Chapter 3

Simone didn't go home. Instead, she rushed to Elvane overnight with Thalia's body to get an official assessment of the cause of death.

Anthony was untouchable in Avenport. She couldn't do anything to him there, but she would still fight to get justice for Thalia.

"Ms. Nolan, doing business with our boss comes with a price."

"Name your price. I'll pay up." Simone was still stunningly beautiful, but a pair of sunglasses hid her swollen eyes.

"We don't want money. Our boss wants you, Ms. Nolan." The person across from her slid a marriage contract across the table.

Simone's back went rigid, and her nails dug into her palms. She'd heard that Elvane's most elite scion was a vicious, cruel, and impotent man who was terminally ill. He was hunting for a bride to turn things around.

After a long moment, she said faintly, "Alright. I'll do it."

She'd lost everything, and she now only had one wish—to lay Thalia to rest in peace. Marrying this elite scion wouldn't make her lose anything, would it? She wasn't scared of that.

"We'll need three days to prepare. The boss will personally go to Avenport to deal with this, then bring you back to Elvane."

Simone nodded. Her throat was raw as she said, "I understand. I'll get Anthony to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible."

Three days. Anthony had set their wedding for three days from now, too.

Simone quickly signed the marriage contract. Her hair fell forward, shadowing the flash of sorrow at the corner of her mouth.

…

Anthony didn't come home that night. When he finally returned the next day, he held Winona in his arms. She'd just had surgery, and she was leaning heavily against his shoulder. Her face was pale. Her eyes were full of longing as she looked at him.

She didn't look like his sister-in-law at all. She looked much more like his bride.

Simone stood barefoot on the cold floor as she cradled her cat, Button. She listened to Anthony meticulously give the butler, Greg Smith, various instructions.

"Redo the house to match Winona's tastes. I'm going to care for her myself."

"Yes, sir."

"Winona likes white rugs, so replace this warm-toned one. She's allergic to roses; make sure there's not a single petal in this house! She's just had surgery, so she needs to stay in the warmest room with the best sunlight."

Silence descended upon the villa as soon as the words were out of Anthony's mouth.

Everyone turned to look at Simone. They all knew that she loved roses, that sunlit room, and playing with Button on that warm-toned carpet.

She lowered her gaze as she stroked Button's ear. She didn't even look up.

Anthony seemed to realize something and frowned at her. "Simone, Winona's just had surgery. You should be considerate of her."

Simone finally looked up, and her lips curved up mockingly. "If I object, would it stop you? How many of my things have you taken to give to her by now?"

Her tone was cool, but the hand hidden in her sleeve wouldn't stop shaking. Anthony had already taken her and Thalia's kidneys to give to Winona, hadn't he? Had her refusal ever mattered?

Winona's face became even paler. She bit her lip and tugged Anthony's sleeve. "Anthony, since Simone doesn't want me here, I should leave."

"Simone Nolan!" Anthony's expression went cold at once. He shot her a warning look. "Don't push it."

His words made Simone's shoulders tremble. So, a person really could be so partial to someone else. He'd given Simone's health, her right to have kids, and his love to Winona.

Even so, it wasn't enough for him.

"Fine. Give her everything." Simone turned and walked away before her tears fell.

If this love wasn't meant to be hers, then she didn't want it anymore.

…

Simone stayed in the pet room with Button. It was the only place where she could stay in that sprawling villa.

She vaguely heard Winona's voice. "Anthony, is Simone upset? Maybe you should go comfort her."

Anthony said coolly, "Leave her be. She's spoiled, so a little hardship will help wear her temper down."

Simone clutched a small box in her hands and bit her lip hard. Inside was Thalia's ashes.

"Don't cry, Simone. I'll protect you when I grow up!"

Simone remembered Thalia waving a magic wand around while clad in a hospital gown.

"Alright, I'll wait. The doctor said you'll be all cured soon. When that day comes, I'll take you to a theme park, okay?"

"Okay!"

Thalia's laughter still echoed in Simone's ears, yet in the blink of an eye, she lay in that tiny box, saying nothing at all.

Simone hugged her knees and curled up in a corner. She sobbed so hard that she couldn't breathe.

Outside the room, Anthony kept getting things for Winona to celebrate her discharge from the hospital. Their laughter rang out in waves, so lively that they seemed to be in a different world.

…

When night fell, Anthony finally returned to the master bedroom.

Simone sat by the bed. There was a pot of cold tea at her elbow. It gave off a slightly bitter scent that filled the room.

He looked at her, abruptly struck by how much weight she'd lost. Her already slender wrists looked so thin now that they were mere skin and bones. It was almost as if she would vanish at any second.

"Simone, why aren't you asleep yet?" He softened his tone and pulled her into his arms. "Don't be upset about what happened today. My brother, Andrew, died young, leaving Winona on her own. She's so frail, too.

"I'm thinking about throwing her a birthday party tomorrow. Why don't you help me plan it? You know what young women like yourself like best."

Anthony looked at Simone. His voice was brimming with excitement and joy.

Simone felt like something was lodged in her throat. She asked softly, "Do you remember what day tomorrow is?"

He frowned. "No. What?"

The color drained from her face, but she forced a smile. "It's nothing."

Tomorrow was her parents' death anniversary.

Ever since they got married, Anthony had accompanied her on visits to the cemetery each year to pay her respects. To spare her feelings, he never did anything celebratory on that day. He would just quietly stay by her side.

But now, he'd forgotten. The man who'd once loved and protected her now only had eyes for Winona.

Simone drew a long breath, suppressed her raging emotions, and took out the divorce agreement. She covered the top half, leaving only the signature line visible as she slid it to Anthony.

He frowned. "What's this?"

Before she could answer, there came a commotion outside the door. "Mr. Lancaster, something's wrong! Ms. Stone has collapsed from poisoning!"

Anthony's face instantly turned ashen. He strode out of the bedroom, crying, "Winona, what happened?"

Simone was stunned. As she rose to follow, Anthony suddenly turned back, making her jump. He shoved the door open and snapped, "What did you put in that cake you made, Simone? Winona passed out after eating it!"

He spotted the box by Simone's pillow and sneered. "How dare you poison the cake!"

She was dumbstruck. "I didn't! You don't believe me?"

His eyes were bloodshot as he jabbed a finger at Winona's bluish face and the white foam at her lips. He roared, "How am I supposed to believe you? Wasn't hurting her once enough for you?"

He didn't wait for Simone to explain. He snatched the box from the bed and hurled it out the window. "Filth."

"No!" Simone screamed and lunged for it, but all she saw was the box opening in midair. The ashes burst forth and scattered like snowflakes. They got swept away by a gust of wind until nothing remained.

She could almost hear the cracking of her heart as it smashed into thousands of pieces. Nothing could put it back together again.