It was clear Michael was lost in his own world and there was no getting through to him.

I decided to just walk around him and leave.

But Michael lunged forward and grabbed my arm. "Chloe, that's enough!"

"I already told you, there's no future for us. Stop clinging to the past."

He lowered his voice. "Besides, a place like this isn't for a broke nobody like you!"

I looked at Michael, completely exasperated, and yanked my arm out of his grip.

"Sorry, but I have zero interest in you."

"And what kind of place is this, anyway? Why can you be here, but I can't?"

I gestured to the crowd around us.

"If all these people can be here, why do I have to be the one to leave?"

Michael's face flushed with agitation.

"What do you know!"

"This is the book signing for the famous author, Ava Sterling."

"It's her first-ever public appearance!"

He then gave me another dismissive look.

"You're just an ignorant housewife who only cares about money. What would you know about literature?"

"And you still say you weren't following me?"

Michael's words instantly transported me back to our previous life.

Back then, we were set up, and we married not long after.

At the time, I had no idea Michael was carrying a torch for a woman he could never have.

I just thought he was a bit cold.

His mother was chronically ill, bedridden and needing constant medication.

Michael demanded I quit my job to take care of her, acting like it was my duty.

Seeing how pitiful his mother looked, I agreed and left my job to care for her at home.

With no job, there was no income, so I had to constantly ask Michael for money.

He never said anything, but his attitude grew colder and more distant.

Gradually, in his eyes, I became just another materialistic woman who was only after his money.

And I, believing in the old adage of being a dutiful wife, just quietly endured it all.

My days were spent looking after his mother, and him.

Finally, after his mother passed away, Michael completely let himself go.

He became more and more withdrawn, drinking himself into a stupor every night.

I wanted a child, something to give my life meaning.

But Michael flatly refused.

Finally, after another one of his drunken nights, I saw him clutching a photo of Melanie.

"Melanie," he mumbled to the picture, "if I can't have children with you, I'd rather die without any heirs."

In that single moment, my heart finally died.

That’s why the very first thing I did after being reborn was to let him go.

Back in the present, Michael saw my long silence.

A smug, "I knew it" expression spread across his face.

"Chloe, just take the money and get lost!"

Melanie, standing beside him, had a malicious glint in her eyes.

"Chloe, I know Michael is successful now, and you just want a piece of it."

"But have you looked in a mirror lately?"

"A person needs to know their place."

Her voice was thick with contempt.

"I’ve never seen someone so shameless. You’ve really opened my eyes."

"Michael has been more than generous with you. Stop harassing him like a pathetic leech."