Cold Seduction | Daerin

Prologue

And just like that, I'm divorced at 27.

With all due respect—no, fuck that—with all disrespect, FUCK him.

Fuck Michael. Yeah, fuck Michael fucking Everhart. How fucking dare he?

I had everything.

A husband who used to be romantic and good-looking—used to be. Now, he doesn't seem so good-looking anymore.

But sure, he was rich, tall, provided everything so I wouldn't have to lift a finger, and now?

I'm left with nothing.

This asshole, who I spent two years married to, after knowing him since high school, just decides—like it's nothing—divorcing me like it's as simple as choosing what to eat for breakfast.

And why? Because he found someone better. Someone more beautiful, more... I don't even know. Apparently, more of everything than me.

Oh, fuck him.

He treated me like a thing. A shiny new toy he got bored of. Then tossed aside when something shinier came along.

We were married for two fucking years. Two years of my life, gone.

He walked out of the courtroom. His smirk saying it all—like he won something. Like I was never worth anything to him at all.

I storm over, fists clenched. I want to slap him, punch him, kick him—hell, I want to kill him.

I grab the nearest thing—a plant, a fucking potted plant—and hurl it at him.

The pot shatters. People are screaming, rushing over to stop me.

"YOU FUCKING DICKHEAD!" I scream my lungs out. "I FUCKING HATE YOU!"

He just stands there, grinning like the asshole he is. He's enjoying this a little too much. He enjoys watching me lose it, watching me fall apart in front of everyone.

I've never felt so small, so pathetic in all my life.

That's when Minji appears. My best friend. My lawyer. Thank God for her.

She steps between us, calm as ever, pulling me back gently.

"Danielle, just let him be. He's not worth it."

"You don't get it, Minji!" I sob, pushing against her as if I can somehow make her understand. "I gave him everything! Everything! And he... he just—" My voice breaks, and I dissolve into tears. "How could he do this to me? After everything?"

Minji's hands are soft on my shoulders, grounding me. "I know, Dani, I know." She wipes away my tears with a napkin.

"I hate him, I hate him so much, Minji. "He treated me like I was nothing! Like I didn't matter at all! I was his wife, for fuck's sake! How could he just leave me?"

Minji listens, nodding quietly. Her eyes full of understanding. She's been my rock through this whole shitshow.

The one thing keeping me together when I feel like I'm falling apart.

"I gave him two years. Two fucking years! We've known each other since high school, and he can just... simply walk away like I never meant anything to him."

"I know, Danielle. I know," Minji repeats.

She must've had enough of my drama but keeps on being so calm, so patient throughout everything.

Maybe I should have married her instead. But ew. No. We're friends, and that's how it's always going to be. I appreciate Minji too much to ever mess that up.

"I don't have anything now," I whisper through my tears. "Where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to do?"

I break down completely then, sobbing like a child in her arms.

"There will always be a way. We'll figure it out together," Minji says softly, her hand moving in soothing circles on my back. "He's not your whole world, Dani. It's not the end of everything just because he's gone."

I nod, gripping her tighter as I wrap my arms around her too.

Minji's always been a good hugger. Hugging her feels like hugging a bear. Like really.

But seriously, what the fuck am I supposed to do now?