Chapter 2

"How can there be love when you're the one demanding a divorce!" The thought of ripping Brian's heart to shreds flashed through William's mind. It was Brian who had initiated their marriage, and now, ironically, it was Brian who was seeking to end it. And he had the audacity to question if William still harbored love for him?

Brian's face remained stoic, but his eyes hardened into icy shards. "I'll say it once more, I won't divorce you unless I'm dead!" He tore the divorce papers into confetti and flung them at Brian.

"And if you dare to cheat on me with some pretty boy!" William seized a vase from the office desk and hurled it to the ground. "I'll ensure he meets a gruesome end!" His anger blazed like an inferno, his glare burning into Brian.

Suddenly, Brian moved. He yanked open a drawer, pulled out something, and aimed it at William's head. He pulled the trigger. Bang!

Before William could register the sight of the gun in Brian's hand, a bullet whistled past his ear. His fiery rage was instantly snuffed out, replaced by a chilling dread. It felt as though winter had abruptly descended, the room's temperature plummeting.

William was in disbelief, as if he was seeing Brian for the first time. The polished, competent Brian, the gentleman everyone admired, was pointing a gun at him?

Brian reclined, legs crossed, his gaze frosty. His hand was steady, the gun aimed unflinchingly at William's forehead. He was evidently no stranger to firearms.

"Sign the divorce papers, take them to the Civil Affairs Bureau, and sever all ties between the Liu and Wang families. Now leave," Brian's voice was soft but resonant.

Swallowing hard, William felt cornered. He had weathered countless battles, but he never anticipated having a gun pointed at his head by his own husband. His life had taken an unexpected turn.

"Are you trying to intimidate me with a gun? Be careful not to strain your delicate wrist, the one used to wielding pens," William retorted, stepping forward to seize the gun. He didn't believe that Brian would dare to shoot him.

Brian held the gun steady, the click of the safety loud and clear. His gaze was unwavering. If William dared to approach, he would shoot again.

William was left speechless, his anger lodged in his chest. He was incensed by Brian's audacity. "What the hell are you playing at, Brian? I've done nothing wrong. I've handed over the family business to you, given you all the assets. What more do you want? Are you throwing away a good life for some drama? Divorce? You must be out of your mind!"

"Are you divorcing me or not?" Brian asked.

"Over my dead body! Even if you kill me, I won't divorce you!" William strode forward, grabbing the gun and pointing it at his own forehead. The distance between them had never been this close, only the length of a gun separating them. He could see his own reflection in Brian's eyes.

"Shoot! Do it!" Brian gritted his teeth, his slender eyes brimming with turbulent emotions.

"Mr. Liu! The security is here!" The secretary, who had been scared out of her wits, had run out to call for security.

Four or five security guards stood at the door, along with the secretary, all of them craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the unfolding drama. Brian withdrew the gun, rose to his feet, and straightened his suit. "Escort Mr. Wang out," he commanded.

The secretary and the security guards were flabbergasted. Mr. Wang? This towering, muscular man in military uniform, who was intimidating everyone with his glare, was... Mr. Wang?

So, this was a marital spat? But who brandishes a gun in a marital dispute? And according to romance novels, shouldn't Mr. Wang be a delicate woman in a white chiffon dress, toting a designer handbag, with lipstick and wavy hair, acting all demure? Was there such a thing as a burly and intimidating Mr. Wang?

"What are you gawking at? I am Mr. Wang," William interjected, clearly irritated by their stares. What was there to gawk at?

...

"Brian, I won't quarrel with you while you're at work. But after work, we need to have a clear discussion about the consequences of our divorce," William warned.

"I'll move out of our house today and let our parents know. Once the divorce is finalized, I'll step down from my current position." Brian said.

"Have you lost your mind? Consider our families, your position. If we divorce, you stand to lose everything."

"I don't care." Brian replied, his face devoid of emotion.

William paced around the room, completely exasperated. Was Brian really prepared to go down with the ship?

"Alright, alright, you want to play hardball? Fine, I'm game."

"Get out," Brian said, his patience wearing thin.

William walked out, but at the door, he turned back, grabbed the gun from the table, and in less than five seconds, disassembled it into pieces and tossed it into the trash bin.

"Playing with guns? Do you even know what you're doing?" He turned to the secretary. "Remember my face. I am the real Mr. Wang. If anyone dares to flirt with him, I'll break their neck."

With that, he left, his head held high. The news spread like wildfire throughout the office building. Mr. Liu's enigmatic spouse had finally appeared, and it turned out that Mr. Wang was a high-ranking military officer, a particularly formidable one at that.

When did they get married? Why were they suddenly getting a divorce?

Brian leaned against the window, smoking a cigarette, watching as William's SUV sped away. "Bastard," he muttered under his breath.

William pondered over the situation. He couldn't divorce. If he did, he would be betraying his deceased grandfather, who had held their hands on his deathbed and asked them to take care of each other. The Wang family business was vast, and as the eldest grandson, it was his responsibility to take over. If he divorced, he would be forced to retire from the military and take over the family business. That would be the end of his freedom.

Why did Brian want a divorce? Why? They had been married for three years and had never fought. Why was Brian suddenly asking for a divorce?

Right, they hadn't seen each other in three years. How could they have fought?

Had it really been three years since they last saw each other?

Brian must have lost his mind. No, there must be someone else. No one would tempt Brian to divorce. Brian, who was so grounded, would never initiate a divorce. He wouldn't be able to hold his current position as CEO if they divorced.

And would their families even agree to their divorce? Their parents had been friends for over forty years. His mother was a distant cousin of Brian's mother. They were family, bound by blood and bone. Their families had been supportive when they got married. Would they agree to a divorce just as abruptly?

"Brian, you have the audacity to threaten me with a gun for a divorce? I dare you to do the same to your mother-in-law." William muttered, dialing his mother's number.

"Mom, Brian wants to divorce me. You need to talk to him," he said, playing the victim card like a child tattling on a sibling.

Nina Li, William's mother, was arranging flowers, listening nonchalantly. "Impossible, he's just trying to scare you. You need to be more understanding towards Brian. He's not unreasonable. Don't bully him. Try to appease him."

"He put the divorce papers in front of me today. I just got back from a mission and he wants a divorce," William explained.

Mrs. Li paused, realizing that this was not a joke. The divorce papers were already out. "Oh dear, this is serious. I'll talk to him tonight. You, on the other hand, need to treat Brian better."

"Do I even have the time? I'm busy all day."

"All you know is to keep yourself busy. You can't even handle your spouse running away."

"Mom, I don't want a divorce. Please talk to him."

"He can't be serious about the divorce. He's just trying to scare you. You need to be understanding. He's been through a lot these past few years."

"He won't listen to me, mom!"

Even in his thirties, William knew that acting like a child could soften his mother's heart. "You're back? You're not rushing back to the barracks?"

"I have some time before my next assignment."

"Go pick up Brian from the office and bring him home."

"We had a fight."

"Pick him up. That's your responsibility. The fact that he's asking for a divorce means you're at fault. This is the first step towards reconciliation."

Grumbling, William drove back to the office, parked his car, and lit a cigarette as he stared at the towering building.