Chapter 2 Let's Get A Divorce

Yvonne's chest constricted with unbearable pain as she desperately grasped Shane's leg. "Shane, please," she said through trembling lips, "help me appeal to the prison authorities. My grandmother has passed away, and I need to handle her funeral arrangements. I can't go back now."

Shane's features hardened into a disapproving frown. "Prison regulations aren't something we can simply circumvent with money. Your grief is understandable, but you need to think rationally before you speak."

"Think rationally?" Yvonne gazed up at him, her voice quavering with emotion. "For eleven months, I've been imprisoned, and four times you've arranged my temporary release to donate blood for Jayde-all by using your financial influence. Why is this time different?"

"The circumstances aren't comparable," Shane replied coldly.

"How can you say that?" Raw anguish seeped through Yvonne's voice as she continued her plea. "I understand Jayde holds the highest place in your heart, but my grandmother just passed away. She raised me, yet I couldn't be there in her final moments. I must accompany her on this last journey-I can't bear the thought of her spirit departing alone. Shane, I am begging you; just do this one thing for me."

"You still have an uncle, don't you? I'll help and ensure your grandmother receives an honorable funeral," Shane said.

"That's not what this is about." Tears coursed down Yvonne's cheeks unchecked. "My grandmother is already gone. A lavish funeral means nothing now. I just want to bid her farewell in person. If you grant me this, I swear I'll donate blood for Jayde whenever necessary."

Shane's gaze turned glacial as he looked down at her. "Are you treating blood donation as some kind of bargaining tool? This is your obligation to Jayde. If not for your actions, she wouldn't be confined to a wheelchair."

Yvonne squeezed her eyes shut. She could feel Shane's words piercing her heart.

Jayde's incident had happened a year ago. She had tumbled down the stairs, suffering spinal injuries that had left her paralyzed below the waist. She had accused Yvonne of pushing her down the stairs.

The Brooks family unanimously condemned Yvonne. Without surveillance footage or witnesses to clear her name, Yvonne stood defenseless against the accusations.

Shane, her husband, had delivered the ultimatum: "Yvonne, Jayde's suffering is immeasurable. Legal consequences are necessary considering what you have done to her. Such an assault typically carries three to ten years, but Jayde's compassion moves her to request only one."

The irony of it all had left Yvonne feeling bitter.

She had initially refused to go to prison, demanding police intervention.

But Jayde had produced damning evidence-a video showing Yvonne pushing her down the stairs.

The collective revulsion in the Brooks family members' eyes as they watched that video still haunted Yvonne.

It was as if they felt even breathing the same air as her was repulsive.

***

Shane's bodyguards eventually escorted Yvonne back to her prison cell.

The combination of severe blood loss and overwhelming grief left Yvonne bedridden for two days, her body too weak to rise.

On the third day, fate dealt another cruel blow. In the prison's recreation room, the television broadcasted Jayde's extravagant birthday celebration.

The media were saying that the Brooks Group's CEO Shane had spent a hundred million in celebrating Jayde's birthday.

The screen captured Jayde in her wheelchair, her natural beauty undimmed by her condition.

Shane hovered attentively at her side, his expression radiating tenderness and devotion.

Together, they looked really good together, like a match made in heaven.

Fresh tears carved silent paths down Yvonne's cheeks as the reality struck her.

While her grandmother Maggie was being laid to rest today, Shane-who had promised to assist with the funeral arrangements-was instead orchestrating an elaborate celebration for Jayde.

In that moment of crushing clarity, Yvonne finally grasped the bitter truth: Shane's heart held no love for her. No sacrifice she made would ever be enough to change that.

Yvonne had a secret-she had loved Shane for ten years.

Shane had once only existed in a realm far beyond her reach, while she remained just another face in the crowd, their paths never meant to intersect.

Fate had intervened three years ago through a devastating car accident that had left Shane comatose.

The Brooks family had exhausted every medical resource, consulting countless renowned physicians without success.

It was Shane's grandmother, Lydia Brooks, who turned to superstitious beliefs. She suggested that marriage might bring the fortune needed to restore Shane's health.

Fate had taken another unexpected turn when Jayde, Shane's betrothed, had suddenly been kidnapped.

With the wedding date looming, Lydia had desperately searched for another bride with a compatible horoscope. She had then discovered Yvonne, who had been working part-time as a caregiver for the Brooks family at that time.

Marrying Shane came with a precious opportunity for Yvonne-Yvonne's ailing grandmother would receive treatment at the hospital under the Brooks Group.

The hospital was one of the top hospitals in Zlamsas. Ordinary people couldn't afford to get treatment there.

Yvonne had agreed to the marriage without hesitation, but her reasons extended beyond merely seeking top-notch medical care for her grandmother.

For seven years, she had harbored an unspoken love for Shane. She had been willing to tend to him even if he would never emerge from his coma.

A month after the marriage, Shane had miraculously awakened.

His fury upon discovering the reason for his marriage to Yvonne had led to immediate demands for divorce.

Yet, these demands had ceased abruptly when he had discovered Yvonne shared Jayde's blood type.

From that moment forward, Yvonne had become nothing more than Jayde's living blood bank.

Determined to make Shane happy, Yvonne had shouldered this burden silently.

For two years, she had devoted herself to caring for Shane and his family, striving to embody the perfect wife-until Jayde's false accusation had led to her imprisonment.

Ten years-she had loved Shane for ten years.

She had given Shane her purest love and most selfless devotion, but what did she get in return?

Shane only had eyes for Jayde, his heart perpetually closed to her.

Perhaps she had been naive to hope Shane might one day even care about her a little bit.

***

Rain poured from leaden skies the day of Yvonne's release from prison.

No one had come to pick her up. After a lengthy journey on multiple buses, she arrived at Serenity Villa, Shane's residence, her clothes clinging to her because of the rain.

The fingerprint lock granted her entry, and she found Shane descending the staircase when she entered, his appearance impeccable in stark contrast to her disheveled state.

Surprise flickered across Shane's features when he saw her. "Why are you here?" he asked.

Yvonne's fingers trembled as she replied, "I was released today."

"Ah, I forgot." Shane paused briefly before her. "Get some rest. I'm heading out now."

"Shane," Yvonne suddenly called out. "I need to talk to you about something."

Shane glanced impatiently at his watch. "We can talk when I return."

As Shane moved past Yvonne, Yvonne grasped his sleeve to stop him. "It won't take long."

Shane halted reluctantly, irritation evident in his expression. "Make it quick."

Yvonne studied his perfect profile, a slight smile on her face. "Shane, let's get a divorce," she said, her tone resolute.

Shane's confusion was palpable as he turned to face her. "You want a divorce because I didn't pick you up from prison?"

"This isn't about today." Yvonne's smile didn't waver. "I genuinely want a divorce. We can handle the paperwork when you're free."

"Yvonne, I don't have time for your antics right now." Shane's expression darkened as he shook off her hand. "You should take a shower and clear your head. You are not thinking straight."

After Shane's departure, Yvonne stood motionless, lost in thought.

Shane thought she was not thinking straight.

But that was not true. In fact, her mind had never been clearer.

***

Upstairs, Yvonne drew a bath and powered on her fully charged phone.

A month's worth of WhatsApp messages awaited her-none from Shane.

As she absently scrolled through her feed, she suddenly froze upon seeing something.

Jayde had just posted something. "True love is shown through enduring companionship."

The accompanying photo showed her beaming at the camera while Shane peeled an apple beside her, the perfect picture of devotion.