Chapter 8

That evening, as Christina returned home, she received a call from Lucien, who was still at the hospital.

"Christina, I'm sorry, Vanessa… she isn't feeling well, she needs to stay in the hospital for a few more days," he said. "Her brother asked me to take care of her. I can't go back on my word. I'll stay at the hospital with her for a few days and won't be able to accompany you."

Christina's voice was calm. "It's fine, take good care of her."

Inwardly, she thought, 'Lucien, from now on, feel free to stay with her.'

There were still three days left before she would leave.

Suddenly, Vanessa sent Christina a video.

The video showed the same birthday party venue. Vanessa was wearing a princess dress, a crown on her head, standing in the middle of a pile of gifts. Lucien hugged her from behind, affectionately kissing her earlobe.

"Happy birthday, my princess," he said. "What wish do you have?"

Vanessa lifted her chin arrogantly. "I want to be like Christina. No matter what wish I make, you have to fulfill it."

Lucien affectionately pinched her nose. "Okay, I'll fulfill all of my princess's wishes."

Christina didn't reply. She quietly saved the video and then walked out the door.

She took the white paper signed by Lucien and went to the law firm.

"Miss Mason, the divorce agreement has been drafted. As soon as you sign here, your marriage will be completely dissolved," the lawyer said.

Christina nodded and signed without hesitation.

From now on, she and Lucien would be strangers.

Two days remained.

Again, Vanessa sent Christina a video.

In this one, Lucien was carefully pressing his ear to Vanessa's belly.

Vanessa smiled slightly. "The baby's only three months old. What can you hear?"

Lucien, however, said with earnest seriousness, "I heard him calling me Daddy."

Vanessa laughed, her smile widening. She shifted her sleepwear down a little. "The baby can't talk yet, but if you want to hear it, I can make it worth your while, Daddy."

In that moment, Lucien swallowed hard, turned around, and pressed her down onto the bed.

Soon, the bed began to shake violently.

"Lucien," Vanessa gasped, "not like this, don't pick me up."

Lucien's voice was low and hoarse. "Didn't you call me Daddy? Daddy hugs his obedient daughter like this..."

Christina didn't respond. She called the lawyer and sold all the shares that Lucien had given her.

Then she went to the bank, withdrew part of the money, and exchanged it for foreign currency.

On the day of her departure, Christina woke up early.

She had three things to do.

First, she took all the gifts that Lucien had given her over the years and gave them away to the servants at the villa.

The servants were both happy and confused. After all, these gifts were priceless.

Christina smiled happily. "I have something very joyful to share, so I wanted to pass on my happiness to you all. Don't feel burdened, just take them.

"Also, don't clean the villa today, don't cook, don't water the flowers. You can leave early."

The servants, delighted by this unexpected treat, thanked Christina repeatedly before leaving the villa with armfuls of gifts.

Then, she gathered all the provocative messages, videos, and recordings that Vanessa had sent her.

She printed one million copies of the messages and arranged for drones to scatter them across the city.

The videos were broadcast on the large advertising screens in the city center, playing on repeat for everyone to see.

The recordings were broadcast by a thousand loudspeakers, looping over and over in all the city's major squares.

Finally, she packed all her belongings and placed the divorce certificate on the table.

At that moment, her phone suddenly rang. It was Lucien.

His tone was still gentle. "Christina, I'll be finished here soon. Once I'm done, I'll come back and be with you."

Christina responded with a soft "Mm."

"I've prepared a surprise for you," she added.

Lucien sounded expectant. "Really? What surprise did my sweet girl prepare for me?"

Christina replied, her voice calm, "You'll see as soon as you come back."

Perhaps, if the timing was right, he would even see it on the way back — the messages, the videos, and the recordings...

Lucien eagerly hung up the phone, but Christina, with her packed suitcase in hand, walked straight out the door.

On the tree-lined path, she ran into a few neighbors.

They greeted her warmly, "Christina, are you going on a trip?"

Christina smiled and nodded in response, "Yes, I am."

But she wouldn't be coming back.

The sun was perfect today. Christina, suitcase in hand, got into the car and headed for the airport without looking back.