Chapter 2

"Willow, say that again?"

Nikolas's voice was icy.

I repeated, word by word. "I said, I'm taking back everything that belongs to me. Including this company, the mansion, and that custom suit you're wearing."

His chest heaved violently.

"On what grounds?"

"Because I'm the majority shareholder of Timeless Elegance."

Timeless Elegance was the high-end fashion brand we built together.

I was in charge of design and craftsmanship; he handled operations and networking.

I preferred quiet, hated the spotlight, so for all these years, he was always the one out front as the face of Timeless Elegance.

The world knew Nikolas as the young, self-made genius. Nobody knew about the woman behind him.

Even less did they know that the true foundation of Timeless Elegance was me.

"Willow, don't push your luck,"

Nikolas's patience ran out.

"Without me, what good are you with a pile of rags? I'm the one who brought to Timeless Elegance where it is today! I made you, and I can break you just as easily. You think I can't make it without you?"

I looked at his face, twisted with anger, and it felt unfamiliar.

Ten years ago, he held my hand in our shabby rented apartment, his eyes shining.

"Willow, believe me. Someday, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world. I'll get your designs on the biggest stage."

Ten years later, the biggest stage had arrived, but the woman by his side had changed.

I'd become the unpresentable housewife at home.

"Nikolas, I want a divorce."

I said it calmly. My heart was strangely still.

He stared, stunned.

Lydia stopped her fake sobbing and watched us.

"Divorce?"

Nikolas laughed like it was a joke.

"Willow, are you out of your mind? What do you have without me? You can't even support yourself!"

"I don't need you to support me."

I took out my phone and played a recording.

It was a conversation from a few days ago.

"Honey, the company's IPO celebration is next week. Which dress should I wear?"

"Why would you go? That scene isn't for you. Just stay home."

"But..."

"Enough! You are just an old ball and chain. Do you want to embarrass me? Stay put at home!"

The recording ended. Silence filled the room.

Nikolas's face blanched, then became a furious crimson.

"You... you recorded me!"

I turned off my phone. "I've already sent it to my lawyer. Nikolas, with your infidelity and malicious asset transfer, it's more than enough to make sure you walk away with nothing."

"How dare you!"

He lunged at me, trying to grab my phone.

I saw it coming and sidestepped.

He missed, slamming into the wall.

"Willow!"

He roared, cornered.

I pulled the door open. The guests outside hadn't fully dispersed. Seeing us, they strained their necks for a better look.

Ignoring their stares, I walked straight through the crowd and left.

I went back to the house I shared with Nikolas.

It was a big villa where we'd lived for five years.

The fingerprint lock prompted me that verification failed.

I was locked out.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Nikolas.

"Want to get in? You can, if you get on your knees and beg me."

Attached was a picture.

In it, Lydia was wearing my pajamas, lying on our bed, smiling, flashing a peace sign at me.

My stomach churned.

I pushed down the nausea and deleted the photo.

He thought this would make me cave?

How naïve.

I turned, hailed a cab, and went to a five-star hotel downtown.

I checked into the best suite using my own ID.

Soaking in the bathtub, the warm water enveloped my body, and I finally felt like I was alive again.

The next morning, I woke up.

My first move was to call Todd Larson, the veteran Head of Craftsmanship at Timeless Elegance.

"Todd, it's Willow."

"Ms. Cooper!"

The voice on the other end of the line sounded a little emotional.

"We heard about last night. Nikolas has no shame! How are you holding up?"

Todd was my father's old subordinate and had watched me grow up.

When I used my parents' inheritance to start Timeless Elegance, he was the first to bring his entire team to support me.

Without Todd and his crew, Timeless Elegance would have no soul.

"I'm fine, Todd."

I composed myself.

"I need to call an emergency shareholders' meeting and reorganize the board of directors. I need your support."

"Of course! Ms. Cooper, you just say the word. We old-timers have your back! But..."

Todd hesitated.

"Nikolas gathered some of the ops shareholders last night. Seems they're plotting to dilute your shares. He also froze the company accounts. Says he's investigating last night's technical error and has suspended all department work."

I gave a cold laugh.

He moved fast.

He was trying to gut the company and strip my power before I could react.

"In his dreams. Todd, I need you to do something for me."

I lowered my voice and gave him a few quick instructions over the phone.

Hanging up, I looked out at the bright morning sun, my eyes turning cold.

You thought you had won, Nikolas?

Let's see about that.