The All-Purpose Wife Chapter 2

I realized I could block the women around him physically, but I couldn't stop online threats.

To save trouble, I created a perfect online persona to keep his standards high so he wouldn't look at anyone else.

He thought I was a once-in-a-lifetime soulmate.

I knew every book he read, every movie he watched, every place he visited. Our hobbies and values matched perfectly.

I've studied Julian for so long. This was easy for me.

Even my username was designed to match his.

Thanks to this identity, he told me everything, saving me a lot of trouble.

"She gets jealous. Last time at the manor, a neighbor's sister I played with as a kid asked for my number. My wife glared her away."

Oh god. That woman just rented the mansion next door. She's three years older than him and clearly hunting him. Only Julian would believe she's just a "neighbor's sister."

"Every time we eat, she steals glances at me. She thinks I don't see it."

Okay, that's on me. I'm a perfectionist with my cooking. Every time Julian eats my food, I can't help but check his reaction. I'll reflect on that.

"Recently, I had an accident. She stayed by my bedside in the hospital for a day and a night."

I fell silent.

I saved him from the kidnappers and got injured myself. We were treated in the same hospital, and he saw me.

To cover my tracks, I lied and said I had been watching over him the whole time.

"It seems your wife really loves you," I typed, feeling nauseous.

Whatever he wants to think. Step one of playing the perfect online friend: Unconditional validation.

Julian replied quickly: "I'm just worried. She loves me so much, even if I ask for a divorce, she won't agree."

"You never know until you try. Maybe she'll agree immediately."

"SpongeBob, you're adorably naive. Have you never been in a relationship?"

...

Thinking about the expression on Julian's face as he typed that gave me goosebumps.

"Many women see love as their whole life. They won't give up easily."

I typed furiously: "Idiot. You don't know women. Stop talking nonsense."

This was how we interacted online.

The harder I roasted him, the happier he was.

He said this was the kind of friend he wanted.

"What if?"

My heart started to race.

After the kidnapping, Grandfather Sterling promised to send me abroad in two months.

I was planning to find a way to divorce Julian. If he brought it up first, that would be perfect.

"Want to make a bet?"

"Bet on what?"

"If she agrees to divorce, I'll give you any gift you want. If she refuses, can I meet you?"

I stared at the last few words.

Julian's next message came through.

"No one understands me better than you. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, babe."

My hand shook.

What does he mean? SpongeBob is SpongeBob. Why "babe"?

Is he doing this on purpose?

I thought for a moment and typed "Okay."

I was definitely going to agree to the divorce. Then we'd part ways, and all my identities would vanish from his life.

I didn't care what he was thinking.

As for the gift... I needed to think about what to fleece him for as a parting gift.

Julian moved fast. Three days later, divorce papers were placed in front of me.

"The compensation is clearly outlined. Take a look. If you have other demands, speak up."

He looked calm, fully prepared.

The alimony was tempting, but I'd just return it to Grandfather Sterling anyway.

I glanced at it briefly, frowned, and wiped the corner of my eye.

Seeing my expression, Julian spoke as if he expected this.

"Crying is useless. I won't change my mind. Instead of being sad, think about what else you want."

"Oh, no. An eyelash fell in my eye."

I finished wiping my eye and held out my hand.

"Pen?"

Julian froze.

It took him a while to speak.

"You agree?"

He tapped his long fingers on the desk, sneering. "If you're trying to act cool to get my attention, save it. I'm serious."

Impatiently, I took a pen from the drawer myself.

Just as I was about to sign, Grandfather Sterling called. I stepped away to answer.

"Chloe, this wasn't a normal kidnapping. Someone was pulling the strings. I need you to find out who. After the investigation is closed, I will personally arrange your divorce."

When I put the pen down, I clearly saw the contempt in Julian's eyes.

"If you don't agree, why pretend to be so free and easy just now? Such hypocrisy."

I grabbed my dress, holding back an eye roll.

"I can't divorce right now."

"Save it. I will get this divorce." Julian pushed the papers toward me. "Tell me your demands soon. Signing is good for both of us. Don't make me hate you more."

He got up and left. I saw him type something on his phone.

My alt account pinged.

"SpongeBob, looks like you need to schedule a time to meet me."