[6]

“Then…” Venus rose slightly onto her toes. Beside Jupiter, she only reached his shoulder. She brushed a brief kiss against her husband’s cheek.

“See you tomorrow.”

The kiss was too fleeting to be called a goodbye—yet far too profound to be ignored. Like a boy experiencing first love all over again, Jupiter found himself frozen in place, hating the truth that such a simple touch could make his chest tremble.

“All right,” Jupiter said, forcing his voice to remain steady. “See you tomorrow.”

Venus offered a faint smile.

“Thank you for today, J. Whatever I do with you… I like it.”

Jupiter’s hand clenched tightly at his side. The words were spoken with a smile, yet the pain struck without mercy.

“I’ll let Granny know about your lunch invitation tomorrow.”

Venus nodded softly.

“Then I’ll be going.” Without realizing it, Jupiter reached out. His fingers brushed Venus’s face, tucking a slightly messy strand of hair back into place—a gesture far too intimate for someone who was about to leave. And before his mind could stop him, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“Get some rest.”

Venus closed her eyes for a brief moment, receiving the kiss as if she were storing it away for later.

“Take care,” she whispered.

Jupiter turned and walked toward his car.

He returned to the vehicle still parked in the courtyard. They should have gone inside together, should have spent what little time remained. Usually, Venus would pull out her stash of snacks and make the coffee Jupiter liked. But this time…

They had to part.

Inhale. Exhale.

Jupiter sat behind the wheel, trying to steady his heavy breathing. Through the rearview mirror, he could still see Venus standing by the door, until one of the servants approached and gently persuaded her to go inside. Only after the door closed did Jupiter start the engine and drive away.

His phone vibrated just a few hundred meters down the road.

“Yes?” Jupiter answered the call.

“Sir,” Mike’s voice came through tight and uneasy. “The Matriarch is at the office. She’s waiting for you in your study. And… she’s very angry.”

Jupiter frowned. “Why is she at the office this late?”

“I believe… she’s been trying to reach you since this afternoon, but you were unavailable. You should come to the office as soon as possible.”

Jupiter took a deep breath. “All right.”

***

The Shaw Group headquarters was nearly empty when Jupiter arrived. The executive floor, however, was different. The lights there were still blazing. The moment he opened the door to his office; a sharp voice greeted him.

“Where have you been?” Marta Shaw snapped, without any preamble.

Jupiter closed the door slowly. “I had personal matters to attend to, Granny.”

“Personal matters?” Marta slammed her palm against the desk. “Or matters that have left this entire family on edge?”

Jupiter stepped forward and bowed slightly in front of her.

“I’m sorry, Granny. I know the decision I—”

Marta’s hand struck him hard.

The old woman showed no regret in treating him that way. Since the deaths of Jupiter’s parents—her son and daughter-in-law—she had taken their place in his life. She had been strict, unyielding, and disciplined, molding Jupiter into the man he had become.

“You filed for divorce,” Marta cut in. “And you think that’s a small decision?”

“I’ve thought it through carefully,” Jupiter replied calmly. This time, there was firmness in his voice and in the way he met her gaze. “This isn’t an impulsive choice.”

“Is that so?” Marta stared at him sharply. “Then answer me this. Does Venus have anything to do with the people who killed your parents? They were my children too, Jupiter. My son and my daughter-in-law.”

Jupiter fell silent, his mouth suddenly sealed shut.

Marta rose from her chair. “Have you already forgotten the day you first introduced Venus to me?”

Jupiter clenched his jaw. How could he forget that day? The day he had shocked his entire family—because the woman he was supposed to introduce as his future wife was his fiancée at the time, not Venus.

“For the first time, I never doubted your choice of a woman you wanted to marry,” Marta continued. “Do you know why? Because she was kind. Sincere. You came to me that day with the brightest expression I’d ever seen on your face.”

“That’s not relevant to the current situation,” Jupiter argued.

“It’s the most relevant thing,” Marta shot back. “Have you learned nothing from your past mistakes? Compared to that woman, Venus is far better. And to this very day, I still believe in Venus’s kindness and sincerity.”

Jupiter turned his face away. Whenever it came to the past, Marta always brought up his failed relationship. “I’m not denying what you’re saying, Granny, but—”

“But what is the problem, then?” Marta pressed. “Do you really believe blood determines who a person is?”

Jupiter stared up at the ceiling, then squeezed his eyes shut.

“Her father murdered my parents,” he finally said, his voice low. “How do you expect me to live with that truth?”

“And was Venus involved in any of it?” Marta asked sharply. “Did she ever hurt you? Did she ever lie to you? Has she ever caused you pain?”

Jupiter didn’t answer.

“I’m hurt by this truth too, J,” Marta said quietly. “But you know, the one who must be even more shocked by all of this is Venus.” She stepped closer and gently rested a hand on Jupiter’s shoulder. “I haven’t forgotten the day I questioned her about her parents. You remember that too, don’t you, J?”

Jupiter found himself at a complete loss for words.

I live only with my mother. Didn’t I tell you that when we first met? My father? I don’t know where he is, and I don’t want to know anything about his life. I’m happy living with my mother. Oh, and… I hope I can be happy with you too.

Venus’s words echoed clearly in Jupiter’s mind.

“I—” Jupiter’s voice caught, the sentence dying before it could begin.

“Think carefully before you divorce her,” Marta said softly.

“I won’t change my decision, Granny.”

Marta looked at her grandson for a long moment. The sadness and disappointment in her eyes were impossible to hide—but this was still Jupiter’s right to choose.

“Very well,” she said at last. “If that truly is your decision, I hope you don’t regret it. Because you may not only lose Venus… you may lose your entire life.”