Love Is Out of Balance

Chapter 2

Xavier froze in place. He gritted his teeth, grabbed the two items, and stormed out of the house. I struggled to get up, washed up, and went to work. When my boss, Owen Brown, saw the bandage on my head and the bruises on my face, his eyes widened in concern.

"Grace, what happened? Are you okay?" he asked.

I forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just a few minor skin injuries. They'll heal in a couple of days. Mr. Brown, I came to talk to you about the overseas branch you mentioned last time."

Owen's eyes lit up. "So, you've decided to go overseas?"

I nodded, trying to keep my composure. "Yes, I've thought it over and I'm ready to take on the responsibility."

He seemed to remember something and asked, "I remember you said your husband wasn't on board with this. Did you manage to convince him?"

I froze for a moment before nodding, ignoring the question. Xavier's opinion no longer mattered. I could barely focus on anything else.

That afternoon, I went to the hospital for a follow-up. As I was about to leave, Xavier called.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm at the hospital, getting my dressing changed. What do you want?" I replied.

There was a long pause before he spoke again.

"Wait a moment. I'll come pick you up."

Before I could protest, he hung up. I reluctantly walked toward the hospital entrance. I was planning to take a taxi home, but Xavier arrived too quickly. He parked right in front of me.

"Get in the car."

I walked around to the passenger seat, only to see Nicole sitting in it. My heart clenched, and I shot her a cold look. Nicole immediately put on an innocent, aggrieved expression and bit her lip.

"Grace, don't be angry. I'm carsick, so I sat in the front. I'll move to the back…"

Xavier turned to her and said, "Nicole, you stay in the front. Grace, you sit in the back. It's no big deal."

I couldn't help but sneer as I climbed into the backseat. I barely ever rode in Xavier's car, and he'd even forgotten that I get carsick, too. The bumpy road made me feel even worse as I tried to hold it together. But then, something strange happened. Instead of driving to Nicole's place, Xavier turned the car toward my apartment.

As realization hit me, Xavier spoke coldly.

"Grace, go back home. Nicole hurt her foot, and I need to take care of her."

That was the moment everything clicked. He had no intention of coming home with me. I felt my stomach churn, a wave of nausea washing over me. Without thinking, I leaned forward and vomited, everything I had been holding back, right onto Xavier and Nicole.

Nicole screamed, and Xavier roared in frustration, but I just opened the door and got out, not caring about their reactions. This was my gift to them, the perfect revenge.

When I reached my apartment, I realized I had forgotten the divorce papers I'd prepared earlier. I walked inside, put the signed agreement on the table, and began packing my things. This house, which had been the backdrop of my three years of marriage to Xavier, had been tainted by Nicole. I didn't want to stay here anymore. I had promised Owen that I would go abroad to set up a new company, and now was the perfect time to sever all ties with Xavier.

I spent the rest of the night packing. Most of my belongings had already been thrown away because I had made up my mind to let go. I didn't want any trace of myself left in this house. I took one last look at our wedding photo on the wall. My hands trembled as I took it down. I ran my fingers over the faces of two smiling people, full of hope and excitement. It had only been three years, but I never imagined it would end so soon.

With a heavy heart, I stuffed the photo into a trash bag and threw it in the garbage chute downstairs.

That night, I barely slept. My dreams were filled with memories of our past, how things started out so beautifully, only to become dull, then finally turn into despair. Just before dawn, I fell into a restless sleep. When I woke up, it was already morning.

I grabbed my phone and checked the local news. There was an announcement about an international business conference happening at the city exhibition center that morning. A list of key attendees was included, and I froze when I saw Xavier and Nicole's names. The shock came when I saw the relationship label next to Nicole's name: Xavier: President of Walsh Group. Nicole: His wife.

I couldn't believe it. His wife? What about me?

I quickly dressed and took a taxi to the exhibition center. At the entrance, the security guard stopped me.

"Which company do you represent, Miss? Do you have an invitation?"

I hesitated. "I don't have an invitation. I'm here with my husband, Xavier Walsh, the president of Walsh Group."

The security guard frowned as he checked the sign-in sheet. "Miss, I think you're mistaken. Mr. Walsh's wife is Nicole, and she's already signed in."

I clenched my jaw, knowing the security guard wasn't at fault. I pulled out my marriage certificate, which I'd kept with me in case I needed it for the divorce.

When the security guard saw it, he became flustered but eventually let me in.

Inside, the emcee was introducing the keynote speakers on stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Xavier Walsh of the Walsh Group, accompanied by his wife, Nicole. Mr. Walsh is…"

Without thinking, I marched onto the stage and shouted, "Wait!"

My voice echoed across the room, startling the host and everyone present.