The Silent Wife’s Million Dollar Revenge Chapter 2

By the time Rhys finished his meeting, I had completed my yoga routine, ironed a few items, and was sitting on the balcony arranging flowers. I looked as if nothing had happened.

He went to change and, finding his closet empty, called out to me from the dressing room, out of habit.

“Honey, where are my shirts?”

I didn't turn around. “They’re all packed in the suitcases. If you don’t mind, wear yesterday’s. It’s going to be thrown out soon anyway.”

I was met with a long, heavy silence.

When Rhys emerged, he saw the five large suitcases stacked by the entryway. He sat down beside me and tapped the divorce agreement with his fingertip.

“I’ll transfer $20 million of the settlement now; the rest will be in installments…”

I cut him off. “That won’t be necessary. Let’s finalize it all at once.”

“I doubt she wants you to maintain any contact with me.”

Rhys’s expression was one of confusion. “Our daughter isn’t yours alone. I have a responsibility to be involved in her life.”

“I know I’m wrong, and I’m willing to compensate, but don’t use Willow as leverage.”

I put down the pruning shears and looked Rhys squarely in the eye.

“Cheating was your choice. Your compensation and support are a given. Considering your net worth, the house and cars are not a greedy request.”

“Willow has always had me by her side. She is emotionally sensitive and needs attention. How much energy can you dedicate to her during your new relationship? Involvement isn’t just about money; it requires time and patience.”

Rhys was rendered speechless. After a moment, he said, “In any case, I won’t buy out my relationship with my daughter for $30 million.”

I reached out and flipped the agreement open. “$30 million is the settlement and support. If you have extra emotional needs, you can transfer money to her account; I will open one specifically for her.”

Rhys suddenly scoffed. “Audrey, I never knew you cared so much about money. Everything you say is about money.”

“What else? Is loving you proving useful?”

Rhys was silenced. His face darkened, and he quickly signed the divorce agreement. He arranged for us to file the petition tomorrow.

Then, he called a car service.

I finished arranging the flowers and went to bed.

He was gone when I woke up early.

Willow burst out of her room and hugged me, excitedly telling me about her dream of going to Disneyland. As she spoke, I carefully told her that Daddy was busy with a project and might be traveling for a while.

Unusually, she didn't throw a fit. Instead, she video-called him and asked, "Daddy, when are you coming home?"

“I’ll be busy for a while.”

She simply mumbled, "Okay," and pursed her lips. "It's fine. Having Mommy with me is enough."

I crumbled immediately, tears welling up, and I used the excuse of tidying the kitchen to hide them.

My agreement to the divorce stemmed from pain, but mostly from guilt toward my daughter—guilt over not being able to give her a complete home. Yet, I knew that this brokenness was not my fault.

After dropping Willow off at school, Rhys and I went to file the application. The cooling-off period was 30 days, after which we could finalize the divorce.

Back in the car, I drew a star on the sticky note, marking the day.

Divorce Countdown: 30 days.