Chapter 2 A Wife or Not

Raine folded her arms and watched Felix with a cold, mocking smile. His chiseled face tightened, as if admitting she was his wife would somehow end his life.

But she knew the Adler family valued one thing above all else-family.

Of course, Felix never had to worry about projects. Every company wanted to work with the Morel Group. They had their fingers in everything-artificial intelligence, real estate, fashion.

Raine waited for him to say Bianca's name. The moment he did, she could file for divorce without hesitation.

He had just opened his mouth when Bianca jumped in first. "Honestly, what value can a mere housewife bring to her husband's success? Success isn't about who washes the dishes better," she said with an exaggerated eye roll.

Mrs. Adler's brows furrowed. She turned sharply toward Bianca. "Excuse me? And who exactly is this rude woman?"

Bianca's face twisted in anger, ready to snap back, but Felix's stern glare silenced her immediately.

"My apologies, Mrs. Adler. Don't mind her," Felix said quickly, pulling Bianca behind him. "She's had too much to drink-she's a bit dizzy. I'm truly sorry for her behavior-"

"No." Mrs. Adler's voice cracked through the air like a whip, laced with outrage. "As a woman who chose to build a family, I understand the labor and sacrifice that takes. Family is the foundation of Adler Holdings. And you choose to ignore that? We don't work with people who disregard our values."

Raine saw Felix's expression darken. She hadn't planned to intervene, but since she was divorcing him anyway, she might as well do one last good deed-for his grandmother's sake, if not his.

And maybe for herself. Because even though Felix had treated her like a doormat, his cold, solid house had given her the one thing she'd always wanted-safety. Ever since that rainy night when she was almost hit by a car, she'd had nightmares every night until Felix started sleeping beside her.

For all his flaws-for all his cruelty-Felix wasn't purely evil. He could be a good man too. But now, she was strong enough to stand on her own.

Raine stepped forward with a calm smile and embraced Mrs. Adler. "I'm so sorry for the delay, Mrs. Adler. Please don't take her words to heart," she said softly, gesturing toward Bianca. "She's just accompanying one of our executives. She doesn't understand the seriousness of this situation-or what true partnership really means. Of course, she'll apologize for her behavior." Raine tilted her head and gave Bianca a sweet, deadly smile. "Won't you, Bianca?"

Bianca flushed with humiliation. She opened her mouth to protest, but Felix's razor-sharp gaze froze her in place.

"Do it, Bianca," Felix ordered, his tone clipped and icy. "Or you'll be escorted out of the gala."

Bianca's jaw trembled. "She's right," she muttered through gritted teeth. "I apologize for the misunderstanding." Then, burning with shame, she slipped away.

"Glad that's cleared up," said Mr. Adler coolly. "But Mr. Morel, I must question your company's judgment-bringing such an uncultured woman to an elite event was a very poor choice. I'd advise you to raise your standards in the future."

Felix's face turned even darker, but Raine stepped in smoothly, looping her arm through his. "Of course. My husband will make sure of that," she said with poise.

"Oh my! So you're Mr. Morel's wife?" Mrs. Adler exclaimed, beaming. "Mr. Morel, you're a lucky man."

Felix's arm slid naturally around Raine's waist as he faced them. "Allow me to properly introduce my wife-Raine Morel."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Raine said evenly, extending her hand. "I truly admire your company's commitment to family values. Why don't you try some of the hors d'oeuvres at the reception? I can assure you Felix will make your next project a priority."

"Wonderful!" Mrs. Adler took her hand, delighted. "Felix, you shouldn't keep such a gem hidden away. Bring her out more often-I'm sure it'll make Morel Enterprises even stronger."

"I will," Felix said through gritted teeth. "I had no idea my wife was this impressive."

As the Adlers walked away, the spotlight once again caught Felix and Raine in its glow. He reached out to pull her close, but she gently slapped his hand away.

"Drop the act," Raine said in a low, icy tone. "I'll be waiting at home. We still have unfinished business."

Then she turned and walked away-steady steps, spine straight-leaving him standing alone.

Around them, whispers began to ripple through the crowd-

"Oh my God, that's Mr. Morel's wife."

"We were just saying she was plain. She's actually gorgeous-and a hell of a lot smarter than Bianca."

Raine didn't look back to see Felix's face. She strode out of the hall, already thinking about packing her bags.

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It was already past midnight. Raine's suitcase sat neatly in the front hall, waiting.

She was still waiting for Felix.She stood before the tall windows of the house, gazing across at a wedding celebration in the neighboring building.

The carefree joy she saw made her ache. Once upon a time, she had yearned for that kind of happiness. In her youth, she had believed her marriage would be like that. She had been wrong-so terribly, fatally wrong.

Her soft sigh fogged the glass.

"Explain to me what you meant by that earlier."

She turned. Felix stood there, brow furrowed.

"Good. I've been waiting for you to come back," Wren replied.

His anger surged as he stalked toward her, towering above her. She lifted her chin defiantly. "You enjoy humiliating me, don't you?"

"You're pathetic," she sneered. She could hardly believe she had once loved this man. Years of her life-wasted.

She shoved a folder against his chest, stepping back, suffocated by the stench of alcohol clinging to him. Suffocated, just as this house had always suffocated her.

Felix scowled down at the papers.

"What is this?" He blinked at the words.

"Divorce papers."

"And where exactly do you think you'll go after the divorce?" Felix asked with contempt.

"Have you forgotten what you were when Grandmother took you in? You had nothing," he added, raking her with a scornful look.

At the news, his face betrayed not a flicker of surprise-only the raw hatred he'd always harbored for her. After all, the grandmother who had arranged their marriage was gone now, dead a year. If she truly suffocated him so badly, why had he never mentioned divorce first?

"Drop the act, Felix. Don't pretend you care where I end up. You should throw yourself a party," she said with a cold smile. "Consider this my parting gift to you. Freedom. Now you can run to your darling Bianca-or Jessica-or whatever her name is this week."

Her eyes flicked to the papers in his hand. "Sign them quickly. Let's not waste any more time."

"I'd be delighted," Felix said through clenched teeth. "I'm thrilled to finally be rid of you, Raine." His eyes were bloodshot.

Raine glanced at the freshly signed papers and let out a faint smile. "Me too. I'm glad we finally agree on something."

Before Felix could fire back, she grabbed her suitcase and walked out.For some reason, even the air smelled fresher. It was as if a muscle that had been clenched for years had finally loosened.

She slid into her car, tossing the envelope with the final documents onto the back seat beside her two suitcases.

Now what?

For the next few days, a motel would suffice while she searched for an affordable apartment. She had a small nest egg saved from her time helping Felix's grandmother. Not much, but enough to cover her basic needs.

She turned the ignition. The car sputtered with a sickly cough.

"Not now," she muttered, gripping the wheel. She tried again-nothing.

Just as she debated whether to call a mechanic, she noticed a sleek luxury car pulling in behind her. A tall figure stepped out. Wren's breath caught when she saw his face. Silver hair did nothing to dull his handsomeness-if anything, it made him more magnetic.

"Omar?" she asked uncertainly. As the figure drew closer, her heart pounded. Memories of her foolish infatuation with him came rushing back-the stupid things she had done, and the look of disgust in his eyes when he had rejected her.

Her expression hardened. She reached to close the window.

But Omar's strong arm stopped it, blocking her.

"Long time no see, Re."

"Of course," Omar went on, flashing that gentleman's smile she had once adored. He winked. "You're still our most distinguished heiress."