anyone else, so he told me to bring you here. You can go now."

She sounded apologetic, but I heard the triumph underneath.

I looked at Marcus.

He avoided my eyes, completely silent.

So, to them, I was the other woman.

I almost laughed. Before I could say a word, Sierra tilted her head, proudly showing off a heavy gold necklace.

I walked over, grabbed the chain, and snapped the clasp open.

"You frumpy bitch! What are you doing?" she shrieked, scrambling to grab it.

I dropped the necklace into my bag, my expression cold.

"This was bought with marital assets. I'm taking back what partly belongs to me."

My lawyer had already told me I could reclaim the diamonds, too.

Sierra's face darkened.

"Stealing my personal property in public? I'll have you arrested."

"Should I dial the police for you?" I shot back, unfazed.

Marcus, seeing that I was serious, snatched my phone away.

"Stop causing a scene. Just go home."

The sheer panic on his face made my heart sink.

His friends started whispering among themselves, questioning who the real other woman actually was.

Sierra's eyes welled with tears. She looked pleadingly at Marcus.

"You said it yourself—the one who isn't loved is the other woman. Tell them Clara is the side chick!"

Marcus wiped her tears and turned to me, his expression icy.

"Enough! Every time you show up, you ruin everything!"

He took Sierra's hand and announced to the crowd,

"Everyone, this is Sierra—my wife. The woman I love."

The crowd cheered.

"Kiss her, Marcus!"

Without hesitation, he cupped Sierra's face and kissed her deeply.

She flushed, then turned to smirk at me.

"See? That marriage certificate means absolutely nothing. His heart, his money, his love—I'm taking everything from you."

I couldn't help myself. I slapped her.

She covered her cheek, whining to Marcus,

"Honey, she hit me."

Marcus's face darkened. He kicked me hard in the stomach.

My C-section wound tore open, and I collapsed to the ground.

He gripped my chin, snarling,

"Apologize to her. Now."

I glared at him, biting my lip.

"Never."

He kicked me again, yelling,

"You just don't learn, do you? I'll teach you a lesson today!"

Blow after blow landed. Blood began to soak through my clothes.

Curled on the ground, pale and shaking, I used my last bit of strength to look up at him.

"Marcus… I want a divorce."

Surprise flickered in his eyes, and his lips moved.

I didn't hear what he said—everything went black.