As the lawyer tucked the signed divorce papers into his briefcase, a light rain fell outside the window.

Brandon Shaw sat across from me, his expression dark.


"Anna, why must you be so damn stubborn?"

"What will you have once you walk away from the Shaw family?"

My mother-in-law chimed in from beside him.


"Anna, dear, the child can be registered under your name when it's born."

"You'll remain the legitimate Mrs. Shaw."


I understood their game—in these elite family marriages, keeping the legal wife as the public face was always the preferred strategy.

But I was done playing their charade.

"That won't be necessary."

"Let someone who actually wants the title of Mrs. Shaw have it."

Brandon's face tightened with wounded pride and growing irritation.

"Anna, understand this: once you walk out that door, there's no coming back."

"Just be satisfied with being Mrs. Shaw, and I promise to keep my affairs from disturbing you."

Looking at this man I once adored with my whole heart, I now felt nothing but cold detachment.

"I don't need to come back."

I met Brandon's gaze directly.

"Just as I was willing to sacrifice everything to marry you back then."

"I, Anna Chapman, can handle whatever comes next."

Brandon froze, a flicker of panic crossing his face.

He instinctively reached for me.

I stepped away from his grasp.

After all, he was no longer the gentle, respectful college senior I had fallen for.