Chapter 4

Kalina's POV

On the day my contract expired, the final eight-figure payment hit my account right on time. I sat on the edge of my bed and counted the zeros three times. Every last cent was there.

After three years of feeling trapped, I finally had something to be happy about.

At ten, my lawyer sent over the confirmation. Our three-year contract was officially over.

From now on, I wouldn't have to accompany Brian to parties, deal with his moods, or pretend I couldn't live without him.

I took off my watch and set it beside the black credit card and car keys. I left all the jewelry, evening gowns, and handbags in the walk-in closet.

It wasn't because I was above keeping expensive gifts. Jewelry needed maintenance, gowns took up space, and selling everything would mean dealing with paperwork.

Too much hassle. I only took my books, paintings, Muffin, and what was left of my mother's dress.

That afternoon, the movers carried out the last box.

Fiona stood by the staircase, looking a little pale. "Ms. Lawson, are you really leaving?"

"Yes."

"Does Mr. Hemsworth know?"

"He signed the contract."

She followed me to the door. "But what about the auction tonight? Mr. Hemsworth asked me to pick out shoes for you. He said he'd be back at seven to pick you up."

I glanced at the silver shoebox in her hands. "Keep them."

"I wasn't trying to take your things." Fiona bit her lip. "Are you doing this to scare Mr. Hemsworth into coming after you? He hates being threatened. If he doesn't come after you, you'll only end up embarrassing yourself."

I stopped. "Do you like it here?"

She hesitated. "Yes."

"Then it's all yours."

"What?"

"Clearwater Bay, Willowbrook, and Brian." I picked up Muffin and walked down the steps. "You can have all of it."

The housekeeper, Harlan Grant, walked me to the car, her eyes red. "Ms. Lawson, are you sure you don't want to wait for Mr. Hemsworth?"

"No."

"He promised he'd come back to pick you up himself."

I checked the time. It was 1:40 pm. My flight was at 3:40 pm.

"He can take his time. He's never been on time anyway," I said.

The car door closed. I took one last look at Clearwater Bay. I'd lived there for three years, but I wasn't going to miss it.

It had always felt more like an expensive hotel than a home. Now I was just checking out.

At three that afternoon, I canceled my phone number and boarded the plane.

Muffin lay in his carrier, unusually quiet.

As the plane taxied toward the runway, I looked out the window. For the first time, the sky in the distance didn't seem quite so gray.

…

Third-person POV

At 6:50 pm, Brian finished his meeting early and headed straight to the auction house. The set of 19th-century antique pearls was already on display.

The manager greeted him with a smile. "Mr. Hemsworth, will Ms. Lawson be joining us tonight?"

"Yes." Brian checked the time. "She's waiting for me at home."

"Several collectors have their hearts set on those pearls. The bidding could get pretty high."

"That's fine." Brian didn't seem concerned. "She's been upset with me lately. I'll buy her the pearls, cheer her up, and everything will be fine."

At 7:15 pm, his car pulled up outside Clearwater Bay. The entire villa was dark.

Brian walked inside carrying a box containing the evening gown, frowning. "Kalina."

No answer. He turned on the lights.

Half the furniture in the spacious living room was gone. The paintings, books, and furniture Kalina had bought had all been taken away.

The cat tree was gone, too, and the faint woody scent of her perfume no longer lingered in the air.

On the dining table, the jewelry he'd given her was neatly arranged beside the black credit card and car keys.

A copy of their contract lay on top. The termination date was today.

Brian stared at the date, his expression growing colder by the second. "Where is she?"

Fiona came out of her room and answered quietly. "Ms. Lawson said she was leaving."

Brian gave a cold laugh and tossed the dress box onto the table. "Where's she run off to sulk now?"

"I don't know."

"Call her." He took off his watch, sounding increasingly impatient. "Tell her the auction starts at 7:30 pm. Hasn't she been waiting for me to come home and pick her up?"

No one moved.

Brian looked up. "Did you not hear me?"

Harlan was silent for a long moment before finally speaking, her voice hoarse. "Mr. Hemsworth, Ms. Lawson left the country at three this afternoon. She canceled her phone number, too…"