Chapter 14

Gabrielle, my best friend, was the first familiar face I'd seen since waking up amnesiac. My happiness was short-lived, however, as her attitude quickly soured my mood. I didn't understand her hostility; it felt like she harbored a grudge. I took her hand, saying sadly, "I'm sorry, Gabrielle. If I've done something wrong, please tell me. Don't be upset…"

She recoiled as if disgusted, then touched my forehead. "Elise, you're not running a fever, are you?" She stared intently into my eyes. "You haven't spoken to me in five years! Weren't you content clinging to Jonathan? Now that he doesn't want you, you come crawling back?" That statement provided a crucial piece of information—five years of silence.

Her arms were crossed, her tone still sharp. "I was happy for you two when you married, but Jonathan didn't like me taking up your time. He made you report your every move! I tolerated it; newlyweds need alone time. But I couldn't stand how cold he was to you. When you were upset, I told you not to tie yourself down to an unhappy marriage. That's when he accused me of bad intentions and forbade us from seeing each other!"

"Don't tell me I agreed to that!" I protested, shocked.

She poked my forehead. "If you hadn't, would we be here?" she asked, exasperated. Then, bewilderment crossed her face. "Why don't you remember anything? Did falling into the pool scramble your brain?"

I smiled wryly. "Not scrambled, but… close."

She snorted. "I have no intention of being your backup friend. You only came to me because Jonathan dumped you, right?"

"Why can't I be the one who wants a divorce?" I exclaimed.

A bitter chuckle escaped her. "Do you think I believe that? You lost all self-respect loving him. You gave up everything! Now you want a divorce? I'm more inclined to believe he dumped you for Alicia."

"You know about Alicia?"

"I know about her, and I know that when you both fell into the pool, he saved her first." Gabrielle's anger flared. "Everyone's talking about it. You've become a laughingstock!"

Her words stung, and I lowered my head. She grew even more agitated. "You don't even know how to swim, and that jerk Jonathan knows it! You nearly drowned!" Her eyes welled up.

I looked at her helplessly, stepping forward to comfort her, but she avoided my hand. A cold voice cut through the air from the doorway. "Elise, come here."

Jonathan had arrived unnoticed, his presence radiating tension. "Didn't I tell you to wait for me at home?" His displeasure was evident.

I met his gaze, taking a deep breath. "We're about to get divorced. Where I go is none of your business."

My words darkened Jonathan's expression, and Gabrielle stared at me as if I were a ghost. "You're… really getting a divorce?"

Ignoring her, I continued to stare at Jonathan. "You want 100 million dollars? Fine. I'll find a way to get the money. Hopefully, you'll honor the agreement and grant the divorce."