Chapter 2 Shane and Linda's Emotional Standoff

Three days later, Shane arrived back in Washington.

As dusk settled, his sleek, black SUV rolled into the villa's driveway, the engine sighing into silence.

The driver stepped out and opened Shane's door.

Shane emerged, shutting the door behind him. He forestalled the driver's attempt to retrieve the luggage. "I'll take care of it," he said with a dismissive air.

Stepping into the entrance hall, he was met by the family's maid. "The Adams family patriarch was in an accident a few days ago. Madam is quite upset. She's upstairs."

Shane was already aware of the events surrounding the Adams family.

A wave of weariness washing over him, he carried his luggage upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door. He found Linda seated before her vanity, meticulously arranging its contents.

Shane dropped his bag, loosened his tie, and sank onto the bed, observing his wife.

Since their marriage, Linda had filled her time with domestic tasks – cleaning, organizing, even baking. Shane often thought that if it weren't for her striking face and enviable figure, she'd be indistinguishable from the hired help.

Silence stretched between them.

Shane, still fatigued from his business trip, grew impatient with her silence. He walked into the dressing room, grabbed his bathrobe and stepped into the shower. During his shower, he assumed Linda would have calmed down and helped him unpack his luggage, and then continue to be a gentle wife.

He finished his shower and opened the bathroom door. When he walked out of the bathroom and found that his suitcase was still in place, he felt the need to talk to her.

Shane sat on the sofa and took a magazine to read at will.

He looked up and said, "How is your father doing? About what happened that night... I've already reprimanded Secretary Esther."

His tone was casual, lacking genuine concern.

Linda paused her task, lifting her gaze to meet his reflection in the mirror.

The Shane reflected back at her possessed sharp, handsome features and an air of innate privilege.

Even a simple bathrobe seemed to drape more elegantly on him than it would on others.

Linda stared at his reflection, her eyes aching, before finally speaking in a steady voice. "Shane, I want a divorce."

Shane was visibly taken aback.

He knew Linda was upset regarding the incident on that night. Later, he knew that after the accident in the Adams family, he also asked Secretary Esther to rush to the hospital at the first time, but Linda did not accept it.

This was the first time she had defied him. Previously, she had always been so docile.

Shane turned to the side and grabbed the cigarette box from the coffee table, shook out a cigarette from it and put it on his lips, and lowered his head to light it.

A stream of smoke slowly spit out.

He said softly, "You mentioned wanting to find work a few days ago. Why... are you talking about divorce now?"

"Is Mrs. Shane bored after all this time? Do you want to experience real life?"

"Linda, look around. How many people are out there, working overtime for peanuts and having to grin and bear it? You live in a 2,000-square-meter villa, enjoying the status of Mrs. Shane. What more could you possibly want?"

His tone was sharp and indifferent.

Linda finally reached her breaking point. Her lips trembling, she gave a hollow laugh. "Mrs. Shane? Is *this* what being Mrs. Shane is like?"

She stood abruptly and dragged Shane into the dressing room, throwing open the closet doors with a loud thud.

Linda was locked out, the keys and access belonging solely to Secretary Esther.

With a self-deprecating laugh, Linda gestured towards the cabinets: "What kind of wife needs to justify every piece of jewelry to her husband's secretary? What kind of wife has to fill out forms for every penny spent? What kind of wife can't even afford a taxi? Tell me, Shane, is *this* what being Mrs. Shane is all about?"

"Yes, my family is in decline, and you toss me 100,000 dollars a month."

"But every time I take that check, I feel like some kept woman, just a reward for services rendered!"

...

Shane cut her off, his voice sharp: "Is that really what you think?"

He grasped her chin gently, his grip firm: "A kept woman who doesn't even know how to please a man? Who can barely manage a kitten's whimper? You want a divorce?... What kind of existence do you imagine for yourself, without me?"

Linda, stung by his words and grip, raised a hand to push him away...

Instantly, Shane seized her hand, his gaze fixed and cold on her bare ring finger: "Where's your wedding ring?"

"I sold it!"

Linda's voice was laced with sorrow: "So, Shane, let's just get divorced!"

The declaration felt like a monumental effort. Shane was the man she had loved for six long years. If it hadn't been for witnessing the fireworks that fateful night, perhaps she would have remained trapped in this barren marriage indefinitely.

But she *had* seen them, and she refused to waste any more time.

Perhaps divorce would be more painful than her current situation. As Shane had pointed out, she'd be forced to beg for scraps. Still, she wouldn't regret it.

Releasing his hand, Linda began to pull a suitcase out.

She began to pack.

Shane's expression was thunderous. He watched her fragile back, stunned that Linda would display such unexpected defiance, demanding a divorce without hesitation.

A surge of inexplicable anger pulsed through him.

In one swift motion, he scooped Linda up and tossed her onto the bed a few steps away.

Shane's lean frame pinned her down.

His face was inches from hers, their eyes locked, the tips of their noses almost touching. His hot, potent breath swirled between them.

After what felt like an eternity, his lips moved close to her ear, his voice a dangerous whisper: "Is this all about Maria? Is that why you're acting up? Linda, why can't you be honest? Didn't you want this life as Mrs. Shane? Now... Don't you want it anymore?"

Linda trembled beneath him.

Even now, he still believed she was responsible for that night.

Maybe it was the physical nearness, or perhaps her vulnerable state. Whatever the reason, Shane was suddenly aroused. He stared at her intently, then cupped her chin and claimed her mouth with a kiss. His hand moved to unfasten the silk pajamas she wore.

Linda was breathtakingly beautiful, her skin flawless.

Shane should have stopped at the first touch. Now he found himself utterly unable to resist. He kissed her delicate neck, pinning her hands above her head, interlacing their fingers.

He was known for his intensity in bed, often overwhelming Linda, a testament to his forceful nature.

But now, on the verge of divorce, how could they even consider this?

"No, Shane... Please, no..."

Her voice was a trembling whisper, sounding especially vulnerable in the soft bed. Her dark hair framed her face against the pillows, a sight so alluring it stirred an almost violent possessiveness.

Shane pressed against her soft, red lips, his kiss forceful and intrusive, his words laced with vulgarity: "We're still legally married. Why not? You always say no at first, but when it really matters... huh?"