Chapter 3

Blake watched her, a storm of emotions crossing his face. He expected tears, screaming, another one of her dramatic scenes. But her quiet detachment unnerved him. He hated it. He wanted her to fight, to beg, to show that she still cared. Her silence was a rejection he couldn't stand. He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him, leaving her alone with the pieces of her past.

The next day, Chloe felt a strange sense of purpose. She had ten days. Ten days to cut every tie that bound her to this miserable life. There was one last piece of her old self she needed to deal with.

Under the pseudonym "Aria," Chloe was the author of a wildly popular romance novel. It was a story of a fierce, passionate woman who relentlessly pursued a cold, distant man, eventually winning his love. It was her fantasy, the life she wished she had with Blake, written down on paper. It was her only escape.

She went to the publishing house to discuss the final printing of her book. As she walked into the lobby, she froze. Standing by the main desk, talking to the editor, were Blake and Amelia.

Chloe's editor, a man named Mr. Davis, saw her and waved her over, a nervous smile on his face. "Aria! What a surprise to see you here."

Blake's head snapped in her direction. His eyes narrowed when he saw her. Amelia, however, gave her a sweet, innocent smile.

"Chloe, what are you doing here?" Amelia asked, her voice full of fake surprise. "Blake was just telling me the most wonderful news. He's bought the rights to your favorite novel, 'The Heart's Pursuit.' He's going to have it adapted into a play, just for me!"

Chloe felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Her novel. Her story. Blake had bought it, not knowing she was the author, and was going to turn it into a grand romantic gesture for Amelia. The irony was so thick she could barely breathe.

Blake looked at Chloe with pure disgust. Amelia's words had confirmed his suspicions. "Are you stalking me now?" he hissed, grabbing her arm. "Is this another one of your games? Can't you do something productive with your life instead of following me around like a lost puppy?"

His words were like thunder, echoing in the quiet lobby. People were starting to stare.

That was it. That was the final push she needed. Chloe looked him straight in the eye, her voice clear and steady.

"Blake Harrison," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let's get a divorce."

The entire lobby went silent. Blake's face went from anger to shock. He looked at her as if he had never seen her before. Divorce? She was the one who had clung to this marriage, who had begged him not to leave, who had endured his coldness and cruelty for three years.

For a moment, he was speechless. Then, a dark, possessive look entered his eyes.

"No," he said, his voice a low growl. "Never. You wanted this marriage, Chloe. You fought for it. Now you're stuck in it. I will never let you go. You will remain Mrs. Harrison until the day you die, even if we hate each other for the rest of our lives."

He thought it was a threat, a way to keep her trapped. But for Chloe, his words were just another chain she needed to break.

He chose Amelia. Of course, he did. He always chose Amelia. He gently led his beloved away, leaving Chloe standing alone as a storm began to brew outside. Rain started to fall, blurring the city lights. It mirrored the storm that had raged inside her for so long, a storm that was finally starting to calm.

She watched them go, two perfect figures in white disappearing into the rain. She didn't feel jealousy anymore. She just felt tired.

Chloe turned and walked back into the editor's office. "Mr. Davis," she said, her voice firm. "I've decided to change the ending of my novel."

Mr. Davis looked surprised. "But the book is already a bestseller! The fans love the happy ending."

"I don't," Chloe said simply. "In the new ending, the woman leaves him. She realizes he will never love her, and she chooses to be free."

It was her story. And now, she would finally give it the ending it deserved. The ending she deserved.