Chapter 2

Autumn had settled hard over Port Haven, with the night wind carrying a bitter chill even a heater couldn't chase away.

Lucian lay in bed, wrapped tight in blankets, but the cold crept into his limbs anyway until his whole body felt numb. On nights like this, he craved warmth, even for just a moment.

Half asleep, he felt something warm settle in close behind him. Without thinking, he turned and wrapped his arms around it, the way a fish gasping for air finally finds water. He held the woman close, feeling her warmth. Finally, a single tear slipped from the corner of his eye and landed silently on the pillow.

As the first rays of morning light slipped through the curtains, Lucian rose carefully, trying not to wake the woman still sleeping beside him. He padded quietly into the kitchen and started making breakfast. He measured out every seasoning with care, terrified of mixing up sugar and salt again, tasting each dish before adding anything else.

The housekeeper, Emma Dalton, stood in the kitchen doorway, shaking her head helplessly as she watched him work.

Lucian arranged the plates just so, then reminded her, "If she wakes up and wants to eat, make sure you heat it back up first."

"Of course, I'll remember," Emma said.

Lucian took off his apron, rubbed his tired eyes, and changed into a suit to head to the office. Before he left, he pulled a folder from his bag and set it gently on the nightstand.

-

At Starlight Tower, Lucian called Sabrina Chase into his office. She was the company's general counsel. They'd gone to the same college, where she'd been a couple of years ahead of him.

"Sabrina, I need you to work out everything, all my shares in Starlight and every asset under my name."

"Are we talking about a notarization?" Sabrina asked.

Lucian shook his head. "After I die, all of it goes to Vivian."

Sabrina froze. She knew how sick he was, but hadn't expected him to make such a decision.

She was quiet for a few seconds before she said, "Transferring your shares like that could destabilize the company. I'd think hard about this."

"I already have."

Lucian was about to go on when his face suddenly went pale, his body swaying.

Sabrina caught him immediately, panic in her voice. "Are you alright? I'm taking you to the hospital!"

Lucian gripped her arm hard, fighting through the pain to force out a weak smile. "I'm fine. Give me a second."

Sabrina knew how stubborn he was, so she just helped him sit down. That was when the office door swung open. Vivian stood in the doorway, her eyes cold and mocking, staring at Lucian's hand still gripping Sabrina's arm.

Lucian let go immediately. Sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain, but he still managed a weak smile. "What are you doing here?"

This was the first time she'd ever come looking for him on her own.

Vivian's laugh cut through the quiet office like a blade. "If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have gotten to see this little show. Looks like Mr. Ashford and his general counsel get pretty comfortable in the office."

Sabrina's hands clenched into fists at the sudden accusation, but Lucian tugged lightly at her sleeve, a silent plea for calm.

Vivian noticed the small gesture, and it only made her angrier. "What, wasn't last night enough for you? Couldn't even wait till the office opened to get your fix?"

Lucian's face went from pale to bright red. Her words landed like needles in his chest. She always hit exactly where it hurt the most.

"If you can't live without a woman around, why even bother giving me this?" Vivian pulled out the divorce papers Lucian had left on the nightstand that morning. "Perfect timing, because I've wanted a divorce for a while now too."

She walked to the desk, grabbed a pen, and signed her name without hesitation, then tossed the papers to the floor like trash.

She shot Sabrina a cold smirk, watching her nearly shake with fury. "Ms. Chase, you can sort out the rest with my lawyer. Here's a piece of advice. This man's heart runs deeper than you'd think. Oh, right, you're a lawyer. I'm sure you're plenty sharp yourself. No wonder you two get along so well."

"Vivian!" Sabrina shouted.

If Lucian hadn't grabbed her arm, she might have lunged at her. Vivian scoffed and slammed the door on her way out.

Sabrina picked the papers up off the floor, her hands shaking. "Is a woman like that really worth all this?"

Lucian leaned back against the couch, his voice low as he replied, "Divorce is better than being widowed... She's wanted this since the day we got married. I'm just finally giving it to her."

Sabrina looked at him, her face full of quiet heartbreak. She missed the Lucian she used to know, the one who used to be bright, easy, and full of laughter. But ever since he married Vivian, he'd become a different person entirely. Even with his life slipping away now, he was still thinking only of that woman.

'If only I'd known, I would have fought for him from the start, even if he never loved me back. At least he wouldn't be hurting like this,' Sabrina thought bitterly.