---- Chapter 8 I wanted out the second Nadine was born. But our families, the company, the mess-it all made me stall. Mostly, I didn't want Nadine growing up asking why her dad bailed. But now she was gone. And there was nothing left holding me back. Gerard's eyes snapped wide, then he laughed- cold, nasty. "You serious? Have you lost it? "you drugged me, crawled into my bed, trapped me with marriage-played every card. Now you're over it? "Come on. Nadine dies and suddenly you're screaming divorce? What's your angle?" He never loved me. Hated Nadine even more. ---- Because she wasn't part of his plan. That day, he snapped. Stormed in, shoved me onto the bed. No love. No warmth. Just rage. I pushed him off. He thought it was some twisted flirt game. His eyes were bloodshot. He held me down like I was nothing. Every thrust felt like punishment. Like he was trying to hurt me on purpose. "Stop acting," he hissed. "Didn't you want this? Married me for this, right? Then take it. Cry all you want-just don't make me sick while I'm doing you a favor." To him, 'no' was just a dare. And I finally got it-after scrolling through Peggy's feed. ---- That day, I'd just closed my first major deal. Peggy lost her mind over it and picked a fight with Gerard. He came home fuming-and dumped it all on me. Our marriage was a sick joke. Why was I paying the price just because I once saved his dad? Why did Gerard hate me the most? Why'd Nadine have to die on a cold, rainy night? I stared at Gerard losing it, and every part of me recoiled. I turned away, knelt down, and carefully gathered Nadine's ashes. I was done here. But Peggy stepped in, arms flung wide-then dropped to her knees with a dramatic thud. "Danielle, if you're serious, let's get divorced