Chapter 3 Determined To Get A Divorce

Jorge crouched down, his stern face softening as he looked at Rebecca.

"Rebecca, are you hurt?" he asked.

Across the room, Mia threw a sharp look at Averie, not missing a chance to stir up trouble. "Jorge, your housekeeper is out of control. She actually shoved your future wife. I bet she's jealous of my sister. There's no doubt she did it on purpose. She's downright malicious!"

Rebecca lifted her gaze, her expression gentle. "Jorge, please don't blame Ms. Peters for this. I think she's just upset today. I understand how she feels, truly."

A worried look crossed Jorge's face. "You're too kind for your own good, Rebecca."

He gently scooped her up and gave Averie a cold glare. "Averie, I never expected you to do something like this. I'm really disappointed in you."

Without saying another word, he carried Rebecca upstairs, never once glancing back.

Averie longed to defend herself, to explain everything, but the sting of Jorge's icy reaction lodged in her chest, leaving her unable to speak.

Not far off, Mia's eyes narrowed into a hateful glare toward Averie.

"Shameless bitch!"

Averie caught the insult, her eyes reflecting shock.

After steadying herself, she fixed Mia with a sardonic smile. "Maybe you should ask your sister who's really the shameless one here."

Without waiting for a reply, she picked up her suitcase and walked out of the Hardy Estate. No matter how many insults Mia hurled after her, she never once looked back.

Rain battered the city that night, turning the streets into rivers beneath a stormy sky.

Averie wandered aimlessly, allowing the rain to hide her tears as it soaked every inch of her skin.

Eventually, her feet led her to a run-down apartment complex-the same place her parents had once called home, long before they'd struck it rich.

After all these years, she had ended up right back here.

Sleep proved impossible for her. By dawn, she lay wide awake until her phone broke the silence.

The call was from her best friend, Lainey Holt.

"Averie, check the news right now! You have to see it. That jerk and his mistress have no shame at all!"

Averie's fingers shook at that, nerves sending a chill through her.

She quickly found the news about Jorge and Rebecca.

"The Hardy Group's CEO Jorge Hardy Proposes to Star Designer Rebecca Morley-A Sky Full of Fireworks to Celebrate."

The words hit Averie like a punch.

She and Jorge hadn't gotten a divorce yet, but he had already proposed to Rebecca?

Averie clicked on the photos in the news.

They captured the dazzling celebration, but Averie's attention snapped to the bursts of fireworks that lit up the sky behind them.

A dull ache gnawed at her chest.

Those dazzling fireworks were the ones she had designed for her wedding with Jorge.

But now, Jorge had used them to propose to another woman.

He had never truly cared about her.

On the other end of the line, Lainey's outrage boiled over. "Averie, you're Jorge's wife! The wedding next month is supposed to reveal your identity to everyone. How did that bitch Rebecca suddenly take your place?"

Hearing that shattered Averie, and tears poured down her cheeks. "Lainey, I can't do this anymore. I'm divorcing Jorge."

Lainey's anger sharpened. "What? Are you serious? Is Jorge forcing you out just to give Rebecca your spot? Has he been having an affair with her all along?"

Averie pressed her lips together for a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Lainey."

Truthfully, she didn't know how far Jorge and Rebecca's relationship had gone.

She continued, "But I don't want to know anymore. Once I divorce Jorge, I'll finally be able to live for myself. I'm done compromising and chasing after someone who doesn't even care about me."

"Averie, the biggest fireworks designing competition in Crurville is coming up. You have to participate in it! I'll put your name down myself. You are meant for greatness, not for playing housekeeper for Jorge. It's time you chase your own dreams."

Lainey spoke earnestly, not wanting to watch her best friend give up on her dreams for a man.

"Alright," Averie replied without hesitation.

Lainey was caught completely off guard by the quick agreement. "Wait, did you just agree? Are you serious?"

Averie said, "Yes."

With a wide grin, Lainey exclaimed, "That's amazing! Just wait, Averie. When you show everyone what you can do, Jorge will wish he had never let you go."

They talked for hours, Lainey venting nonstop about what a jerk Jorge had been.

"He'll get what's coming to him, trust me..."

After the call ended, Averie found herself drawn to the news again.

Scrolling through the comments, she felt each word like a needle piercing her heart.

"Mr. Hardy and Rebecca look like they belong together; what a gorgeous couple!"

"Jorge is wealthy, charming, and clearly adores her. Rebecca must be the luckiest woman alive!"

"Wish I could trade places with her. He treats her like royalty!"

One tear after another slid from Averie's cheeks to her phone screen.

Just then, a text message from Jorge popped up.

"Averie, stop being unreasonable. Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow for the divorce. I'll transfer five hundred million dollars to your account as compensation."

Averie brushed her tears away, read his message, and typed her answer.

"Okay."