Chapter 2

I cried myself to sleep, and when I woke up, I found myself in a pitch-black room. It was only then that I realized it was midnight.

After I carefully put away the divorce papers, the door behind me opened.

Xavier entered.

“You… Why are you here?”

I flinched when I saw him. He cast me an indifferent look before gesturing for me to sit up.

“The doctor came by just now, but since you were sleeping, I told him not to disturb you.”

Then, he knelt before me and opened a first-aid kit to apply some ointment for me.

His movements were gentle, so gentle that I felt they did not resemble the gestures of a Don whose life was always at a blade’s tip.

Just like that, I felt myself caving and melting for him all over again.

Although we never had any intimate relationship in the last five years, he was very protective of me and looked after me.

If someone badmouthed me, then he would have their tongues cut off.

If I saw a piece of jewelry I liked, he would hand me his card without another word.

Back when I was traumatized and afraid of the dark for an entire month after surviving the kidnapping episode, he made sure all the lights in the manor were turned on all day and night.

It was those little acts of kindness that made me fell for him.

“Xavier, I heard Alice is going to remarry. Is that true?”

His movements stiffened upon hearing this. Then, he spoke in a lowered voice, “Who told you that?”

“I overheard some of the men talking about it.”

My voice trembled when I spoke, “I heard the suitor was an heir to a bank? I heard he's a good man…”

“Ha, a good man?” Xavier sneered and suddenly tightened his grip around me.

I gasped from the pain. He seemed to have fallen into a dark and brooding state, as if he was unable to pluck himself out of the pit of emotions.

“He doesn't deserve her. No man in this world is worthy of her.”

Then, he got up and looked at me from above. All his tenderness had vanished and was replaced by an air of authority.

“Grace, what have I been teaching you for the last five years? You should know better than to ask questions you shouldn’t be asking.”

Then, he approached the window and lit a cigar, “I know how to handle Alice’s affairs.”

I felt an urge to cry upon hearing this.

Forget it. I could no longer lie to myself.

“By that, do you mean you’re going to stop her from remarrying?”

I lost all my senses at once. All I wanted now was to get a definite answer from him, regardless of how reckless it may be.

“Xavier, you told me that you can’t handle being physical with a woman, but I saw you hugging her today! You were hugging her so tightly! You lied to me!”

The silence was oppressive.

He narrowed the look in his eyes and sneered.

“Yes, and what about it?” He exhaled a puff of smoke, “She's the only exception. I’ve wanted her since I was sixteen, but my brother swooped in and took her from me.”

My tears finally fell.

“What about me? What am I to you?”

Xavier came closer and fixed a look on me.

“You’re a good, obedient, and competent wife who does a good job at keeping the elders happy.

“I can give you all the wealth and status you need on the condition that you don’t ask for what doesn’t rightfully belong to you.

“You’ve been getting more unruly these days. I’m disappointed in you.”

He sighed and turned to leave.

I sat stiffly as I stared blankly at what was ahead of me for what seemed like an eternity before I snapped out of it. Then, I grabbed several bank statements and some title deeds from a hidden compartment in the safe.

Then, I took a deep breath before dialing a private number.

“Rosalia, please sell off all the insured jewelry pieces.”

The person on the other end hesitated before asking, “Donna, it was the Don who gave them…”

“Are you my assistant or Xavier’s?” I cut her off, “I want you to cash them out within two weeks and wire the money directly to my personal account. If he asks about them, just tell him I lost them.”

It was only a couple of gemstones anyway. He would toss me another check without even batting an eye.

Xavier thought I couldn’t survive without his money and his occasional gestures of affection given out of pity.

He underestimated me.

Not only was I getting a divorce, but I was also taking his money and leaving for good. I was going to live the life I wanted.