Chapter 2

Alex continued, "You can join us once you've finished handling things in Cresvane."

"Okay," Mabel replied. "I'll probably get there about four days after you do. See you in Mythara."

After hanging up, she gazed at Gisselle's face. "Mom, let's never come back here again. We'll stay far away, and no one will hurt you."

She kissed Gisselle's forehead gently, then left.

Mabel drew up a divorce agreement and went straight to Jessie.

Jessie worked at the same hospital but had risen to chief physician, while Mabel was only a deputy chief.

Seeing her, Jessie smirked. "Dr. Judson, thank you. I guess you won't be practicing medicine anymore."

Mabel ignored her and tossed the divorce agreement on the desk. "Have Lennon sign it. After that, whatever happens between you two is none of my business."

Jessie's eyes caught the words on the document immediately.

"Why should I help you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mabel replied flatly, "If you don't, you'll always be the mistress."

Jessie paused for a moment, then said, "You don't know, do you? Your marriage certificate with Lennon is fake."

Mabel swayed, her pupils dilating in shock. "What?"

Jessie fiddled with her freshly done nails. Her eyes were full of disdain as she said, "You really thought you married into a wealthy family? That registration was just a scam. Given the Shepard family's influence, faking a certificate at City Hall would be easy. Don't believe me? Go check for yourself."

She watched Mabel's face turn pale and rubbed salt in the wound. "Lennon knows about it too."

What Jessie didn't say was that Lennon had only found out last month. But did it matter? He still hadn't done anything.

Mabel could still vividly recall the joy of registering their marriage back then. She remembered how Lennon had driven her up to the mountaintop to watch the stars, where they kissed under the romantic night sky and promised each other a lifetime together.

And now, it was all a lie.

She laughed until tears fell. Her body swayed like she might collapse.

Mabel stumbled back to the villa while laughing through her sobs. This place was the home they had shared ever since they registered their marriage.

Since she loved grapes, Lennon planted a grapevine in the yard and set up a swing so they could go on it together every summer.

Now, she raised a shovel and struck the trellis.

It collapsed with a crash, just like her love.

Mabel tore down the massive wedding photo in the living room and burned it, along with the love letters Lennon had written her.

Just as the flames died down, Lennon returned. He frowned at the fire pit. "What's that for?"

"It's an offering for the dead," Mabel replied.

"Don't do it here," he muttered.

At that moment, the maids carried in several boxes. Jessie followed right behind.

"These are for Jessie. She got scared and needs comforting," Lennon said before glancing apologetically at Mabel. "I know you never cared for this stuff, so I didn't get anything for you."

Then, he pulled a small paper rabbit from his pocket and placed it in front of Mabel like a magician. "For you. I love you."