Chapter 5

Stepping into the home she had lived in for six years, Lucy felt an eerie sense of detachment, as if she had stepped into a distant past that no longer belonged to her.

But she had no time to dwell on sentimentality. In half a month, Camille would arrange for the accident at sea. There was still much to prepare.

First, a ticket.

If she booked a flight under her name, Steven would undoubtedly track her down.

So, she grabbed her ID and headed out.

As she passed through the living room, her mother-in-law was scrolling through her phone. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucy caught a glimpse of the screen—it was filled with children's toys.

She was probably picking out gifts for Shawn and Sharon for Children's Day.

Noticing her passing by, the older woman quickly locked her screen. "Lucy, are you heading out?"

Lucy nodded. "Just running some errands."

"Why don't you wait for Steven to come home? He can drive you."

"No need. He has more important things to handle. I wouldn't want to trouble him."

Right now, he was likely enjoying domestic bliss with his beloved wife and children.

A son and a daughter—the perfect little family.

They were the real family.

Lucy hailed a cab to the local office and handed over her documents. "Hello, I'd like to change my name."

The clerk glanced at her, then gently advised, "Miss, are you sure? Changing your name means updating your bank accounts, phone records, academic certificates—everything. It's quite a hassle. Besides, your name is already quite lovely."

Lucy smiled. "Please, just process it."

Seeing her resolve, the clerk nodded. "Alright. Here's a form—please fill it out."

She completed it carefully, pausing at the section for "New Name."

After a moment's thought, she wrote: Alina Eira

With her new identity, she would be far away from Steven, from all their memories.

Once the name change was processed, she immediately applied for a passport under her new identity. Then, using it, she booked a flight to Iceland.

When the "Ticket Purchased Successfully" confirmation appeared on her phone, a wave of relief washed over her.

It was finally coming to an end.

Turns out, giving up wasn't that hard after all.

By the time she returned home, Steven's voice was thundering through the house. "Keep searching! If anything happens to Lucy, you'll answer to me!"

The entire villa was eerily silent.

His rage hadn't subsided. "Why are you all just standing there? Go! Find her!"

His mother tried to calm him. "Getting worked up won't help. It's a lawful society. Nothing bad will happen."

"Mom, I don't care! I'm going to look for her myself."

Just as his staff rushed out, they ran straight into Lucy.

Leading the charge was Steven's assistant.

Seeing her, the man nearly wept with relief. "Madam, where have you been? Mr. Cooper has been losing his mind!"

The household staff chimed in. "Yes, Madam! If you hadn't come back, he would have turned Hartemis City upside down looking for you!"

Before Lucy could respond, she was pulled into a crushing embrace.

Steven's grip was suffocating, his arms so tight around her that she could barely breathe.

"Lucy, where did you go? I searched everywhere, the jewelry store, home—Mom said you went out, but you didn't tell me anything. Were you trying to scare me to death?"

Lucy pushed against him. "Let go."

"I won't!" His possessiveness was absolute. "Lucy, what's wrong? You've been acting strange lately…"

"It's just hormones. Mood swings."

"That's not right. Your cycle isn't due until the end of the month."

"It came early."

Steven finally exhaled, loosening his hold. "Lucy, next time you go anywhere, just tell me. I'll go with you. Don't ever disappear like this again."

She turned her face away, unwilling to meet his gaze. "I just needed some air. It's nothing."

Her mother-in-law, watching from the side, sneered, "Exactly. She's a grown woman. What could possibly happen to her? You don't need to hover over her every second—there are other people who need your attention, too."

Steven frowned. "Mom, stop."

Lucy let out a soft chuckle. "She's right. You should focus on your priorities. No need to keep me company."

"How could I not? I promised I'd always be with you."

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "Then how about this—on June 1st, when you go on that business trip, I'll go with you?"

Steven stiffened.

He let out a dry laugh. "Didn't you say you didn't want to go?"

"I changed my mind. Thought I'd go to Maldove and watch fish."

His expression turned unnatural. "Lucy, I—"

"I'm joking." She laughed lightly. "I already said I wouldn't go. Focus on your work."

She pushed him away and walked inside.

Behind her, she heard him sigh in visible relief.

"Lucy," he called after her, "our wedding anniversary is in two weeks. What do you want? I need to make it up to you."

"I don't want anything."

"That's not an option. It's our most important day."

She smiled faintly. "Didn't you already buy me a pair of rings? Where are they? Let me see."

Silence.

He had bought them.

But in the end, they weren't for her.

They were for the mother of his two children.

Just then, her phone rang.

Lucy answered. "Hey, Camille."

"Lucy, I've arranged the rescue boat for you. Everything is secure—you don't have to worry."

She wasn't far from Steven. And he had heard every word.

His brows furrowed. "Rescue boat? What rescue boat?"