Chapter 3 The Final Push.

In an enraged and bitter state, Ariadne drove straight to Albrecht Empire, Lucien’s company and stormed inside.

If he wanted her to sign those documents so badly, he needed to tell her to her face. By himself.

She ignored the calls of every employee and stormed straight towards Lucien’s office, pushing the door open without so much as a knock.

“Lucien are you really…?”Her speech was silenced as the scene in front of her shook her mental state.

Sitting on the office couch was Lucien and right right beside him… was Octavia, his so-called first crush, cuddling up to him like smudged chocolate .

They were enjoying a freaking happy meal together, as if they were the real couple who's fates have already been predetermined by the universe.

And that scene never happened between Ariadne and Lucien. She could only ever picture it in her daydreams.

Even more hurtful, Lucien’s face, which held an emotion akin to blissfulness and inner peace, hardened up to his usual stoic one upon noticing the intruder standing at the door.

She, his real wife, now was more like the villainess who was obstructing the main character's happy moment.

“Hi, Ariadne. Long time no see.” Octavia was the first to speak, with that cloying sweet voice. She even leaned closer on Lucien, throwing Ariadne a provocative look.

What a bitch! As shameless as she was before.

Yet, the truth that hurt Ariadne the most, was Lucien didn't push her away. He didn't even bother to explain as he stared on at her with orbs devoid of any emotion towards her.

It hurt more than the usual.

Before she had the chance to speak, the receptionist and a pair of security guards rushed in, almost bumping into her. As they saw their boss, they all dipped their heads in respect and the receptionist apologized.

“Forgive me Mr. Albrecht. I tried stopping her but she kept-“

“That’s okay.” Lucien interrupted, wearing his usual icy cold tone. “I know her; she’s one of my maids.”

‘Maid?!’

Both the receptionist and Ariadne were stunned to hear that. To the receptionist, the woman before them was too well dressed, and considering the elegant temperament from her, it was hard to believe she was just a maid.

And to Ariadne, no words could tell how ridiculous she was feeling now.

As his real wife, she was called a maid by him; while that woman who was about to ruin his family, was cuddling in his arms, being believed to be his real girlfriend.

How utterly ridiculous was that!

Now, she finally knew how little respect he had given to her; even the title that she deserved, she can not preserve it. How could she be such a failure?

“I’ll handle this, you’re dismissed.” His cold words came again, and the trio bowed with tremble before closing the wooden gate and disappearing.

When the extra crowd had gone, Lucien finally rose from the couch, leaving Octavia on it alone as he approached Ariadne.

“What are you doing here?” He asked, with his voice that didn't harbor any form of concern or guilt.

Fixing her gaze on his handsome facial features, Ariadne felt a new despair rise in her throat. Even now, it was hard for her heart not to bounce for him.

“Those documents… did you really want me to sign them?” She asked, noticing her eyes start welling but trying to hold it back.

Lucien was a little surprised by the sadness and persistence flashed in her eyes, but it was just a very short moment. He stuffed his hands into the pocket of his suit pants and nodded.

“I did, so sign them while I’m still being generous.”

His words, were like a scorching hot iron rod which had just pierced Ariadne’s heart. Every breath she drew became unbearable.

‘Generous? How dare he say that?’ Ariadne couldn’t help scoffing at his words. 'What part of his act was generous?'

For the first time, Ariadne wanted to argue with him. However, before she could act, Lucien had walked past her, intending to leave.

As always, he would never have any patience to hear her finish her words and would walk out before she could tally her side of the conversation.

It always left her feeling stupid.

Octavia quickly rushed to his side and wrapped his arms, purposefully throwing a successful smile back to Ariadne.

The closing sound of the door leaving Ariadne alone with an aching heart.

***

Once again, like all the other times, the huge mansion was empty and devoid of human existence when Ariadne walked in.

Joshua-Lucien’s lawyer had already left, leaving the documents lying on the center table.

Slowly picking up the documents, a self deprecating chuckle left her lips.

50% of his properties would be transferred into her name, as long as she signed it.

What a determination! Did her presence irk him that much? Then why should he agree to marry her then?

Abandoned her real life and identity, only for the sake of marrying a man who never for once reciprocated the love she gave.

She was pitiful yet more funny.

The thought of the whole matter made her body tremble as she broke out laughing, which soon turned to hysteric sobs that allowed tears freely flow down her cheeks.

After a while, a beeping sound emitted from her phone. She wiped her face and reached for the device in her back pocket, surprised to see a message from an unknown number. And she felt anger rushing to her throat as she tapped open it.

A photo of a rather beautiful diamond ring on a female’s finger, adding with her shameless words.

‘You can try and hug the title of Mrs. Albrecht as much as possible, but ultimately it would always belong to me. Peacefully let go of Lucien while I’m politely asking. Consider this my last warning, bitch.’

No need to think and she could know who sent this. Octavia, that bitch!

How could he accept her so easily after all those horrible things?

And what had she done so bad that she needed to endure such an insult?

Was this what she deserved?

For what, the title of Lucien's wife? Her unrequited love? Or the promise she had made to his late mother?

No! None of them deserved this!

Exiting her message app, Ariadne proceeded to call the man whom she called as her husband. On the second ring, to her surprise, the line was answered.

“What is it?” On hearing the coldness in Lucien’s voice, Ariadne bit down on the inside of her lip.

He was always like this, as if she was nothing for his life.

In the process of pursuing Lucien’s love, she had been lost so far. If her parents were still alive, she would have received a scolding worth ages.

Now, it's time to come back to the right path.

Closing her eyes, she then inhaled to calm her hurting heart.

“Just one last time to confirm, Lucien..." She paused as her eyes gravitated towards the documents on the table, “This divorce, is it really what you want?”

“Yes.” He replied shortly, without any hesitation. A sad smile crept onto Ariadne's lips.

“Okay. Don’t regret your decision later, Lucien.” And with that, she hung up before he could for the first time.

Once again, it brought the house to silence- something she had now grown to hate.

Rummaging through a nearby drawer, Ariadne pulled out her favorite fountain pen and strode back towards the table.

She spared one last look at her name before signing down on her given space.

Ariadne Albrecht.

She had thought the name would suit her very much, yet it only turned out to be a joke.

Now, let her end such kinds of housewife games, and start something better to do.

Inhaling sharply, Ariadne pulled out her phone and dialed a number. In less than two rings, the line was answered.

“Be outside of Albrecht’s villa, in less than ten minutes.” Her voice was now firm and cold as she ordered.

And when she got outside, a car was already waiting for her, engines running and ready to go at any moment.

“Hello, Ms. Grey.” Michael, the driver in front, greeted the moment she comfortably slid into the back seat. “Welcome back to the single life!”

“Mhm.” She dryly answered, taking the tablet he passed her.

Catching her reflection across the screen, she suddenly felt cringing at the color of her hair and its length.

She never really liked the color brown and such long hair. How could she put up with this for so long?

God, she really should be herself once more.

Swiping her palm above the screen as she thought, the tablet came on, showing a special logo.

The Grey Enterprise. Her company.