Selfish? Yes, that was true. It was because she loved Evan so much.

Insecure? How could she not be? Knowing that Nicole Lively was at arm's length, Shantelle's insecurity grew.

Shantelle and Evan had a relatively tranquil marriage for more than a year. It wasn't fruitful or romantic - the dream marriage she wished for, but at least they were civil. Occasionally, they spent quality time as a married couple. Occasionally, they had made love. Shantelle could tell that Evan had tried.

However, six months ago, she received an anonymous message, tipping her of Nicole Lively's return. She became paranoid. She kept prying, infuriating Evan with her constant interrogating and snooping. He started bringing up a divorce since. Eventually, whoever gave her clues sent her photos of Evan and Nicole together, having lunch or taking her to a luxury apartment building.

That was when Shantelle pursued to know where Nicole lived. So when she found out that Evan was paying for the apartment, she stormed into the apartment building and gave Nicole a piece of her mind. Shantelle made sure everyone in the building knew that Nicole was a mistress!

Naturally, Evan found out about it. That was how they wound up in their most noteworthy argument, within the living room of their villa.

So yes, she was selfish and insecure, but that was all because of her love for Evan.

What hurt Shantelle the most, however, were Evan's words. 'I DON'T. LOVE YOU! I never did!'

She thought, if there was no ounce of affection for her, then why? Why would he touch her? She ridiculed herself, still sitting on the floor. She muttered, "I guess I'm just the convenient partner."

"Of course, Shantelle. You already know this," she added. Evan had never told her he loved her. He never even said he liked her. She was just someone his father forced him to marry.

Shantelle got up from the floor when she realized the maids were staring at her. 'They must have overheard. How shameful. How pathetic.'

She picked up the divorce papers and went to the master's bedroom. It was then that she read the terms of the contract. To set Evan free, she would get ten million dollars as alimony.

Shantelle set the document aside and stood in front of a full-length mirror. Watching the stain on her face, the bags around her eyes, and her skinny frame, she murmured, "How pitiful."

Before she became Misses Thompson, she was once the most sought-after young girl in college. She could not count the number of men who confessed their love for her, yet she chose to be with a man who did not love her.

"How pathetic." She told herself. "Shantelle, you are so pathetic!"

It's fair to say that love can turn one into someone foolish.

Shantelle was only twenty-two years old. She graduated at the top of her class in biochemistry, finishing her degree in seven semesters. She wasn't supposed to be someone who felt unloved and unwanted. She was meant to be greater!

After finishing college, she was so hung up, knowing that Nicole was just around the corner, that she did not even think about herself or her career. She had always wanted to become a doctor - a surgeon, but that would mean leaving the city to pursue medicine - allowing Nicole to see her husband freely! Thus, she gave up on that idea.

After studying herself in the mirror, Shantelle looked around the room. Her eyes landed on the portrait of her and Evan. It was a picture of them on their wedding day.

She noted how she was so happy. Her eyes were gleaming in the photo, but as she glanced at Evan's face, her heart sank. In that photo, there was only hurt in Evan's expression.

Guilt washed over her. Then, after some time, she laughed. The kind of laughter that was mixed with misery. Indeed, she was pathetic. She was at fault for marrying Evan against his will. If she had said no back then, he would have been free to choose, and she would not be in such a wretched state.

Shantelle did not know for how long she reflected on her decisions in life, but before dozing off to sleep that night, she admitted, "You are right, Evan. You are right. I am to blame for this."

***

"Mrs. Thompson, have dinner. You barely ate for two days," Mrs. Shaw, their house caretaker, walked in the door, forcing Shantelle to get up from the bed.

Shantelle did not know how, but she managed with only water and bread for two days. That was how depressed she had become after Evan gave her the divorce papers.

"I brought your dinner instead, so you don't have to go out," Mrs. Shaw said.

Mrs. Shaw urged Shantelle to eat. She did not leave, making sure Shantelle filled her stomach.

After Shantelle finished half her plate, she smiled and said, "Mrs. Shaw, thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for being my constant companion here at home, but -"

The words were stuck in her throat, and she cried, saying, "I'm afraid I must leave. I'm afraid I have pushed myself too hard on Evan's life that he hates me -"

"Shhh. Mrs. Thompson. You are a good person. You just need to learn that love cannot be forced," Mrs. Shaw said. "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, then it never was."

Shantelle smiled at Mrs. Shaw. She acknowledged, "Thank you, Mrs. Shaw. I guess I know that already. I was... really hoping he would love me one day."

Mrs. Shaw nodded. She had been working with Evan's family for years. When Evan moved to his marital home, the Thompsons asked her to take care of the newlywed couple.

She had known Shantelle since she was in high school. The Scotts were constant visitors to the Thompson's home. Thus, Mrs. Shaw was aware of her kind nature, but Shantelle slowly changed since she married Evan.

Mrs. Shaw tried to mind her own business, but this time, she could not help but give Shantelle her advice. If they were both unhappy with the marriage, why stay?

"Have you decided?" Mrs. Shaw asked.

Shantelle nodded and faintly replied, "Yes, I have."

After Mrs. Shaw left, Shantelle first took out a paper and pen. Evan has been bringing up the divorce since four months ago, but it was only in the past twenty-four hours that Shantelle gave it enough thought.

She sucked in a breath and wrote a letter to Evan:

[My Dearest Evan,

You first helped me with my math homework when I was ten. Your technique for mastering mathematics was excellent. I thought you were so brilliant.

Remember when my parents were so busy because of a doctor's conference my father had to attend? Mom and Dad had to leave me in your house, and we made a mess of the kitchen, making pancakes. I enjoyed those happy times with you.

When I was twelve, our families went camping by the lake, and you saved me after falling into the water. That was the first time I felt I truly liked you. Even if I was just a kid, I was crazy about you.

I only told you about how I felt when I was thirteen because I knew you were leaving for college.

Evan, my love for you is not shallow. It goes deeper than you can imagine, but I was wrong about how I showed my love. You are right. I should not have agreed to the marriage and trapped you into such a commitment.

I've heard this line many times, but I have always denied it. Loving someone means setting them free. So, here it is. I have already signed the divorce papers.

I hope you and Nicole will find happiness. I'm sorry to have come between the two of you. Forgive me for being selfish. Forgive my childish ways.

Goodbye, Evan.

Take care.

Love,

Shantelle. ]

Dark circles formed around her eyes as Shantelle packed her bags at five in the morning. She kept returning to the closet and deciding on what to bring. Evan bought her a few dresses. Even if they were in a loveless marriage, somehow, he had thought about her.

"I think it's better not to bring anything that would remind me of Evan," she mumbled and resumed packing only those she bought with her father's money.

When she was done, she called for her father's driver and asked him to pick her up. Only then did she read the terms of their divorce. She read it once and twice until it all sunk into her head.

"You are getting a divorce, Shanty. You are getting a divorce," she repeated. "No more crying. Cry later when you are at home."

"Ten million dollars." She reread. Evan would give her ten million dollars as alimony for accepting the divorce terms.

Shantelle marked out the alimony. She affixed her signature on the correction. Afterward, she cautiously signed her name on every page and at the last part.

She felt a knife stab her heart as she affixed her signature next to Evan's. For a moment, she wondered when he had signed this contract.

When Shantelle was done, her shaking hands placed the same document beside the table, and she sadly removed her wedding ring. Tears threatened to fall again, but she held back.

Shantelle allowed herself a few minutes to take it all in. Just as she was sitting on the bed, her phone buzzed. Immediately, she assumed it was her father's driver.

To her surprise, it was the same anonymous number that had been telling her about Evan and Nicole. However, the message was bolder this time, declaring herself.

Her eyes widened at what she saw, and her heart galloped!

On her screen was a picture of Evan having coffee at an unfamiliar dining area. From the photo, Shantelle could tell that Evan had just woken up. His hair was messy, and he wore his usual office attire, except it was all wrinkled.

The message on her phone read: [No matter what you do, he will come back to me. He never loved you. Give up.]

Shantelle's face turned ghostly white. She could not believe her eyes! Apparently, her mysterious tipper was none other than Nicole Lively herself! How brazen!

Her mouth fell open as she threw her head back on the sheets. She laughed and laughed while tears streamed down her face.

After what felt like ten minutes of laughing and crying, her heart out, she replied to the message, saying: [So it was you all along, Nicole. I would never have thought. Well, you can have him. I accept my defeat.]

Either way, Shantelle had already signed the divorce papers and earnestly accepted that Evan did not love her.

For seconds, she contemplated what to do. Still, she thought it was necessary to let Evan know what Nicole had done. She took a screenshot of Nicole's message. Then she sent it to Evan.

Shantelle typed her message: [I agree to the divorce. You can have your ten million dollars. I don't need the money, Evan. I am Shantelle Scott, daughter of the world-famous cardio surgeon, Doctor William Scott. Thank you for everything, Evan, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.]

Before leaving, Shantelle made sure that Evan would get her message clearly. She wrote added instructions in her letter:

[By the way, I marked out the alimony and countersigned it. As I said in my text, you don't need to give me any money. And, I'm sorry about the picture message I sent you. I just thought you should know.]

The next call she received was that of her father's driver. She gave her room one last look before finally leaving her marital home.

***

Last night, in a private room in an exclusive club, Evan was spending time with his friends. His brown-colored eyes narrowed at his drink. His perfectly sculpted and slightly bearded jaws clenched before gulping down a full glass of hard liquor.

After settling the glass on the table, he ran his fingers through his dark brown hair and announced, "I'm divorcing Shantelle."

Dead air fell upon the room, but soon, one of his friends, Sean, asked, "I can't believe this. Are you serious, Evan?"

"He is dead serious, man. We all knew he was always envious of our single-blessed life," Wendell remarked before gulping down a full glass of wine.

"What's going on?" Keith arrived, curious about the purpose of their gathering.

Sean Ross, Keith Henderson, and Wendell Franco have been good friends with Evan since high school. They parted ways when they studied at different colleges, but they had always communicated with each other.

Sean and Wendell first glanced at Evan. Seeing he was seriously drinking his liquor, Wendell revealed, "Evan is divorcing our beautiful Shanty."

"What?" Keith asked with a frown. He sat next to Evan and poured himself a glass of wine. "Why?"

"Why not?" Evan said back. "I never wanted to get married two years ago. I was twenty-five then, at the prime of my life. I had many plans. It was all my father's doing, and she rode in on it. She is not that innocent!"

"But I thought you both were fine last year?" Sean asked. "Weren't you going out on occasional dates?"

"A few. A few dinner dates were just a front to appease my father." Evan scoffed. His response was his way of justifying his decision. "I just endured it. But now that father no longer has the stamina to run the corporation, and he has no choice but to hand me the full authority, I am free to make my own choices."

"Besides, I have had enough of her being constantly jealous and insecure!" Evan added.

There was silence between the four friends, but eventually, Keith sought, "Is this because of Nicole Lively?"

"I don't know, man. I mean, you have been spending time with Nicole lately. Plus, you kept that a secret from Shanty. It's natural for Shanty to be jealous," Wendell suggested.

"Who I make friends with is none of her business," Evan curtly pointed out and then indulged himself in another glass of alcohol. "Whose side are you on?"

The temperature in their room dropped instantly. It took minutes and a few more drinks for Sean to break the ice. He asked, "So you are only interested in becoming friends with Nicole? Or are you planning to make her your girlfriend after the divorce?"

Evan thought deeply about it. That was the plan before he was forced into marriage. Now, many things had changed, but of course, he still felt responsible for Nicole's well-being. Nevertheless, he wasn't sure how he felt about it.

Despite his uncertainties, he retorted, "Why not? I brought Nicole to Rose Hills two years ago with that intention."

Evan immediately noticed the varied expressions of his friends. Keith scoffed. Sean sneered. Wendell bit his lip. All the more irritation filled his heart.

"What the hell is wrong with all of you?" Evan cast them an intimidating glare as he questioned.

"Nothing, Evan. It's just that." Sean cautiously looked at Wendell and Keith. When he confirmed their minds were synched, he said, "We don't get you, Evan."

Keith nodded. He, for one, had known Shantelle and Evan since they were young. Evan used to cherish Shantelle, and their families always knew they would end up together. Everything changed when he came home one day and brought Nicole Lively.

"What do you mean you don't get me?" Evan, in his stern voice, sought.

"Sure, they have similarities, but if you look closely, they are so far apart. And it's not just the look; it's everything else; Shantelle's background, her character." Shaking his head, Keith said, "Let me show you, Evan." With his left hand raised above his head, he said, "This is Shantelle." Then, he lowered his right hand below his waist and suggested, "This is Nicole Lively."

"That's the difference between the two of them. Any man would want Shantelle over Nicole. We don't get how you like Nicole over your wife," Keith said in a sarcastic tone.

"Then!" Evan yelled, "Why don't you marry her?!"

Angered by his friend's idea, Evan pushed the liquor bottles off the table, spilling the contents on the tiles. He got up and fixed his coat and acted to leave.

Just when he had heard enough from his friends, Keith said back, "Are you sure about that, Evan? Because if you are not interested in Shanty, I'd be more than happy to pursue her!"

The thought of Keith wooing his wife filled his heart with fury. Keith was a known playboy. He dated women left and right! He did not deserve someone like Shantelle. He said back, "Don't even think about it!"

For an hour, Evan drove around town aimlessly, thinking about the divorce. Thanks to his so-called friends, he was second-guessing his decision.

It was past midnight when he still had no specific direction where to go.

He thought about going to a hotel or his office, but suddenly, he remembered one person who could understand him, Nicole. Thus, he drove to Nicole's apartment.

When Evan arrived at the apartment, he rang the doorbell several times. Finally, when the door opened, he saw Nicole's smiling face.

She was surprised to see him, and he could tell by how her eyes widened and gleamed. Faintly, she said, "Evan, you are here!"

"I need someone to talk to," Evan revealed. "I hope you don't mind."

Nicole quickly let him in and guided him to the living room. She said, "What's bothering you, Evan?"

Then she frowned, and with a sad expression, she asked, "Did you fight with Shantelle? I'm sorry. I don't know how she learned that I had returned. I was surprised when she came barging into my door last Tuesday."

Nicole quickly cried and said, "I should have never come back here and make trouble for you and Shantelle -"

"I've asked for a divorce," Evan revealed.

"What?" She asked in shock.

"I told Shantelle I want a divorce. Since my father stepped down at the company, he can no longer force me to stay married to Shantelle," Evan revealed, looking past Nicole.

"Are -are you sure?" Nicole inquired.

Evan groaned. He lowered his head and rested his face against his palms, saying, "It has to be done. I want out. This wasn't how I wanted my life to be."

Nicole stretched her hands to rub Evan's shoulder. She said, "I know how you feel, Evan. It's hard when everything is taken from you - like how your father deprived me of getting an opportunity here in Rose Hills. You and I both know what it feels like to be stuck in a situation you can't escape."

In a caring tone, she added, "I wholeheartedly support your decision. You deserve to make your own choices."

To Evan, Nicole was a good listener, and that always gave him a sense of comfort. It reminded him of how he became friends with Nicole in the first place.

When Evan was still taking his master's degree at Lockwood University, he met Nicole while borrowing a book from the library. She was working as a librarian there. At first, she quickly caught his attention because her back looked like Shantelle's. Besides that, Nicole was very efficient in giving Evan the books required for his research. Then, every time he visited the library, they would chat briefly.

Evan and Nicole seemed to like the same things. Outside the library, they often bumped into each other, especially in the places where Evan spent his free time. It was as if fate was bringing them together that Evan casually dated her. So when it was time for Evan to take on a more prominent role at the company, he offered to bring Nicole to Rose Hills. He wasn't sure yet of how he felt about her back then.

Nicole did not have friends or family, and Evan felt sorry for her. Evan thought, with his connections in Rose Hills, Nicole would have a better life in the city of his birth.

Unfortunately for Evan, he forgot about one thing.

Shantelle Scott.

He failed to factor in Shantelle in his decision to bring a woman to Rose Hills. How could he forget that his parents had always wanted him to marry Shantelle?

Evan could only blame the distance. He was technically gone for seven years, returning only a few days every year and forgetting about that verbal arrangement between their families.

However, before Evan could consider things thoroughly, his father acted harshly against Nicole. He looked down at her and tried to pay her off. When it did not work, and Nicole remained in the city, his father forced him to marry Shantelle.

Evan let out all his frustrations with Nicole. Feeling relieved, he said, "Thank you for hearing me out, Nicole. I'm glad I came here. Is it okay if I sleep in the guest room?"

"Of course, Evan. Technically, this is your house," Nicole replied.

Evan guided himself into the guest room. He smiled at Nicole, who was standing outside the door. He said, "Goodnight, Nicole."

"Goodnight, Evan," Nicole answered with an amiable smile.

When the door slammed shut, Nicole frowned. She was very disappointed that Evan did not let her in. She walked closer and even tried to open the door. However, it was locked from the inside.

She cussed but reminded herself of how Evan was divorcing Shantelle! She made her way to her room and mumbled, "Be patient, Nicole. In due time. The wait is all worth it."

***

In the morning, Nicole prepared breakfast for Evan. Then, recalling how Evan complained about Shantelle's paranoia, she took a picture of him while drinking his coffee.

Over the past few months, she had secretly sent clues to Shantelle that Evan had been seeing her. The photos did not have to suggest that they were in a relationship. Nicole knew Shantelle had always been insecure when it came to her.

Since Evan was divorcing Shantelle, she no longer hid her identity. 'Soon, Evan will be mine, like it should have been two years ago, bitch!'

Nicole smirked as she sent the photo to Shantelle. She gave Evan her back and awaited Shantelle's reaction.

After a few minutes, she received a response, and oh, how it was favorable to her. A sinister grin became painted on her face with the realization that Shantelle had given up!

She imagined herself living with Evan, sleeping beside him in the bed, and finally making love. Her relationship with Evan had always been ambiguous. When they were casually dating back in Lockwood City, they had kissed, but they had never gone beyond that. Evan never gave her a title, whether a girlfriend or a fling.

When Evan married Shantelle, everything changed. Evan held back with her and put a distance between them. It was worse when Evan's father banned her from the city. She could not get a job, and Erick's men constantly threatened her away.

Nicole had no choice but to stay away for over a year. Once in a while, she would reach out to Evan, but their communication was minimal.

Finally, with her back in Rose Hills and with Evan holding the CEO position of the Thompson Group of Companies, Nicole was more determined to be with Evan. She smirked as she thought, 'Soon, with Shantelle gone, Evan will remember who he truly likes, and that's me. I did not sacrifice so many years to fail!'

"Thanks for breakfast, Nicole. I better head back and remember, you have an interview at the public library. Don't worry. Father would not interfere from now on. He has become tired of fighting me."

"Really?" Nicole asked. "That's good news. That means I can finally pay you back for all the help you gave me."

"No, don't pay me back. I owe you for what my father did." Evan suggested. He then turned in the direction of the common restroom and asked, "Can I use the toilet?"

"Sure, Evan," Nicole said with a smile.

She watched as Evan first attended to some of his messages. He left his phone on the table before going to the restroom.

Nicole was cleaning the table when she saw Shantelle's message. Her hands itched to see what Shantelle had to say, especially since she had revealed herself to her. Thus, she opened the text. Thankfully, Evan's mobile was still open from his earlier use. She did not need his password at that point.

When she saw that Shantelle had sent a screenshot of her picture message, Nicole panicked. Even if she had used an alternate number, it was obvious that the picture came from her. The angle of where the photo was taken gave it away.

'Evan can't know!' She quickly deleted the screenshot Shantelle sent, including the message where she had agreed to the divorce. "Bitch! Do you think that will work?"

She laughed. She rolled her eyes and said, "Sorry, Evan will never know about it. You are such a loser, Shantelle Scott."