Chapter 2
Daphne looked up again, her expression shifting to a calmness that felt almost indifferent
“What do you mean? Yancey frowned, thrown off by her unexpected demeanor.
Daphne steadied herself on the handrail as she rose, her gaze icy and distant. Her voice was flat as she replied, “Mr. Goodman, do you not understand plain language is ‘divorce‘ that hard to wrap your head around?”
Her words created a divide, making Yancey feel like he was just a stranger to her instead of the man she had called her husband for three years.
Instinctively, Yancey clenched his fists, his eyes clouded with a storm of unspoken emotions. Ignoring the sarcasm in Daphne’s tone, he pressed on. “You want a divorce?”
Daphine took her time brushing off some dust from her dress, her tone careless. “Making space for your new love–doesn’t that sound like what you really want!”
Now that Hannah’s back, only makes sense for to me step aside, doesn’t it?” A super formed on her lips, though she quickly masked it with a forced smile that betrayed no warmth.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Goodman. I’m not the type to cling or beg,” she said, her voice steady but cold. “This marriage is a mistake. Let’s just act like it never happened. In the future, we’ll be strangers”
Yancey stared at her and frowned deeper, his lips parted but no words came out
Daphne headed toward the spiral staircase yet paused for a last look back at him. “Tomorrow, I’ll have someone bring the divorce papers over. Please remember to carve out some time from your busy schedule to sign them.”
Without waiting for has reply, she turned and walked away, disappearing from his sight.
Yancey stood there for what felt like an eternity, staring at the scattered papers, replaying the remnants of their last conversation in his mind–this seemed to be the first that she had spoken to him like this.
‘Isn’t divorcing Daphne and being with Hannah what I’ve wanted? So why do I feel this deep sense of loss, like I’m about to lose something precious? Yancey wondered.
He closed his eyes, struggling to navigate the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. After a moment of contemplation, he turned and walked straight out of the villa.
The cold night wind blew in as Daphne stood by the bedroom window, watching the fading outine of Yancey’s car until its roar gradually disappeared.
She shut her eyes for a moment, memories flashing through her mind like aslideshow. Those moments she once cherished now felt like needles stabbing her heart, leaving her with a despair that felt almost like death.
After a long pause, she dialed a number, speaking into the phone with exhaustion and a hint of longing “Grandpa, I want to come home.
The line was silent for a couple of beats before Matthew Sheppard’s trembling voice came through, filled with concern and sympathy. “Then come back, dear. Home will always be waiting for you.”
In that instant, all of Daphise’s bravado crumbled to dust. She felt a sharp pang in her chest as tears streamed down her face it was time to end this wrong marriage for good.
The next morning, Philip Sheppard called over. “Dapline, are you up? I’m bringing some men to help you move,”
Even though they were cousins, Philip always treated Daphne like a sister. If it hadn’t been for Daphne’s stubbornness, the Sheppard family would never have allowed their cherished girl to marry Yancey.
Daphne sipped her warm milk, smiling. “I don’t have much stul Just come to pick me up with a driver.”
Philip replied cheerfully, “Okay. All that old stuff isn’t worth keeping anyway. I’ll buy you new things when you get settled.”
Daphne was used to Philip’s generous gifs, like a rich uncle spoiling his niece. After some lighthearted banter, they ended the call.
As Philip said he’d be there in an hour, Daphne headed upstairs to get ready.
She put on a stunning red dress and styled her hair in soft waves. Her perfect skin looked great without makeup, just a little light pink lip balm highlighted her natural beauty, giving her a relaxed yet polished appearance.
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10:51 AM a
Chapter 2
When she heard a car pull up outside, she assumed it was Philip. Crabbing her ID, she paused in her room, taking a last look around the space she had called home for three years. Then she shut the door and made her way downstairs.
High heels thudded sofily against the carpet, making a muffled sound. Daphne glanced down, frowning–she was wearing flat–soled shoes.
Just then, Hannah’s overly sweet voice broke the villa’s silence. “Yancey, you need to get rid of that woman’s things quickly. We can’t let her dirty our place.”
She affectionately looped her arm through Yancey’s, waiting for a response. After a while, she looked up and found him staring ahead. Following his gaze, she saw Daphne leaning against the banister of the spiral staircase.
In her red dress, Daphine’s tender skin seemed to glow even brighter. Her cascading curls fell gracefully over her shoulders, framing her delicate face, making her look enchanting, like a princess from a fairytale.
Hannah clenched her jaw, jealousy flashing in her eyes–a moment Daphne caught instantly.
With a smirk, Daphne looked down at them. “So, Mr. Goodman, are you eager to show off your new plans with your love already!”
The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable. Normally, Yancey wouldn’t stand for this kind of attitude, but today, he merely frowned and said, “Daphne, come down here.”
Daphne raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Mr. Goodman, what position are you giving orders from My ex–husband, or…
She let the question hang, shooting a pointed glance at Hannah. “Or the cheating husband?”
“Your” Hannah exclaimed, furious, Just as she was about to throw insults, she remembered Yancey was right there. She quickly turned to grab his arm, crying out, “Yancey, look how rude she is.”
Yancey’s eyes darkened, his voice stern. “Daphne, don’t push it,”
“Me over the top?” Daphne scoffed, a mocking laugh escaping her lips. “Yancey, aren’t you embarrassed saying that? You cheat on me and leave, yet you think I should be begging you to stick around! Who do you think you are?”
Who’s being unreasonable here? Doesn’t he have a bit of self–awareness? she thought, feeling it ridiculous.
Hannah, looking shocked, chimed in, “Daphne, how can you say such harsh things?”
Daphne shot her a sideways glance. “Just zip it. The air is already bad enough”
Hannah paused, forcing a smile as she tried to keep her sweet and innocent image in front of Yancey. “Daphne-
But before she could finish, Daphne cut her off. “Cut the act. We’re not that close.”
Hannah was taken aback, her voice shaking as she gripped Yancey’s sleeve. Josking genuinely hurt.
Yancey clenched his jaw, fixing his gaze on Daphne. After a long silence, he finally said, “Daphne, is this truly who you are?”
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