Three

(Lucien's pov)

I watch her walk away. Then sneered slowly, she'll surely come back, I don't have to chase her. She wasn't the type to walk away, she always stayed with me no matter what.

I'm so confident she loves me no matter what. She has been my wife for two years and she had endured my temper, my coldness, my indifference, she had swallowed every sharp edge of my character and stayed and just for a video, she won't possibly walk out of our marriage.

I took the divorce papers, reached out for a pen and signed it. I'm giving her just one day and then I'll see if she can live without me like she claimed.

My phone rang, the caller ID stored with omma. My mother called, I swiped up the green button and answered the phone call.

"Lucien, I heard your wife packed out of your house?" My mother asked, her voice laced with barely hidden, she never liked Aria, at all and it was so obvious with the way she treats her.

"Yes, mother. I slept with my secretary and somehow the video reached her. She got angry and threw divorce papers at me." I explained, my voice filled with sadness. I wasn't happy, but my confidence kept me going.

“You never deserved that poor brat anyway,” she said dismissively. “Don’t worry. I’ll hook you up with another woman, someone from a proper background, someone…”

“That’s not going to happen,” I cut in sharply. “Aria will come back. And when she does, I’ll treat her right. I’ve told you countless times that I love her. And she loves me too.”

Without waiting for her response, I ended the call.

I hated my mother for one thing, once she decided she disliked something, she would poison everyone against it. She hated Aria because she came from nothing, no wealth, no influential lineage. My mother had wanted me to marry a billionaire’s daughter, someone who matched our status.

But my heart had chosen Aria.

We had started as friends, close friends. Somewhere along the way, she became my entire world. Three months into dating, I proposed and she said yes without hesitation.

Out of frustration I loosened my tie, undressed and walked inside the bathroom to have a shower.

My ego was hurt, bruised…not scorched, it was burning because not once, in a million times had I thought Aria would walk away.

Damn it, I was just having fun for the first time, can't I even have fun because I'm married?

After one minute I turned off the shower, wrapped my towel around my waist and walked out of the bathroom.

I grabbed my phone, called her but she wouldn't pick. I sent her messages on W******p, T*****r, I*******m and all her social media accounts, every attempt failed because she blocked me already.

Does she think that would actually work for me or make me panic? Fuck… But why am I so scared that she left me for good this time? Maybe because she has never done this before, I reassured myself.

No, I won't let her go even if she wants to go.

***

(Aria's POV)

I stopped the car the moment I was far away from Lucien's mansion and I was sure no one was following me.

Though I knew he wouldn't follow me, he possibly thinks I wanna scare him just to make him beg me. Well, he'll see for himself that I am not joking…and that will shatter his stupid pride.

My phone rang in my hand, and I picked it up immediately.

“Hello, Mrs. Aria Volkov,” Devi’s cheerful voice rang through the line. “I saw your missed call.”

“I’m not Mrs. Volkov anymore,” I said, my voice trembling despite how hard I tried to be strong.

Devi burst out laughing on the other end. She must’ve thought this was another empty threat, another moment I’d forgive him and stay.

“Devi,” I continued quietly, “I found out he’s been cheating on me with his secretary. All this while, he made me feel like garbage.”

Her laughter died instantly.

“I told you that asshole didn’t deserve you,” she snapped. “Have you left him? Did you throw the divorce papers in his face? Did you kick his balls?”

Despite everything, a weak smile tugged at my lips.

“I threw the divorce papers at him and left for good this time,” I said though I wished I could kick his balls. “I’m done being a good wife. I’m done…I swear.”

“It must be so hard for you sweetheart. But you know what I'm with you, and you are not alone.” Devi said and I felt the warmth of her words in my heart.

“I wished I had listened to you all this time.” I muttered, regretting the fact that I never listened to any of my friends especially Devi who always gets my back in anything, she's the girls’ girl type of friend.

"Where do you plan to stay now?" Devi asked with concern.

"Can I stay...

"Though I'm not in the country for now but my brother is in my mansion currently, please stay there with him, if that's okay with you." She said,

"As long as it's safe” I replied, relief washed through me. “Thank you so much Devi."

I had thought of the idea of staying in a hotel for some time then start looking for a house later. Though Lucien might have always treated me badly but financially he's always settled me every month. So I had enough money to take care of myself for years.

I started the engine and headed straight to Devi's mansion. This night marks the beginning of my new life. I'm never going back to Lucien Volkov.

I'm still a young twenty six year old woman, I have a lot to achieve, a lot of dreams I buried just because I wanted to love a man who doesn't give a damn about me.

I am done being the good girl, right now I'd love to explore life once again and enjoy my life to the fullest.

I took my phone and tossed it out of the window, slipped off my wedding ring and threw it out as well.

"Goodbye Lucien."