Chapter 2

Sebastian flicked a glance at Jasper Kane, his voice casual, almost amused. But beneath that lazy tone was an unshakable sense of control.

“Tsk. Watch your mouth. No manners at all.”

He tilted his head, smoke curling from his lips.

“Clara knows how to behave. She sees the bigger picture. What do you know?”

Jasper immediately raised both hands in mock surrender, the same mischievous grin plastered across his face.

“Just messing around, man. Our Clara’s not the petty type, right? No way she’d take offense at a joke.”

He turned toward me, still grinning.

“Right, Clara? We’ve known each other forever. You know exactly what kind of idiot I am.”

Sebastian took another drag from his cigarette, then lazily pointed in Jasper’s direction with two fingers.

“Enough. Apologize to her.”

Jasper spun toward me dramatically, drawing out his words with mock regret.

“At once, madam. My deepest apologies! My mouth runs faster than my brain. You’re far too gracious to hold it against me.”

I watched their little performance unfold.

Watched Sebastian behind that wall of smoke, looking smug and perfectly in control—as if nothing could ever slip out of his grasp.

But inside, my chest was just blank ice. Cold. Still. Not even a ripple.

I didn’t answer Jasper. Didn’t even look at Sebastian.

I simply pushed the signed agreement across the table toward him, then picked up my purse.

“I’m heading home,” I said quietly.

Sebastian seemed pleased with my “sensible” reaction. He gave a small nod.

“Mm. I might not be back for dinner. Don’t wait up.”

I didn’t pause. I turned and walked out of the smoky bar, away from the fake smiles and the suffocating stench of alcohol.

Behind me, their voices returned—lower now, but no less cruel.

“Seriously, Seb, your wife’s just… wow.”

“She signed the divorce papers without blinking. Did you see that? Not even a twitch.”

“Bet if you told her to walk east, she wouldn’t dare take a step west.”

Then came Sebastian’s easy, self-satisfied voice. Slightly hoarse from the smoke, but smooth as ever.

“What, jealous?”

“Hell yeah! Where do you find a wife that obedient these days?”

Jasper gave a strange little laugh.

“But honestly… her reaction was almost creepy.”

“She signed that fast? So calm? Maybe she’s hiding something.”

Sebastian let out a quiet chuckle, laced with mockery.

“What could she possibly be hiding? You watch too many movies.”

“You never know!”

Jasper sounded suddenly inspired, voice rising with excitement.

“Women are unpredictable, man. Like needles at the bottom of the ocean.”

“Seb, how about we make a bet?”

He slapped the table. “Let’s bet on whether she shows up at Town Hall in twenty days to finalize the divorce.”

“A bet?” Sebastian sounded intrigued.

“Yeah! I’m saying she won’t come.”

“Or if she does, she’ll kick up a fuss. No way this marriage ends as quietly as today.”

Jasper's eyes lit up. “So what’s the wager? A car? A watch?”

“No, wait—how about that new Patek you just got?”

Someone else chimed in, laughing.

“Damn, Jasper. You’ve had your eye on that watch forever, haven’t you?”

Sebastian went quiet for a few seconds, considering.

Then I heard the flick of his lighter, and his voice—cool, steady, confident.

“Alright. Let’s bet.”

He exhaled, then spoke slowly, each word deliberate, like he was narrating a scripted scene.

“I bet she’ll be there. Nine a.m. sharp, twenty days from now.”

“Dressed properly. Hair and makeup perfect.”

He paused, then added with a smile I could hear in his voice,

“No matter how much it hurts, she’ll sign the papers quietly—just like today. Not one extra word.”

“Jasper, you don’t know her like I do. You’re going to lose.”

“Damn! You’re that sure of it?” Jasper shouted, thrilled. “It’s a deal! That Patek is mine!”

The others burst into laughter, like they were talking about a game—nothing more.

To them, this wasn’t a divorce.

It was entertainment. A show.

And I was just the obedient leading lady, walking toward a stage they believed they’d written for me.